Jemima coulter & Essy Sparrow

Join us for an evening of live music with Essy Sparrow and Jemima Coulter.

Line-up Change
Please note a change to the evening's line-up. Unfortunately, Lily Lyons is no longer able to perform alongside Essy Sparrow. While we're sorry that Lily can no longer join us, we're delighted to welcome Jemima Coulter, who will now be performing with Essy Sparrow.

Essy Sparrow is a multi-disciplinary artist and songwriter creating gossip-filled nostalgic indie folk from her coastal studio in Cornwall. In 2025 she played Boardmasters with BBC Introducing, supported Tors and Semler, joined Lily Lyons in opening for The Staves and sold out her 200-cap London headline at St Mary with All Souls.

Jemima Coulter is a multi-disciplinary artist working in impressionistic, dreamlike territory, turning disconnection and uncertainty into something stranger and more magical. Alongside their work with Hailaker, Coulter writes and produces largely alone at home, weaving studio recordings with iPhone voice memos and layering vocals over synths, piano, and guitar to create something intimate, playful, and entirely their own.

Before the performance by Essy Sparrow & Jemima Coulter, we'll be joined by Anya Wilding, who will be hosting a free collage craft table in our ground floor studio from 6:30pm. Everyone is welcome to drop in and take part before the show.

The Nutshell Jazz Club: Emerging Sessions
Joe Evans Sextet: Messengers and More

Exciting young jazz trombonist Joe Evans brings his all star sextet to the Nutshell Jazz Club.

Hailing from Southampton, Joe graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in 2025 and is now based in London. Joe has worked with the likes of Giacomo Smith, Joe Webb, Mark Nightingale, Dave O’ Higgins and with groups such as the BBC Big Band, Nikki Iles Jazz Orchestra and the Simon Spillet Big Band.

The band will present the Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers album “Caravan” along with original compositions by Joe.

Joe Evans - Trombone
Gabriel Taylor - Trumpet
Toby Evans - Tenor Saxophone
Toby Evans - Guitar
Guy Dempsey - Double Bass
Kai MacRae - Drums

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB

Join us on the third Thursday of every month* for an evening of Jazz, bring your own food and drinks a plenty in an intimate cabaret style setting.

In partnership with Winchester Jazz Festival and Alex Western-King we will host some of the UK’s best Jazz musicians on The Nutshell stage.

*please check dates as due to holiday season we will occassionally shift from the third Thursday!

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB: James Owston Quartet

With a technical fluidity on his instrument, and strong connection to various forms of improvised music, James has built a reputation as one of the most in demand bassists in the country, drawing on his many influences to develop a sound that is stylish, virtuosic and captivating. “His tone big and resonant, his time keeping immaculate and his solos highly dexterous and consistently engaging” (The Jazz Mann). His extensive performance CV shows collaborations with notable artists such as Paul Dunmall, Jay Phelps, Mark Lockett, Neil Yates, Roger Manins, Xhosa Cole, Alex Clarke, Greg Abate, and many more.

With firm roots in bebop and the jazz tradition, James is heavily influenced by Ray Brown, Charles Mingus, Oscar Pettiford, Charlie Haden, and other pioneering bassists, as well as current greats including Larry Grenadier and Robert Landferman. He draws inspiration from modern and contemporary music, as well as his experience on the free improv scene, in his approach to improvising and writing music. In 2018, James was a finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician Award, performing at the Queen-Elizabeth Hall with Gwilym Simcock and Asaf Sirkis.

The past 2-3 years have seen James step forward as a band leader, composing for a variety of ensembles. After touring with his trio in Autumn 2023, he started focusing on his quartet for which he wrote the suite of music ‘Songs from an Imaginary Childhood’. This music was a commission from the Jazz Central Mentorship Programme and features Alex Western-King (Saxophone), Nick Manz (Piano) and Matthew Holmes (Drums). The compositions took inspiration from the juxtaposition of seeing the world from a child’s perspective and that of an adult’s, focusing on specific examples personal to James. This music was recorded in 2024 and is set to be released as James’s first record as a leader in 2026.

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB

Join us on the third Thursday of every month* for an evening of Jazz, delicious food (bring your own / order in) and drinks a plenty in an intimate cabaret style setting.

