Martin Connor & His Band
Martin Connor is a powerful soul vocalist and songwriter, with roots and inspiration in Soul, Jazz, Gospel, Hip-Hop, and Reggae.
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Martin Connor is a powerful soul vocalist and songwriter, whose raw talent and attitude to his music has earned him a fantastic reputation among audiences and fellow musicians alike. With roots and inspiration in Soul, Jazz, Gospel, Hip-Hop, and Reggae, Martin and his 4-piece band take to the stage to fill the room with a hugely rich and well-defined sound which demonstrates the passion and prowess of this group of musicians.
Nick Dewhurst Band
Jazz, Fusion, Funk and Pop. Expect to hear a mixture of the band’s spin on pop tunes from the 80’s through to today, Nick’s original tunes, plus some jazz standards!
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The Nick Dewhurst Band plays Jazz, Fusion, Funk and Pop. Featuring a group of musical friends who all met through the Birmingham Conservatoire and West Midlands jazz scene, you can expect to hear a mixture of the band’s spin on pop tunes from the 80’s through to today, Nick’s original tunes, and some jazz standards for good measure!
Expect the night to start off with some of Nick's original jazz and fusion tunes, but then get your dancing shoes on as the evening gradually develops into a big Saturday night party, with pianist Tom Lindsay singing some classic pop and soul tunes, and the band playing some great arrangements of big pop tunes by artists such as Basement Jaxx, Moloko, Pink, Stevie Wonder, and lots more!
Charlie Cooper & The CC's
Charlie Cooper and the CC’s not only to fill the room with classic soul meets rock’n’roll hits from across the decades, but to also some of Charlie’s utterly distinct original tunes.
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Charlie Cooper writes vintage soul, updated perfectly, sung with deep and husky soul-pipes! Not only comparable with classic voices like Dusty Springfield and Shirley Bassey but also up there with modern soul divas Alice Russell and Sharon Jones, Charlie is a vocal force to be reckoned with. The songs emerge from another time, influenced by the classic songwriting and arranging of Bacharach and Hal David, accompanied by grooves akin to old school Stax and Motown. Charlie invites you in for a glimpse into her mind and her world, whilst her band ("The CC's") kick it like Booker T and the MGs.
Expect originals and covers which take the evening from kick-backed admiration to the talent to dancing the night away to some of your favourite tunes from across the decades! Charlie and the band are expert musicians who truly know how to get the crowd going with their rock ’n’ roll grooves.
Dana Ali Band
Dana Ali band take elements of Soul, Jazz, Blues and R&B with Latin and Funk Rhythms to create a fresh and distinctive sound.
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Dana Ali is an American Neo Soul artist, singer songwriter from Atlanta, GA. Dana Ali band take elements of Soul, Jazz, Blues and R&B with Latin and Funk Rhythms to create a fresh and distinctive sound. The Dana Ali band have been touring the UK extensively and in the course of their musical career, Dana Ali Band has won over the hearts of music lovers from all walks of life. Performing at a variety of venues, Dana Ali Band has earned the admiration and affection of countless fans, serving as both inspiration and role model.
Taking her influences from the likes of Aretha Franklin, Eva Cassidy and Roberta Flack, you can expect a wonderful evening of enjoying Dana and the band’s one-of-a-kind take on the most loved songs from across the decades as well as some of the band’s brilliant originals.
The Swing Commanders
The Swing Commanders are a stunningly vibrant and versatile group that perform an exciting mix of 1940s Classics, Boogie-Woogie, Western Swing, 50’s Jump Jazz and more!
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On many an occasion, The Swing Commanders have raised the roof of M&P’s and kept each and every audience member dancing the night away. This was no exception.
The Swing Commanders are a stunningly vibrant and versatile group that perform an exciting mix of 1940s Classics, Boogie-Woogie, Western Swing, 50’s Jump Jazz and more! Every member of the Swing Commanders sings and plays at least one instrument, sometimes three! Yet what makes them stand out even above their incredible music ability and performing skills is their joie-de-vivre.
People who experience the band for the first time are amazed at the energetic showmanship, the instrument swapping, the intricate arrangements, and sophisticated vocal blend.
Backstage Brass
With funky, beat-driven arrangements of classic and modern pop tunes, Backstage Brass are sure to bring the party atmosphere to wherever you may be!
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With funky, beat-driven arrangements of classic and modern pop tunes, Backstage Brass are sure to bring the party atmosphere we’ve all been waiting for to our little jazz club! The mighty 6-piece line up is sure to fill the dance floor from the get-go, with their unbelievably huge repertoire spanning many styles.
Aiming to please everyone lucky enough to experience Backstage Brass, their repertoire covers everything from Etta James, to Britney Spears, to Darude (yes, that one), to Camilla Cabello, to Foo Fighters… and everything in between. We have no doubt this is going to be a BIG night at M&P’s.
Franny Eubank & His Blues Band
A hugely popular lyricist and harmonica player, Franny and his band never fails to ignite the atmosphere at the club delivering a one-of-a-kind and truly authentic night of Blues.
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Anyone who has experienced a Matt & Phred’s Blues Jam will agree that no one quite gets the show started like the one and only Franny Eubank. A hugely popular and talented lyricist and harmonica player, Franny never fails to ignite the atmosphere at the club delivering a one-of-a-kind and truly authentic night of Blues. Come along, have the dance of your life, and enjoy a full band performance like no other. Franny could keep you entertained but solo, but no need: for this gig he is joined by three of Manchester’s finest Blues-ers.
