"What a brilliant club" - Forbes 2025
THE VERDICT
APPJAG Jazz Venue of the Year 2024
The Verdict is a multi award winning grass roots music venue, the only full time Jazz venue outside of London in the south of England, it has been named as one of the best jazz clubs in the World by Star Insider. Weekly hosting the best in jazz music with Top International acts, playing blues, swing, funk, Latin Jazz and fusion.
Richard Spaven Masterclass
Join world-renowned drummer Richard Spaven for an exclusive, intimate masterclass at The Verdict Jazz Club. Known for his impeccable groove, genre-defying touch, and work with artists such as José James, Flying Lotus, Jordan Rakei and The Cinematic Orchestra, Spaven brings a rare blend of technical precision and deep musicality.
Richard will break down his unique approach to:
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Groove, feel and time
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Hybrid technique and creative independence
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Interpreting electronic-influenced rhythms on acoustic drums
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Musicality within modern jazz, hip-hop and broken beat
With only 25 places, this is a unique opportunity to get up close, ask questions, and learn directly from one of the most influential drummers on the contemporary scene.
Limited availability — early booking essential.
Richard Spaven
Richard Spaven - Drums // Yves Fernandez - Bass // Stuart McCallum - Guitar
Forging his own path into the future... With roots in the U.K. club and hip-hop scenes, Richard Spaven brings a fresh approach to the instrument that’s at once modern and traditional. Combining machine-like accuracy with jazz-influenced improvisational sensibilities, Spaven’s drumming has landed him gigs with varied artists such as UK rapper Loyle Carner, Guru of hip-hop duo Gang Starr, producer Flying Lotus, vocalist José James and Brainfeeder artist Jameszoo.
Spaven’s brilliance is evident beyond his world-class performance abilities; he’s equally impressive in production and compositional territories. The drummer released his new solo record, ‘Sole Subject', which once again showcases his multifaceted talents. In collaboration with Alfa Mist, Spaven co-writes and releases as 44th Move, together with other notable releases - lending his signature sound to Loyle Carner’s ‘Hugo’ and ‘Live At Royal Albert Hall’ LP’s plus electronica heavyweight Clark’s ‘Sus Dog’ where Spaven’s inventive drums underpin the vocals of Thom Yorke.
Spaven’s signature drum sound often sees him combine high-pitched, crisp snares; round, jazzy toms; and small, punchy bass drums. His cymbal choices are a sonic contrast of dry, lower-pitched hi-hats, rides, and crashes. Altogether, the drummer’s tone could be described as a nod to the past while keeping an ear toward the future. Much like his compositions, Spaven’s drumming is elusive and genre-defying. He often avoids conventional downbeats and cadences in favour of sneaky syncopations and the types of sonic glitches you might hear from a deejay. No 16th note is left unturned within some of his drum ’n’ bass–and dubstep–influenced explorations.
Spike Wells 80th - QOW TRIO
Spike Wells - Drums // Riley Stone-Lonergan - Sax // Eddie Myer - Bass
With The Rule Of Three, the unique generation-spanning entity that is QOW TRIO are back with a barnstorming third album. Building logically on the natural development of their two previous collections, this time the fearless threesome can be heard roaming further than ever before into the uncharted hinterlands where the deep jazz tradition of the classic tenor trio format, laden with melody and swing, ventures into the untamed regions of free improvisation.
At the heart of the band is the unmistakable beat of drummer Spike Wells, who this year celebrates his 80th birthday and the 65th year of his extraordinary career at the forefront of jazz in the UK, providing the driving force behind everyone from homegrown heroes Tubby Hayes to Bobby Wellins to visitors like Stan Getz and Roland Kirk and countless others. Riding at his side to represent the current London-based millennial cohort is saxophonist Riley Stone-Lonergan, whose intriguing compositions and boundless creative imagination as an improvisor continue to add to his burgeoning reputation. Representing the diversity of tastes and interests and uncompromising creative stance typical of Gen X, big-toned bassist Eddie Myer rounds up the posse.
The trio initially got together through their mutual love of Sonny Rollins’ touring piano-less trios of the late 50s and early 60s, but soon found themselves expanding their repertoire to explore the rich and varied territory opened up by their unique combination of individual tastes. This album is their most coherent, wide-ranging and adventurous set of recordings yet. From Ayler to Strayhorn, from be-bop to calypso, from cowboy movie to free-jazz shootout, there’s a surprise at every turn, but always delivered with total sincerity and conviction and a driving desire to bring the audience with them every step of the way.
