September date

It's a return visit for special guest band Five-Way Split to Splash Point Jazz Club Eastbourne on Wednesday, September 30.

Spokesman Annette Keen said: “The band were last here in February 2024 and were a huge hit with a very enthusiastic audience.

“Formed in 2020, at the height of the pandemic when performance opportunities were scarce but creative energy was strong, the band is a collaboratively-led venture formed by five of the UK's top jazz musicians. They quickly found they had a brand that the public wanted, and in no time at all rose to became one of the top UK jazz bands, blending hard-bop tradition with modern flair.

“The band’s vision is to carry on the lineage of groups like Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers as well as mirroring the New York contemporary-bop scene. From this inspiration, they present a sound that respects the tradition of the hard-bop era whilst also bringing it up to date for today’s audience.

“With an extensive repertoire of carefully crafted and imaginative original compositions by band members along with hip, swinging material by greats like Jimmy Heath, Cedar Walton and Horace Silver, Five-Way Split delivers a night of the best swinging and soulful music in town.

“During a career of over 20 years, Quentin Collins (trumpet) has established himself as one of the UK’s top jazz players. For the past twelve years he has toured the world extensively with the Kyle Eastwood Band and has also held an eight-year residency at London’s prestigious Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club with his quartet.

“Vasilis Xenopoulos (sax) is widely regarded as one of the leading Greek jazz musicians of his generation and a distinctive voice in contemporary straight-ahead jazz. After graduating with honours from Berklee College of Music, he made London his permanent base and quickly established himself as a major presence on the UK jazz scene. Alongside his performing career, he is also an experienced educator, delivering seminars and workshops on jazz saxophone and improvisation.

“Considered a mainstay of the London jazz and studio scene and constantly in demand, Rob Barren (keys) is a first-call pianist highly regarded for his improvisational flair, innate musicality and a deft touch that reveal influences inspired by Blue Note greats Cedar Walton, Wynton Kelly and Sonny Clark.

“Matyas Hofecker (bass) is recognised as one of the leading musicians among the younger generation of jazz bassists in Europe. He performs regularly around Europe, including Spain, Austria, Germany, Switzerland or Portugal.

“Matt Home (drums) was born in Huddersfield, started playing the trumpet and switched to drums at the age of eight. After taking private lessons he enrolled on a three-year course in jazz and popular music and soon began playing professionally. In 1999, Matt moved to London and since then has played with many leading musicians in London, the UK and Europe.

“Five-Way Split was nominated in the Best Band category of the 2024 Parliamentary Jazz Awards. Their latest album Modus Operandi was recorded in February 2025 and was released in March 2026. It features more original compositions from the band as well as re-imaginings of classic material – much of which will be heard at the Fishermen's Club on September 30. This is a top-drawer band playing music that will appeal to fans of hard bop and straight-ahead, contemporary jazz.”

The venue is the Fishermen's Club, Royal Parade, BN22 7AA. Tickets are £15 on the door on the night if still available or in advance from www.WeGotTickets.com (booking fee applies).

Doors open at 7.15pm, and the music starts at 8pm, finishing at around 10.30pm. There is ample parking immediately next to the venue.