In partnership with Winchester Jazz Festival and Alex Western-King we will host some of the UK’s best Jazz musicians on The Nutshell stage.

*please check dates as due to holiday season we will occassionally shift from the third Thursday!

Music and Dance in Support of Ukraine

Hydeout and CHERVONA RUTA invite you to: Music and Dance in support of Ukraine

Come and join Hydeout, Ukrainian Dance Group CHERVONA RUTA and guest singer Larisa Sotnikova for an evening of Music and Dance in aid of Ukraine.

The fabulous team from CHERVONA RUTA along with special guest singer Larisa Sotnikova will present a sequence of vibrant Ukrainian dance and song, bringing centuries-old traditions to life at the Nutshell - with a chance for you to join in!

Hydeout are a 5 pieceWinchester based band covering an eclectic mix of sounds you know and love, songs you’ll want to listen, sing and dance to-all the way from Olivia Rodrigo and Miley Cyrus to Amy Winehouse, Stereophonics and U2.

The Nutshell bar will be open + feel free to bring your own supper to the Nutshell

All proceeds from tickets and donations* will go toConvoy4Ukraine(C4U).

C4U fundraise to buy 4x4s and ambulances, fill them with essential items such as medical equipment, food, and other humanitarian aid, and drive across Europe to deliver the supplies and vehicles to Ukrainian partners before returning home - see www.convoy4ukraine.com.

The WUCA is a non-profit community group formed with support from Winchester City Council and Community First which aims to support and give a voice to Ukrainians and host regular events in conjunction with the Ukrainian community.

*ticket donations via box office booking site go to Discarded Nut CIO
*charity donations made during the event go to Convoy4Ukraine

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB: Out Front

A UK jazz super group, Out Front originally formed to play the music of two of jazz's greatest 'inside-outside' composers; Booker Little and Andrew Hill. With roots anchored in the the work of these two masters, they now present sets of entirely original music, composed by multiple members of the band. They are touring throughout 2026, showcasing music from their debut album, ‘Buried Webs’.

Featuring a rich line-up of three horns, drums and bass, the band draws on years of collective experience at the highest level of jazz and improvised music, exploring a full spectrum of possibilities, from joyous straight ahead time playing, to the most open of improvisation.

Nick Malcolm – Trumpet
Jason Yarde – Alto Saxophone
Jake McMurchie – Tenor Saxophone
Olie Brice – Double Bass
Dave Smith - Drums

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB

Join us on the third Thursday of every month* for an evening of Jazz, delicious food (bring your own / order in) and drinks a plenty in an intimate cabaret style setting.

In partnership with Winchester Jazz Festival and Alex Western-King we will host some of the UK’s best Jazz musicians on The Nutshell stage.

*please check dates as due to holiday season we will occassionally shift from the third Thursday!

CLOWNING WORKSHOP

To be a clown is to embrace the freedom and joy of your own glorious foolishness.

There is a clown that lives inside each of us. This clown is full of life - it is beautiful and hilarious.

This introductory workshop is a chance to invite your clown out to play. To jump into a space of presence, chaos and delight, and discover more of what makes each of us uniquely funny and loveable.

The clown reunites us with our innate curiosity and allows us to befriend parts of ourselves that we judge or stifle. It invites us to rediscover wonder.

Susanna Hamnett fell in love with the open-heartedness of the clown over thirty years ago when she began studying and working with master clowns John Turner and Michael Kennard in Toronto, and it has infused her theatre work and teaching ever since. 

This workshop is suitable for anyone 18 and up. No previous experience of clown or theatre needed. It is limited to 18 participants

Warning: this workshop carries a high risk of laughter and fun.

You can read more about Susanna’s work here: www.susannahamnett.com

Please note: if you sign up for the workshop, I will write to you towards the end of April with more information (what to wear, what to bring etc), so do look out for an email from this address: susannadayhamnett@gmail.com

Nearly Lear

 Performed by Susanna Hamnett
Written and adapted from Shakespeare by Susanna Hamnett & Edith Tankus 
Directed by Edith Tankus    Additional direction by Steve MacGregor

What if the great and tragic story of King Lear were told through the eyes of his closest companion? In this dynamic one-woman tour-de-force, Susanna Hamnett plays the Fool (and every other character) to tell a story that – with an exuberant blend of tragedy and humour – honours Shakespeare’s language while taking a bit of poetic licence. By turns poignant, mischievous, tragic, and hilarious, Nearly Lear is a very personal journey into the heart of Shakespeare’s play. 

