Live jazz with a Middle Eastern inspired menu

The James Taylor Quartet [Funky Acid Jazz] * TUESDAY *

The James Taylor Quartet [Funky Acid Jazz] * TUESDAY *

Doors at
7pm (Diners)
7:30pm (Standing)

Performance from 8pm 

Seating is reserved for diners only
Please ensure you book the correct ticket – view menu

Seating Plan


The James Taylor Quartet  * TUESDAY *

[Tickets for Wednesday show here]

“James Taylor is the best Hammond player this side of the Atlantic”  – Craig Charles BBC6 FUNK AND SOUL SHOW  

“Never less than an impressive demonstration of virtuosity”Andrew Mueller, Uncut  

James Taylor, one of the great British instrumentalists of his generation, has taken his trademark howling Hammond sound to the masses for over 25 years; still famed for its upbeat, energetic live shows…with no sign of slowing down. The band’s relentlessly entertaining tunes take inspiration from the rare-groove style funk, and boogaloo funk of the 60s and 70s and the band is, without a doubt, one of the most important jazz-pop crossover outfits in  British live musical history today.  

After the collapse of mod legends The Prisoners in the 1980s, and before moving to Sweden, James recorded some demos with brother David on guitar, the bass player from The Prisoners, and a drummer from down the road… and thus The James Taylor Quartet was born. From tiny acorns mighty oaks do indeed grow, and it wasn’t long before the first single, Blow Up, had been released, the band was in the studio rehearsing for the Mission Impossible EP, gigs were booked, and the late great John Peel was offering a  session.  

Skip forward 25 years and JTQ has evolved into one of the most exciting and well respected touring bands in the UK. With numerous albums to its name,  the band’s recorded output is not to be scoffed at. ‘Prolific’ is an understatement, with albums touching genres as diverse as jazz, funk, soul,  rock, and even rap, not to mention a handful of library albums in between. Each album is an absolute must for any Hammond fan: James’ playing provides a solid and accomplished lead as always. Live, the band is explosive, with a breathtaking, diverse unmatched back catalogue.  

JTQ’s fired-up signature tune, The Theme from Starsky and Hutch, cemented its reputation as a master of the jazz-funk-r’n’b workout; 60s spy themes, psychedelic, and free-form jazz all added something to the band’s distinctive sound. Originally playing the Hammond B3 organ in the UK mod revival band  The Prisoners, James Taylor formed his own quartet and began playing music similar to the rare-groove jazz funk then in vogue around London. By the early 90s, that movement had spawned acid jazz, and JTQ found itself at the forefront of a vibrant young club scene. The first single, Blow-Up, was released on the Re Elect The President label, a precursor to Acid Jazz. The band’s debut album, Mission Impossible, was released the following year,  predominantly consisting of covers of 60s film themes such as Alfie, Mrs  Robinson and Goldfinger. In the early 1990s, the single Love The Life reached the Top 40, and the accompanying album, Supernatural Feeling, settled in the  Top 30 UK charts. After releases on Polydor and Big Life Records, JTQ  returned to Acid Jazz, and In The Hand of The Inevitable remains the label’s biggest selling album to date.  

In 1997 James had the chance to fulfill a dream when he was asked to score the theme tune to Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, the spy spoof starring Mike Myers and Elizabeth Hurley. JTQ’s Whole Lotta Live album was nominated for a MOBO award in 1998, and the following year James featured on Tom Jones’ duet’s album, Reload. James’ musical talent has been admired by numerous other acts: The Wonderstuff, Manic Street Preachers, The Pogues and U2 have all featured James and his distinctive Hammond sound on their albums.

“James Taylor..one of the all-time great Hammond players” – Nicky Wire from the Manic Street Preachers, NME  

“Taylor’s organ sound first sears the ears and then goes straight to the feet”Garry Booth, BBC Music Magazine  

“Taylor is one of our finest jazz organists… A musician who has forged his own path… His playing is snappy and crisp…” – David Lands, Jazz Journal  

https://www.jamestaylorquartet.co.uk/jtq/


Date

28 Jan 2025

Buy Tickets:

Book Event

Standing (main area) £20

Doors open at 7:30pm | Performance from 8pm
[Please note: Seating is reserved for diners only - purchase a 'Dining' ticket instead if you require seating]

Available Tickets: 78
The Standing (main area) ticket is sold out. You can try another ticket type. We occasionally have extra availability or cancellations. please contact bookings@peggysskylight.co.uk
Dining (main seating area) £30

Doors open at 7pm | Performance from 8pm
This ticket is for diners only and ensures reserved seating (food not included in price)

Available Tickets: 0
The Dining (main seating area) ticket is sold out. You can try another ticket type. We occasionally have extra availability or cancellations. please contact bookings@peggysskylight.co.uk
Dining (window seating area) £30

Doors open at 7pm | Performance from 8pm
This ticket is for diners only and ensures reserved seating (food not included in price)
(Some seating may have a slightly restricted view)

Available Tickets: 0
The Dining (window seating area) ticket is sold out. You can try another ticket type. We occasionally have extra availability or cancellations. please contact bookings@peggysskylight.co.uk

Ticket and Venue information:

TICKET TYPES

  • Standing (main area) – these tickets are for our designated standing area: please be mindful of obstructing the view of seated ticket holders
  • Dining (main seating area) – You can request to be seated in ‘Dizzy’ (raked theatre), ‘Mingus’ (near piano) or ‘Duke’ (side wall). Whilst we can guarantee that you will have a table, we cannot guarantee exactly where, as we do our best to fulfil all customers requirements
  • Dining (window seating area) – you can request to be seated in ‘Ella’ (by the fireplace) or ‘Satchmo’ (by the windows). Please note, a few of these seats have a restricted view
  • Dining tickets come with table service.
  • If you are hoping to combine bookings or join an existing booking then please let us know in advance as we cannot guarantee that changes to our table plan will be possible on the night
  • You can view a seating plan here

SPECIAL ACCESS NEEDS

  • Please email bookings@peggysskylight.co.uk to reserve a suitable seat for you and your party
  • We have an accessible toilet on the ground floor

CONCESSIONS 

  • Concessionary tickets (if available) are for anyone under 26; over 65; receiving Universal Credit or in possession of a current NUS card
  • If concessionary tickets are purchased alongside seated tickets, then you will all be seated together. Should your booking consist entirely of concessionary tickets, these will be allocated as standing by default. You can request seating, subject to availability.

Comments are closed.