Photographs from Chiswick Jazz Festival 2025

Chiswick Jazz Festival 2025
Saturday 10th of May
1-9pm

St Peter's Church, Acton Green
Southfield Road W4 1BB

Programme

1.30pm-2pm - Chiswick School Jazz Band

2.30pm - 3.30pm - Tobago D'Lime - Calypso Band

4-5pm Winnie Ama

5.30pm - 6.30pm - Renato D'Aiello and his Trio with Serge Marlaud, special guest

7-7.30pm Barry Sutton

8pm - 9pm - Louise Balkwill

Renato D'Aiello

Renato D’Aiello has become known as one of the strongest and most beautiful saxophone sounds around. His treatments of jazz standards, and originals, both live and on cd, have won great admiration from audiences and the press.
Renato studied with jazz masters Sal Nistico and Steve Grossman – he’s since performed with many illustrious artists: Art Farmer, Kirk Lightsey, Keith Copeland, Duffy Jackson, Jim Mullen, and Gary Husband to name a few.
He has played in most of the major venues and festivals in the UK, and in Japan, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Norway, Italy and Finland.
Since 2010 Renato has been running a very successful Monday night upstairs at Ronnie Scott’s in London.
As a teacher Renato has been teaching in most of the best Jazz schools in Italy, then Goldsmiths College in London, Sherborne College and done many master classes in Japan, UK, and across Europe.
“…a superlative saxophonist with a passionate and poetic soul. He has all the virtues – a beautiful sense of time and pacing and a technique which effortlessly projects his brilliantly flowing ideas.” Ian Carr
“D’Aiello’s weighty, behind-the-beat sound shows how a poetic imagination can rekindle a long-gone style without nostalgia” John Fordham, The Guardian
“…you’re in the presence of a master improviser.” Jazz UK
“His solos tell a story. Their lines unfold with a natural flow” Evening Standard
”Relaxed, unhurried but imbued with intense warmth tinged with poignancy, D’Aiello’s tenor sound thus prioritises the expression of sentiment rather than the demonstration of instrumental facility…one of the most attractive and affecting tenor sounds in contemporary jazz.” Chris Parker, Jazz CD review
with Neil Angilley: piano • Rick Finlay: drums • Phil Scragg: bass

Serge Merlaud

A jazz guitarist and composer known for his delicate touch and lyrical phrasing, Serge Merlaud has earned a reputation for his ability to blend rich harmonies with understated elegance, on both electric and acoustic guitar. His collaborations with Tierney Sutton highlight his sensitivity as both an accompanist and a soloist, creating an intimate musical dialogue that enhances each performance. With a career spanning decades, Merlaud has worked alongside numerous jazz luminaries, bringing a refined and emotive approach to every project. In 2023, Merlaud released "Nur" (“lumiere”), a double album of his original compositions. Whether interpreting classic jazz standards or crafting original music, his artistry reflects a deep respect for the tradition of jazz guitar as well as something entirely new and his own.

Calypso Band Tobago D'Lime

Tobago Crusoe is a calypsonian, composer, musician and performing artist who has been a master of Calypso for over 30 years. Learning his trade among the greats of Calypso music in Trinidad, he was crowned "Calypso Monarch" in 1983. Tobago and D'Lime were initially put together by Damon Albarn (Gorillas, Blur), who was sourcing musicians for the Paddington Bear films. Their joyful renditions of The four calypso songs in the movie, ‘London Is the Place for Me’, ‘Gerrard Street’, ‘Blow Wind Blow’ and ‘Savito’ were so warmly received, they have since gone on to perform at venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, and will appear at Cheltenham Festival later this year. In addition to Tobago on vocals and guitar, the lineup includes Antonio Miguel Barradas-steel pan/percussion, Felix 'Lix" Ruiz-keyboards/vocals, Curtis Ruiz-bass/vocals, Richard Bailey-drums and Tim Cansfield-guitar/vocals. Of Afro-Caribbean & French creole origins, calypso music later migrated to the UK and beyond as part of the Windrush generation, becoming hugely popular.

Louise Balkwill

Award-winning jazz vocalist Louise Balkwill brings passion, personality and flare to Europe’s most highly regarded stages with her fresh take on vocal jazz and blues.

London-based jazz vocalist Louise Balkwill has been making waves on the European jazz scene, captivating listeners with her charismatic, blues-infused, honest and virtuosic-yet-unpretentious take on vocal jazz.

Her performance at Riga Jazz Stage 2022 guided Splendid Palace’s thousand audients on a journey through raucous laughter and heartfelt tears, winning her first prize in the jazz vocal category. She has since become a household name on the European jazz scene, with performances on some of the continent’s most iconic stages, including Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club (London) and Nardis Jazz Club (Istanbul). Louise also regulary appears as the soprano and tenor deputy of The Puppini Sisters, who are regarded as the world’s leading close-harmony group counting King Charles, The Manhattan Transfer, Hugh Laurie, Gary Barlow and Michael Bublé amongst their fans.

Balkwill’s admirers include the likes of Leroy Jones (trumpeter to Harry Connick Jr., with whom she released the single “Sweeter Than A Summer Breeze” in May 2023 featuring her own lyrics on Jones’ melody), alongside jazz cream cream of the crop Deedee Bridgewater, Liane Carroll, Ian Shaw, Claire Martin and the late Dr. John.

Winnie Ama

Belfast-born Winnie Ama is a Northern-Irish-Ghanaian singer-songwriter who blends soulful vocals with conscious lyrics and pop, disco, and dance music. Inspired by jazz legends Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Nina Simone, she began as a poet, transitioned to songwriting, and later pursued singing with her debut release in 2020. Later, she caught the attention of Macy Gray and Sister Sledge opening for both their shows. She also gained recognition from BBC Introducing ATL as a rising star and headlined the BBC Introducing Stage at Latitude. She earned the RTE2FM 'Rising Artist' status, delivered a TEDxStormont talk, and received a 'Rising Star' gold disk from Ditto Music. In 2024, she was recognized as 'One to Watch' by The Belfast Telegraph and The Irish Times. This year, she debuted at SXSW Texas, showcasing her upcoming debut album due October 2025.

Beyond performing, Winnie Ama advocates for diversity and inclusion in the music industry as a data analyst for the Why Not Her? movement and she mentors aspiring artists. She also hosted a radio show on Colourful Radio, spotlighting new talent, and has DJ'd at renowned venues including The Southbank Centre and Electric Picnic.

Chiswick School Jazz Band

Chiswick School Jazz Band is only a year and a half old, but bursting with energy at every performance. The band made its debut last year at Chiswick Jazz festival and performs year round at local community events. Please email enquiries@chiswickschool.org if you would like to book the band for an event or private function.