Bassist Riaan Vosloo is known as one of the best younger generation players in London, but is also becoming recognised as a highly creative band leader & composer. His last CD release was as the Twelves Trio entitled Here Comes The Woodman With His Splintered Soul [1965 Records], and has picked up rave reviews and radio airplay from the likes of Julian Joseph [Radio 2] & Giles Peterson [Radio 1]. Tonight we have a four piece version of the band, with Riaan on bass, Mark Hanslip - tenor sax, Rob Updegraff - guitar & Tim Giles - drums. Mark is playing in numerous London bands at present, and seems to be the man of the moment on tenor, Tim has played at the club several times before now, and is a brilliant drummer well known for his own band Fraud and work with Django Bates & Iain Ballamy. The cutting edge of the London scene. See myspace.com/twelvestrio

The Balance was formed in the spring of 2008 when pianist Vyv Hope-Scott wanted to meet players with an interest in the European jazz scene. "There were loads of bands doing standards and loads more doing jazz funk but very few exploring the music found on the ECM label for example: John Abercrombie, Eberhard Weber, Thomas Stanko, people like that." Vyv teamed up with ace guitarist Mark Lawrence [pictured], Ashley Smith - bass & Michael Davis - drums, and the band played a great set in the Tobacco Factory earlier this year as part of the Arts Trail weekend. See myspace.com/thebalancejazz

A dynamic new jazz trio brought to you by bassist Jon Short, featuring the piano virtuoso Dale Hambridge and the extraordinary work of John Blakeley on drums. This versatile group perform Short's truly contemporary compositions, with moments of contemplative fragility and grooves of explosive intensity. See myspace.com/anernesttrio

Scott Hammond has been one of the most in demand drummers around Bristol for many years, but now for the first time takes charge as band leader to perform his own compositions and choice of standards. His wife Ruth is a great sax player, although she is probably best known for her piano playing and vocals. Andy Nowak & Will Harris complete the line-up of this excellent new group. Scott Hammond - drums, Ruth Hammond - tenor sax, Andy Nowak - piano & Will Harris - bass. See www.scotthammond.co.uk

Violinist and vocalist Azhaar returns to the club as part of a tour to promote her album "Out There" which features guest appearances from Iain Ballamy & Jason Rebello. The repertoire mixes reworkings of modern jazz standards with Brazilian songs and original compositions. Azhaar is joined by ace pianist Anders Olinder in a rare appearance at the club, with Will Harris - bass & Mark Whitlam - drums. "One of the most distinctive acts on the U.K. jazz scene" Andy Roberts, Jazz Connection BBC Radio Wales. See www.azhaarsaffar.com

Ben Cummings is an excellent trumpeter who works with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra, Big Buzzard Boogie Band, and is busy on the London session circuit. He's teamed up with the wonderful pianist Craig Milverton. Craig cites his main influences as Oscar Peterson & Bill Evans, and is one of the rare musicians who can successfully transcend stylistic boundaries, leading his own contemporary group ZZ Bop whilst also performing with Digby Fairweather & Acker Bilk. For this set they'll be playing hard swinging standards in a Chet Baker meets Oscar Peterson vein. They're joined by two of the busiest and best players from the Oxford scene, Raf Mizraki - bass & Charlie Stratford - drums. See www.myspace.com/bencummings

Jake McMurchie, one of Bristol's finest tenor saxophonists, pays tribute to Sonny Rollins, one of the greatest players of all time. Rollins came to prominence in the early 1950s, and is still producing vibrant music to this day. One of his most famous albums, Saxophone Colossus, was recorded in 1956. Joining Jake to play tunes either by or associated with Rollins we have the dynamic trio of Mike Willox - piano, Riaan Vosloo - bass & Mark Whitlam - drums.

Josh Arcoleo [tenor sax] & James Gardiner-Bateman [alto sax] are two of the brightest talents to have emerged from the South West in many years, and have both spent the past year studying at the Royal Academy whilst also managing to perform in a variety of high profile settings. We've teamed them up with the Totterdown Tyner, Hotwells Hancock and Easton Evans that is Bristol's very own super-pianist Jim Blomfield and the always excellent rhythm section of Thad Kelly - bass & Simon Gore - drums. If the panto finishes early enough Ben Waghorn & Andy Hague might join in for a jam at the end.