Watch some delightful videos on this site or come to one of our public gigs!
We are a genuine Oxford-based 1920s/30s
Jazz Band playing the beautiful music with
authentic swing, elegance and joy
Oxford Classic Jazz provides musicians highly skilled in the joyful style of pre-war jazz, offering anything from solo acoustic jazz and ragtime piano to duos, trios, quartets and larger bands as required. Booking any Oxford Classic Jazz outfit guarantees an upbeat ice-breaking atmosphere for any social event at benign volume levels. We have studied to excellent standards the pre-war jazz styles from New Orleans, Harlem and Dixie with the added delights of Blues and Boogie-Woogie. We can also be an effective Swing Band for lindy hop and jazz jive dances.
We're happy to travel reasonable distances outside Oxfordshire.
To hire the jazz band or solo piano player, click here for booking enquiries:
Saturday November 16th
2019
11am - 1pm
Jazz Brunch -
The Life and Songs of Hoagy Carmichael
An appreciation of one of the greatest song writers ever to have lived. The Oxford Classic Jazz Trio will play songs such as "Stardust", "Georgia", "The Nearness of You", "Heart and Soul", "Skylark" and many more in their uniquely spontaneous foot-tapping melodic style.
Venue: West Oxford Community Centre, Botley Rd, Oxford OX2 0BT
To reserve a seat email
Click here to see all forthcoming public gigs
Enjoy our
Latest video
Honky Tonk Train Blues Played by
Nick Gill and Caroline Watsham
To play real jazz you need real instruments -
an acoustic piano is provided free at every performance.
No cheesy keyboards! (It may seem bonkers but it's the only way...)
A word from Nick Gill, solo jazz piano player and organiser -
"I am sometimes quite surprised at how popular the “old jazz” is when played at social occasions. Everybody seems to lighten up and the response is always hugely enthusiastic. Older people at wedding receptions perhaps appreciate that the music is authentic, skilful and never too loud…How often have I been thanked by a relieved customer at an anniversary party who has suffered with heavily amplified music at other events!"
Holly Taylor singing Anything Goes Tiger Rag played by OCJ quartet
Younger people are often beguiled by the irresistible swinging rhythm, which they may never have encountered in the modern age of loud computerised music. This is made possible thanks to my Amazing Portable Real Acoustic Piano, which I take to all venues lacking an instrument.
It Don't Mean a Thing (OCJ quartet) at the Calne Jazz Club and a solo performance of The Entertainer
You wouldn’t believe how many messages of appreciation we have received for your music. Despite the chat volumes, you gave the party a real buzz and as many have observed, set the tone from the moment they got out of their cars and heard the jazz wafting over the hedges!
Best Wishes,
James Hicky
Latest Solo Piano Video -
a steady prowl through "Piccadilly" with an irresistible lurching swing...Enjoy!
Dear Nick,
I want to say a huge thank you for your amazing performance on Friday night. Your ragtime piano really made the evening go off in style - Egyptomania has turned out to be one of the most successful LiveFridays we have ever had at the Ashmolean, and the talented performances were central to that. It was wonderful to have you as a part of the programme, thank you!
All the best, Lucie
Blue Skies played by
Oxford Classic Jazz (trio)
We ain't just doing this for the money - we just love to play - to play for all kinds of people and events - so please don't be shy, get in touch.
Two recent videos of the young chanteuse
Holly Taylor singing with the band at public fund-raising concerts.
"Nick, I can't tell you HOW fabulous you were on Sunday, and how crucial your presence was at the breakfast! You elevated the party from a sort of chilly, damp, rainy, dreary picnic to a festive, entertaining, and sort of surreal party! Everyone was v. impressed, and the best part was that with your cheerful music around me I was able to relax enough to really enjoy it and speak with everyone..."
(email from a newlywed)
Over twenty years of professional playing I have found classic jazz and ragtime to be ideal for all sorts of events. Some elegant Scott Joplin goes very well with dining. The genteel songs of Irving Berlin, Gershwin et al can make a perfect accompaniment to a relaxed after-dinner dance. Fats Waller and Louis Armstrong are the ultimate inspiration for a serious bit of partying!"
All Together Now!
It's nice to hear people singing along like they did at this concert:
Nick Gill playing and singing
Glad Rag Doll with his amazing hi-tech Megaphonic Device