This award-winning and internationally acclaimed ‘mighty theatrical force’ has enthralled audiences from Toronto to Aberdeen, and from Broadway and the Kennedy Center to the Sydney Opera House. It is the winner of the prestigious IPAY Victor Award for Outstanding Production, was named a 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Outstanding Production, and in 2024 won the Best Show Award at the Riverside Studios London Bitesize Festival.

MRF Festival 2026 presents: Come & Sing – Come & Play

For the first year since its launch in 2014, our Annual Festival will be in Winchester. Featuring will be London Contemporary Ensemble Quartet: Madeleine Mitchell & Gordon MacKay - violins, Bridget Carey - viola, Joseph Spooner - cello. String quartet of outstanding and experienced British chamber musicians was formed in 2019.

The 18.30 concert will include music from their up-coming release, and new pieces for String Quartet by our 4 award-holders: Ernest , Immy, Tasha & Matthew.

Also in the concert will be performances of contemporary pieces workshopped earlier in the day in our...

Come & Sing, Come & Play!!

• String players are invited to join theFestival String Ensemble, led by LCEQ, pieces to include Samuel Barber's famous Adagio for Strings, and new work for strings, specially written for the Festival by Simon Speare - composer-mentor, and by MRF alumnus Joe Jolliffe.

• Singers are invited to join the Festival Choir - exploring rounds and canons and to work up contemporary pieces, by composers including Benjamin Britten and Dr Alison Willis - composer-mentor.

• The Finale will be for choir and strings, by Vaugham Williams.

• Workshops for singers and string players will start around 12noon.

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB:
The Fraser Smith Quartet

London based Tenor player Fraser Smith has been playing professionally across Europe and beyond for the past 20 years. His latest album Lifeline! was recently added to The Times and Jazzwise 'Best Jazz Albums of 2025' lists, receiving a glowing 4 star review from each. 'Fiery and energetic hard-bop',  the band's previous album Tiptop!, received coverage from the Guardian, Jazzwise and Hi-fi magazine and amassed 1.3 million streams.

This year Fraser will release his most ambitious project yet featuring US sax legend Harry Allen. The album was recorded in Paris with a carefully selected European rhythm section and will be released on French record label Zoot!. Also this year Fraser will be joining Living Jazz legend Chuck Israels (John Coltrane, Bud Powell, Billie Holiday, Bill Evans) as part of his European Quartet. 

Fraser Smith Quartet play straight ahead jazz, firmly rooted in the golden eras of bebop/ hard bop and swing. 

Fraser Smith - Sax
Rob Barron - Piano
TBC - Bass 
Steve Brown - Drums

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB

Join us on the third Thursday of every month* for an evening of Jazz, delicious food (bring your own / order in) and drinks a plenty in an intimate cabaret style setting.

In partnership with Winchester Jazz Festival and Alex Western-King we will host some of the UK’s best Jazz musicians on The Nutshell stage.

*please check dates as due to holiday season we will occassionally shift from the third Thursday!

Last Unicorn Airways

This heartwarming show is perfect for families and young children aged 4-9, and disabled children of all ages who experience complex and multiple barriers to access.

Take flight with Last Unicorn Airways!

Join two playful baggage handlers as they unpack a globe-trotting adventure from a magical final flight, where every suitcase tells a story. Among them is The Flying Trunk, a spellbinding Arabian Nights-inspired tale of a daring storyteller and his enchanted flying suitcase, adapted from Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless tale.

The show uses playful storytelling to remind us to see everyday life as an adventure and to cherish our world and each other. It’s a heartwarming reflection on courage, connection and resilience - perfect for families and children, including those with complex needs and disabilities.

Stick around after the show to explore an immersive, hands-on sensory installation that brings the journey to life!

This performance will take place in our ground floor studio which has level access.

Half Moon Presents Last Unicorn Airways - A spellbinding sensory-immersive journey around the world. A Blanket Fort Club production for ages 4+

Cinderella Ice Cream Seller

Little Seeds Music presents Cinderella Ice Cream Seller.
Written by David Gibb.
Suitable for ages 5+.

