Gentle Jazz is a group of mature Dumfries and Galloway performers with many concerts in the region under its belts. Our programmes feature the ‘greats’: the well-loved songs of Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin from the 1920s and 30s, together with the occasional ‘novelty’ from the 1960s. Our style is mainly 60s ‘bebop’ jazz, with a touch of bossanova  (not to mention some audience participation) here and there. We aim to provide good entertainment whilst avoiding excessive din at all costs!

A typical programme comprises two sets of about 50 minutes’ music, separated by an interval for refreshments. 

Singer  Audrey Lowrie, from Dumfries, was classically trained, but loves jazz singing. She has introduced us to a number of new numbers, in the ‘novelty’ category noted above. 

Guitarist  John Fenner, from Dalry, was for many years one of Kenny Ball’s Jazzmen. He has played with Count Basie’s band, at Quaglino’s and the Café de Paris in London, and has recorded with Bud Freeman and Wild Bill Davidson. 

Bass guitarist  Howard Bradley, from Gelston, has  played in Rock bands, but he also enjoys the more subtle disciplines of the small jazz group, and has been with Gentle Jazz since its inception. 

Drummer Jamie Hoyle, from Dumfries, is a professional teacher, and timpanist with the Solway Sinfonia. He’s versatile too – able to double as keyboard player when Geoff plays the sax.

Keyboard player and saxophonist Geoff Keating, from Gatehouse, earned his living as a teacher and lecturer. An occasional organist, arranger and composer, in a previous life he once recorded with Cliff Richard, and once with Peter Sellers!