Fuelled by the Blues of Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson and fired by the Devil himself, Franny’s Harmonica and deep, soulful vocals have set rooms alight with a blue flame night after night after night. If there’s one man and his band who can get an instant grin on your face and leave you wanting more, it’s Franny Eubank & His Blues Band.
Speakeasy Bootleg Band
Speakeasy Bootleg Band are brass-heavy purveyors of the "Finest Quality Bootleg Music Since Records Began.... Distilled & Bottled in New York and Chicago".
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Speakeasy Bootleg Band are purveyors of the "Finest Quality Bootleg Music Since Records Began.... Distilled & Bottled in New York and Chicago", but consumed wherever finer things are appreciated. Firm favourites of M&P audiences, Speakeasy Bootleg Band play a heady mix of Jazz, Jive and Harlem swing; the vintage sounds of the Cotton Club and Birdland. A first-rate combination of irresistible brass, powerful bass, explosive drums and sophisticated witty vocals to make your Saturday night a hugely fun affair.
This is the music of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Louis Jordan, Cab Calloway, Billie Holliday, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey and Count Basie, with a bit of stylish Rat Pack thrown in for good measure, the retro tunes which drove Tin Pan Alley and created the Great American Songbook.
With the members of the band having an abundance of musical experience, you can truly sit back and appreciate just how spectacular a performance Speakeasy Bootleg Band bring to the stage. Not only masters of their repertoire, but hugely entertaining showmen sure to keep the smile on your face in between songs. Feel like you’ve been thrown back to the times of prohibition as you enter our dimly lit Jazz club with one of the finest Jazz and Swing bands around filling the space with their mesmerising sound.
The Big Easy
The Big Easy perform the best swing from throughout the 20th century; covering repertoire from the early days of jazz, classic New Orleans tunes and lively jump-jive.
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The Big Easy are an energetic swing band from Leeds, consisting of vocals, trumpet, saxophone, double bass and drums. Their repertoire is carefully chosen to give a lively and varied performance of the best swing from throughout the 20th century; covering repertoire from the early days of jazz, classic New Orleans tunes and lively jump-jive.
Since its birth in the 1920s, swing has been music for celebration. The Big Easy have taken some of the greatest tunes by the giants of swing; Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima, Nina Simone and many more household names, added their own interesting arrangements to bring you a set of the finest swing tunes. The Big Easy has been busy since 2014, playing at some of the UK’s top venues, festivals and touring throughout the UK.
Their dynamic, energetic and often virtuosic performances make them great to watch; their high-energy swing interspersed with moments of soulful-melancholy are sure to make your Saturday night entertainment something truly special.
The Horse Puppets
The Horse Puppets bring together steel guitar, violin, piano, double bass, and goosebump-inducing vocal harmonies, described as The Lumineers meets Fleetwood Mac.
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The Bytheways consist of Helen and Paul Bytheway who front both covers band The Retrosettes and original indie folk band The Horse Puppets (both of whom have played at Matt & Phred’s many times). The married couple have had an eventful musical career so far including an appearance in a film in Switzerland with Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel, a stadium tour of Europe with Simply Red and Lindsey Stirling, private parties all over the world and an album released through Universal records in Germany.
During lockdown 2020 they played a live stream from their home studio in Manchester every Friday for a whole year, as well as taking on a challenge of filming and sharing 100 songs in 100 days on YouTube. This all helped to grow a fanbase for the quirky acoustic duo. At Matt & Phred’s expect songs from their back catalogue, including artists such as Bowie, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, Blondie, Fleetwood Mac etc etc.
Loud Noises
Loud Noises are a feisty brass outfit conceived on the streets of Leeds who unfailingly showcase a powerful combination of gutsy brass playing and daring repertoire.
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Loud Noises are a feisty four-piece brass outfit conceived on the streets of Leeds in 2016 who unfailingly showcase a powerful combination of gutsy brass playing and daring repertoire. The combination of trumpet, trombone, bass saxophone, and drums come together to create a sound which can be described as classic New Orleans musicianship meets your absolute favourite cult classic tunes from across the decades.
With stunning showmanship and crowd engagement from the offset, expect a night of tunes ranging from the likes of Michael Jackson, to The Spice Girls, to Lady Gaga, to the Back Street Boys, and so very far beyond. Loud Noises have raised the roof of Matt & Phred’s each and every time they have played at the club, and it’s always a pleasure to invite them back to our little jazz club.
The Gelatos
The Gelatos are a high-energy, all-singing Jazz quartet playing the all-time classic songs of the 40’s and 50’s with an Italian twist.
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The Gelatos are a high-energy, all-singing Jazz quartet playing the all-time classic songs of the 40’s and 50’s with an Italian twist. The 4-piece ensemble never fails to put a smile on every audience member’s face as they play their masterful mix of tunes guaranteed to get you dancing in your seat. Playing favourites from the likes of Louis Prima, Benny Goodman, and Count Basie to name but a few, The Gelatos stunning musicianship and witty showmanship is sure to make your Friday night count.
All four band members have a wealth of musical experience spanning multiple ensembles and collectives. It truly is a treat to see them all come together in displaying their one-of-a-kind performance, sure to make you feel like you’ve travelled back in time to a 50’s swing club.
From beautiful, laid back slow and more romantic numbers all the way through to high-tempo, quick-stepping jump jives, The Gelatos are a truly electric and fun collection of musicians who will take you on an unforgettable journey through the music of the time period.