Get your dessert spoons ready for a tale of perseverance, princes, palace balls, glass slippers and, um, ice cream?

Over the last four decades, Cinderella’s has become the kingdom’s most beloved ice cream company, with a parlour on every street corner. But how did a humble street seller with not a penny to her name end up as a multimillionaire business woman with her own ice cream empire?

In this new musical for families and children, join Talvi and Caldwell, loyal employees of Cinderella’s, as they share her rags to riches tale, and confront their own desires, hopes, and the magic that lies within each scoop of Cinderella’s legendary ice cream.

Little Seeds Music specialise in inspiring young people and families through music and theatre. Established in 2015 with the mission to provide children and families with unforgettable, high quality musical experiences for all generations to enjoy and share together, their work is supported and recognised by Arts Council England and they have created work in association with Half Moon Theatre, Z-arts, The Story Museum, and The Met, Bury.

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB:
The Harry Cristelis Quartet

Harry Christelis and his quartet perform music from Preserving Fictions, a captivating blend of jazz, folk, and ambient soundscapes. Expect inventive interplay, haunting beauty, and deep emotional resonance from this remarkable group of musicians.

Guitarist and composer Harry Christelis presents his new album, Preserving Fictions — an exploration of how music and art can serve as a means to preserve and document the seeming truths we see, hear, feel, and experience every day. This record, a continuation and development of his 2025 EP Half Truths (recorded during the same session), sees Christelis delve deeper into a sound world that has become synonymous with his name, fusing elements of jazz and folk traditions with ambient drones and delicate electronic textures to create a truly immersive listening experience.

Featuring his long-standing quartet of Christos Stylianides (trumpet/effects), Andrea Di Biase (double bass/synth), and Dave Storey (drums), the highly acclaimed musicians constantly break free from their traditional roles within the jazz idiom. Instead, they embrace a deeply communal approach to improvisation, colouring, shaping, and delineating every moment of each piece together. Across the adventurous 58-minute album, the listener is taken on a journey that moves through dreamy psychedelic trips, expansive soundscapes, delicate moments of intimacy, and furious bursts of energy — all seamlessly bound by a tone that holds sombre and hopeful feelings in harmonious equilibrium.

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB

Join us on the third Thursday of every month* for an evening of Jazz, delicious food (bring your own / order in) and drinks a plenty in an intimate cabaret style setting.

In partnership with Winchester Jazz Festival and Alex Western-King we will host some of the UK’s best Jazz musicians on The Nutshell stage.

*please check dates as due to holiday season we will occassionally shift from the third Thursday!

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB:
The Alex Merritt Quartet

This exciting new quartet - by Bristol-based saxophonist and composer Alex Merritt - brings together four distinctive improvisers, and voices on their respective instruments, to interpret original material of Alex’s that draws inspiration from both classical composers such as Maurice Ravel, Olivier Messiaen and Henri Dutilleux as well as a host of contemporary jazz influences.

The line-up features the wonderful Elliot Galvin on piano (Shabaka Hutchings, Norma Winstone, Marius Neset), Will Harris on bass (The Jazz Defenders, Matt Anderson, Simon Gardner) and Jeremy Stacey on drums (Soft Machine, Jason Rebello, Noel Gallagher.)

This quartet builds on the success of Alex’s former quartet release ‘Anatta’ (2016) a record that featured legendary American drummer Jeff Williams.

Since this time Alex has also released two albums for the prestigious Barcelona-based label Fresh Sound New Talent; ‘Mind-Ear-Ladder’ in a co-led quintet with trumpeter Steve Fishwick (2022) and ‘Common Threads’ with the Fresh Sound Ensemble (2023).

Alex is now relishing the opportunity to get back to the classic quartet format with this brilliant line-up and is excited to bring some new quartet material to The Nutshell as part of a larger nationwide tour ahead of a recording later in 2026.

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB

Join us on the third Thursday of every month* for an evening of Jazz, delicious food (bring your own / order in) and drinks a plenty in an intimate cabaret style setting.

In partnership with Winchester Jazz Festival and Alex Western-King we will host some of the UK’s best Jazz musicians on The Nutshell stage.

