Click here for our Public Gigs
We are an Oxford-based 1920s/30s Jazz Band playing the beautiful music with authentic swing, elegance and joy
Scott Joplin's famous rag "The Entertainer" played by Nick Gill
Carolina Shout played by Nicholas Gill Keswick Jazz Festival 2007
Oxford Classic Jazz provides musicians highly skilled in the joyful style of pre-war jazz, offering anything from solo 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.
The young chaps of The Oxford Classic Jazz Band giving a storming rendition of "It Don't Mean a Thing if it ain't got that Swing" by Duke Ellington
Nick Gill - solo piano
Classic Jazz Bands
A medley of jazz favourites played by Nick Gill and Caroline Watsham (including some musical saw!)
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!"
"Nick Gill is the best ragtime piano player I've heard for a long time." - Bob Wilber
Holly Taylor singing Anything Goes
Tiger Rag played by OCJ quartet
Blue Skies played by Oxford Classic Jazz (trio)
We're not 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 videos of the young chanteuse Holly Taylor singing with the band at public fund-raising concerts.
Music file >
Music File >
Nick Gill playing and singing
Glad Rag Doll with his amazing hi-tech Megaphonic Device
All Together Now!
It's nice to hear people singing along like they did at this concert:
"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!"
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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 -
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 -
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 newlywed)
