Barnes Big Band Returns to St Nicholas Church
16 piece ensemble joined by vocalist Vanessa Rose for Spring concert
Members of the Barnes Big Band
March 21, 2026
St Nicholas Church in Chiswick is to host the Barnes Big Band for an evening of high-energy jazz, classic swing and standout vocal performances. The 16-piece ensemble, one of southwest London’s most respected community big bands, will perform on Friday 17 April at 7.30pm, with doors opening at 7pm and refreshments available.
The Barnes Big Band has been a fixture of the local jazz scene for more than twenty years, bringing together some of the finest amateur and semi-professional musicians in the London area. Known for its warm brass sound, tight ensemble playing and accessible repertoire, the band performs everything from Count Basie and Duke Ellington to contemporary big-band arrangements written specially for them by musicians associated with the group.
The band is led by trombonist Andrew Butcher, who has played with the ensemble for nearly two decades and took over leadership in 2018 from the late Stan Reynolds, a celebrated trumpeter with the internationally renowned Ted Heath Orchestra. Under Butcher’s direction, the band has continued to evolve its sound while maintaining the classic big-band tradition that has made it a favourite across Barnes, Chiswick and Richmond.
Joining the band for this concert is acclaimed jazz vocalist Vanessa Rose, whose rich, soulful performances have made her a familiar presence on the West London jazz circuit. She will perform a selection of vocal favourites made famous by Natalie Cole, daughter of the legendary Nat King Cole. Rose has appeared several times with the Barnes Big Band over the past year.
This year’s programme will also pay tribute to two giants of jazz history. The band will perform works by Miles Davis, marking 100 years since his birth, and by Gordon Goodwin, the celebrated bandleader and composer who died earlier this year. Audiences can also expect music by classic big-band arrangers such as Quincy Jones and Sammy Nestico, whose work remains a staple of the genre.
Tickets are £15, or £8 for under-25s, making the event an accessible evening of live music for all ages.
The concert is organised by the Friends of St Nicholas Church, with proceeds supporting the upkeep of the historic riverside building.
St Nicholas Church is at Church Street, Chiswick, W4 2PJ.
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