*please check dates as due to holiday season we will occassionally shift from the third Thursday!

TALES FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE

Little Seeds Music presents Tales From The Lighthouse.
Written by Oliver Bishop.
Suitable for ages 5+.

Prepare yourself for a musical voyage full of stories, songs and the sea...

Upon a distant shore, a lonely lighthouse keeper has grown fearful of the sea and its wild and stormy nature. But when a mysterious stranger appears with songs of the sea’s magic and power, the keeper is forced to confront his fears and slowly rediscover the beauty of the ocean that surrounds him.

Featuring storytelling, traditional music, original songs and spellbinding puppetry, this is the perfect show for anyone captivated by myths, magic, music and folklore.

Written and performed by Oliver Bishop, with original songs by David Gibb, and live music from two-time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Nominee Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne, Tales From The Lighthouse is the perfect voyage into the world of theatre, puppetry and music for children aged 5+ and their families.

Little Seeds Music specialise in inspiring young people and families through music and theatre. Established in 2015 with the mission to provide children and families with unforgettable, high quality musical experiences for all generations to enjoy and share together, their work is supported and recognised by Arts Council England and they have created work in association with Half Moon Theatre, Z-arts, The Story Museum, and The Met, Bury.

The Lodger + Live Score by Minima

London is being terrorised by a Jack the Ripper-style murderer, 'The Avenger', who targets young blonde-haired women.

A mysterious new lodger arrives at the home of Mr and Mrs Bunting, whose daughter Daisy is being courted by a policeman on the case. When the lodger begins behaving strangely, he attracts suspicion, particularly when he shows an interest in Daisy...

This screening of the original 1927 Alfred Hitchcock film will feature a new music score performed live by acclaimed soundscapers Minima, a Bristol based quartet who use instrumentation including cello, double bass, baritone guitar, acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, autoharp, dulcimer, synthesizer, glockenspiel and drum kit to create a unique live experience. Rated PG.

Polly Gone Wrong: Album Launch Party

Three voices, no instruments, just the odd stamp of a clog or the ripping of paper - Polly Gone Wrong have been bemusedly delighting audiences since 2018 and have recently supported This is the Kit, Jesca Hoop and been featured on a Sam Lee track.

Intricate vocal harmonies, joyful banter and all the noises, they will "make your spine tingle, knock repeatedly on your funny bone, and leave you wanting more.’ Audience reflection

Kate, Kate and Polly enjoy nothing more than beautifully disrupting the folk scene with their mix of joyful realness and intricate vocal compositions. This year working with Niko O’Brien (Upcycled Sounds, Pony Studios) to produce their second album that weaves folky/ poetic storytelling with Camille/ Sylvan Esso style punch. Title tracks ‘Golden’ and ‘Wrestle your way out’ are out now..

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB:
Ant Law & Brigitte Beraha

‘Ensconced’ is an exciting new collaboration initiated during the pandemic years between leading UK guitarist/composer Ant Law and Milan-born British/Turkish vocalist, composer and lyricist Brigitte Beraha.

The six originals on the album are bookended by re-imaginings of two timeless standards - ‘A Kiss To Build A Dream On’ (made famous by Louis Armstrong) and Bernstein’s ‘Some Other Time’ - in which the duo simply and beautifully conjure up a spellbinding, intimate ‘campfire’ feeling.

Inspired by Ant’s compositions, Brigitte exhibits rich lyrical storytelling, from wistful memories of growing up in the south of France in ‘Who We Are’ to the more obscure tale of a gifted horse in ‘Clever Hans’. Her deeply expressive vocals, alongside Ant’s inventive and melodic acoustic guitar artistry, are the elements at the very heart of this music.

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB

Join us on the third Thursday of every month* for an evening of Jazz, delicious food (bring your own / order in) and drinks a plenty in an intimate cabaret style setting.

In partnership with Winchester Jazz Festival and Alex Western-King we will host some of the UK’s best Jazz musicians on The Nutshell stage.

*please check dates as due to holiday season we will occassionally shift from the third Thursday!

JAZZBOPS: Toby Evans Duo

Join us for our monthly afternoon jazz concert made especially for grown-ups and their little ones - a jazz club designed with grown-ups in mind.

