New album The Light Catcher

It's a welcome return to Splash Point Jazz Club Eastbourne for the Neal Richardson Band with music from his third album The Light Catcher which launches officially in November at the 2026 London Jazz Festival.

The Neal Richardson Septet play Splash Point Jazz Club, Eastbourne on Wednesday, October 28.

Spokeswoman Annette Keen said: “Neal Richardson is a powerful and rhythmic pianist/vocalist playing jazz, standards, blues and originals. He played for the opening weekend at Raffles London at the OWO, voted the world’s number one new hotel, and was subsequently their first musician in residence for a period of eighteen months.

“Other top UK venues where Neal has played regularly include the Relais Cooden Beach Hotel, The Southbank Centre, the Buxted Park Hotel, Sussex, the Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel, Blenheim Palace and Shakespeare's Globe, plus many others across the world. Neal has played in the London Jazz Festival eight years running and his band has sold out many prestigious venues including Ronnie Scott’s, St Martin-in-the-Fields and the Crazy Coqs @Zedel Brasserie.

“He runs the Seaford Splash Point Jazz Club (@splashpointjazz) and heads up Splash Point Music Ltd.

“Neal's band features a top-class line-up.

“Jo Fooks (tenor sax) won The Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year and then went on to study saxophone at the Guildhall School of Music in London. She was subsequently invited to join the British trumpeter Humphrey Lyttelton's eight-piece band. Jo began to compose her own music in 2004 and has produced three albums of original music with her quartet.

“Mark Nightingale (trombone) is quite simply the best trombone player in the country. A multi-award winner, Mark is regularly called for sessions and film work and as a guest with many top bands, as well as leading his own bands.

“Sue Richardson (trumpet) is familiar to Splash Point audiences for her many performances in both Eastbourne and Seaford clubs. Sue has played with the Humphrey Lyttelton band and Alex Webb's highly successful Cafe Society Swing band and been a featured guest on Radio 4's Women's Hour.

“The powerhouse rhythm section in the band consists of Luke Rattenbury (guitar), Miles Danso (double bass) and Paul Cavaciuti (drums).

“Neal's band will be performing mostly original music from his new CD The Light Catcher plus some well-loved standards.”

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 and a warm welcome inside.”