October date

The Raghouse Devils will be making a return to Steyning Jazz Club, on Friday, October 2.

Club spokesman Colin Jilks said: “Clarinettist Lana-May is one of the most charismatic women on the jazz scene today, an outstanding musician, vocalist and bandleader. Her unique and passionate approach to the music of New Orleans has already gained her an incredible reputation with multiple sold-out shows in London’s West End, so hold on to your seats and prepare to hear the clarinet played in a way you have never heard before.

“The Raghouse Devils are a band that draw on a wide and diverse pool of repertoire and inspiration so expect to hear familiar classics as well as discovering some new favourites.

“The band line-up will be: Lana-May Hodge, clarinet & vocals; George Webster, piano; Jim Swinnerton, double bass; Stephen Cass, drums; and Mortimer Hodge, banjo.

“They pay homage to the vaudevillian-style travelling bands of the early 1900s, performing a mix of traditional jazz, early blues, bawdy ballads and cabaret chansons. This lively quintet aims to entertain, enthral, excite and exhilarate. Bandleader, clarinettist and vocalist, Lana-May Hodge, has put together a group of incredible musicians to create a vaudevillian experience with New Orleans gutter jazz, risqué blues and melodramatic ditties. Her aim is to reintroduce vaudeville, redefine cabaret and revitalise traditional jazz.

“The Raghouse Devils were formed in 2025 as part of a larger Raghouse Vaudeville Production. They released two live EPs the same year, one with renowned cabaret performer Mister Joe Black.

“Brought up in South London, Lana-May began playing the clarinet age ten through a local council initiative to get instrument lessons into primary schools, tuition which laid the foundations of her musical career. A degree in music performance led to an audition for the Royal Marines Band Service where she was offered a place as a clarinettist and violinist, a later addition to her musical talents, going on to perform at all the prestigious military events you could shake a pith helmet at, as well travelling to exotic places like New Zealand, the Falklands, Ascension Islands, Sweden and even Swansea. But her true love affair with early Jazz began when she premiered the first version of her Hot Jazz Band at Le Quecumbar in South London.

“Lana-May has developed her own very unique style in performing hot jazz and early blues standards, citing influences that span genres and eras, creating a fresh approach to the music of New Orleans. Accompanied and supported by her outstanding group of musicians, this promises to be an outstanding evening.”

Admission charges remain £15 for non-members, £10 for members. Tickets for the concert need to be pre-booked at www.wegottickets.com. Enter Steyning in search box. For those unable to book online, team member Lindsay Buchanan will accept emails at [email protected] or you can phone 07855 693356. The show begins at 8pm. Steyning Jazz Club meets at The Steyning Centre, Fletcher’s Croft, Steyning. BN44 3XZ. Information: Colin Jilks on 01903 810395.