Park up your buggies or scooters and get ready for a mid-week lunchtime concert featuring some of the UK's best Jazz musicians - please note new time for 2026!

JANUARY LINE-UP: Toby Evans Duo

Programmed in partnership with Winchester Jazz Festival.

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB:
Alex Western-King Christmas House Band - The Late Show

Our Christmas LATE SHOW is back, bringing your favourite Christmas tunes to life with our fantastic house band. New Orleans style Christmas music led by Alex Western-King.

Join us for a late night Christmas Jazz experience and bring in the Christmas season in style.

Alex Western-King is an award-winning musician and one of the most sought after saxophone players on the London jazz scene. Described as "reaching deep into the core of jazz”, Alex is passionate about communicating through music and preserving the jazz tradition.

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB

Join us on the third Thursday of every month* for an evening of Jazz, delicious food (bring your own / order in) and drinks a plenty in an intimate cabaret style setting.

In partnership with Winchester Jazz Festival and Alex Western-King we will host some of the UK’s best Jazz musicians on The Nutshell stage.

*please check dates as due to holiday season we will occassionally shift from the third Thursday!

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB:
Alex Western-King Christmas House Band

This Christmas, we welcome back Alex Western-King and The Nutshell House Band to bring you a celebration of the festive season.

After last year’s sold out double house, join Alex and his band for a night of holiday classics. Featuring Hannah Castleman on vocals, this is a Monday night not to be missed!

Alex Western-King is an award-winning musician and one of the most sought after saxophone players on the London jazz scene. Described as "reaching deep into the core of jazz”, Alex is passionate about communicating through music and preserving the jazz tradition.

Wanna hear more? - book your tickets for our December LATE SHOW.

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB

Join us on the third Thursday of every month* for an evening of Jazz, delicious food (bring your own / order in) and drinks a plenty in an intimate cabaret style setting.

In partnership with Winchester Jazz Festival and Alex Western-King we will host some of the UK’s best Jazz musicians on The Nutshell stage.

*please check dates as due to holiday season we will occassionally shift from the third Thursday!

JAZZBOPS: December

Join us for our monthly lunchtime jazz concert made especially for grown-ups and their little ones (ages 0-4) - a jazz club designed with grown-ups in mind.

Park up your buggies or scooters and get ready for a mid-week lunchtime concert featuring some of the UK's best Jazz musicians.

Older children also welcome! 🎄

DECEMBER LINE-UP: The Spitfire Sisters

FREE Open Mic Night! ages 13-21

Ignite the Spark - Inspire the Future

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of raw talent and creativity! On Friday 28 November 2025, 7-10 pm, The Nutshell becomes a youth-powered space to share ideas, build confidence, and connect with others who love the arts.
 
Step into a night of music, poetry, comedy, art, and new writingcreated by young people, for young people. Whether you want to perform your songs, share your words, show your artwork, make people laugh, or simply enjoy the show, this is your time to ignite the spark and get involved!
 
Expect• 5 minute slots of music, poetry, comedy & new writing• A friendly, inclusive crowd• Big creative energy and zero judgement
 
To get involved email hello@discardednut.co.uk

Deadline for signing up - Friday 21st November. Limited slots available!

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB:
HARRY DIPLOCK TRIO

Guitarist Harry Diplock brings together some of the UKs most exciting musicians to capture a modern take on the world of acoustic jazz. ‘Harry Diplock Trio & Friends’ pushes the envelope of acoustic jazz guitar. 

Rooted in the acoustic qualities of the Selmer guitar and heavily inspired by both the French and American Jazz scene, the trio has a unique sound that is distinctly original.

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB

Join us on the third Thursday of every month* for an evening of Jazz, delicious food (bring your own / order in) and drinks a plenty in an intimate cabaret style setting.

In partnership with Winchester Jazz Festival and Alex Western-King we will host some of the UK’s best Jazz musicians on The Nutshell stage.

*please check dates as due to holiday season we will occassionally shift from the third Thursday!

BARK BARK

A live cinema play told from the perspective of a dog. 

A dog with a bird-killing problem. Two people stitching their relationship together. A house filled with taxidermy animals. When a young couple responds to a dog-sitting advert expecting a free holiday, they stumble into an unexpected tradition.

Using cameras, puppets, and diorama sets, five performers weave together a live animation told from the perspective of a dog.  A delicate, eerie, and amusing look at three lives, human and non-human, from emerging live-cinema company Buzzcut. A “sold out must see” (★★★★ Beyond the Curtain) from Edinburgh Fringe 2024.

Contains themes which may be upsetting to younger children.

DUO Destino play Flamenco Fusion

Back at The Nutshell for their 4th annual Concert, DUO DESTINO (previously just known as  duo )  are ready to bring heat and passion to a cold November evening. Your favourite virtuoso acoustic guitarists will deliver another feel-good evening of dynamic playing with a range of emotions, percussive rhythms, dazzling technique, speed and their unique 'fat' sound.

Their huge repertoire of rock, pop and classical tunes, uniquely blended with flamenco, and their own similar compositions take you from Spain to The Camargue, Cuba, Mexico, Hollywood and South America. Their new compositions for 2025 are going down a storm on tour and the cherry on top of the cake will be a 5 minute arrangement of a popular piece by Vivaldi to flex their classical muscles. Two guitars replacing a whole chamber orchestra and yet nothing is missing! You are guaranteed to leave smiling and vowing to pick up your guitar again.  Come and see what all the buzz is about.

As they live fairly locally they occasionally play some pop tunes in the main street in Winchester on a Saturday and always attract a crowd but the other 95% of the time they 
give professional Concerts around the UK and Spain, France and Italy drawing on their 14 years of professional experience after meeting at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
Although their Concerts are time-tabled to last 2 hours they often overrun these days, with audiences wanting more,  so please bear that in mind if you're arranging a taxi pick-up afterwards!

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB:
Andrea Rinciari Quartet

Andrea Rinciari is an eminent jazz guitarist whose tireless dedication to the traditions of bebop and straight-ahead has led him to master the essence of mid-20th century jazz.

Inspired by legends such as Bud Powell, Tadd Dameron, Elmo Hope, Freddie Redd, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Sonny Stitt, Fats Navarro, and Clifford Brown, Andrea’s devotion to their legacy permeates through every performance.

Beyond being a virtuoso bandleader, Andrea is an engaging host, consistently gracing prestigious jazz venues on both sides of the channel. From the legendary Ronnie Scott’s, Chelsea’s 606 and Vortex in London to Parisian gems like Duc des Lombards, 38Riv, and Le Barbizon.

THE NUTSHELL JAZZ CLUB

Sponsored by Christopher Jones Wealth Management.

Join us on the third Thursday of every month* for an evening of Jazz, delicious food (bring your own / order in) and drinks a plenty in an intimate cabaret style setting.

In partnership with Winchester Jazz Festival and Alex Western-King we will host some of the UK’s best Jazz musicians on The Nutshell stage.

JAZZBOPS: October

Join us for our monthly lunchtime jazz concert made especially for grown-ups and their little ones (ages 0-4) - a jazz club designed with grown-ups in mind.

Park up your buggies or scooters and get ready for a mid-week lunchtime concert featuring some of the UK's best Jazz musicians.

OCTOBER LINE-UP: Andrea Rinciari

The Phantom of the Opera (1925) + Live Score by Minima

100 years after the release of The Phantom of the Opera join us to celebrate the centenary of this great spectacle with Minima's "spine-tingling" live score.

Beneath the sewers of the Paris Opera House dwells a masked figure. He is the Phantom, a hideously disfigured composer whose dream is to turn chorus singer Christine into a diva. Lon Chaney, the “Man of a Thousand Faces”, dominates this classic adaptation of the 1910 novel. His ghastly make-up and outrageous performance made The Phantom of the Opera one of the great classics of American silent film.

This is the original film version of Phantom which inspired numerous remakes. It was a critical and commercial success upon release, as these press quotes from the time contest: an “ultra fantastic melodrama” (New York Times); “produced on a stupendous scale” (Moving Picture World); “probably the greatest inducement to nightmare that has yet been screened” (Variety)

Minima have specialised in live accompaniment to screenings of silent films since 2006. Their electrifying original score for The Phantom of the Opera captures the horror of the story, but also finds pathos, romance and humour. Drums, bass, guitar and cello strike up a thrilling relationship with the film, following the Phantom down into his subterranean nightmare world.