Fri 20 September | Will Collier’s Chet Baker Project

Will Collier’s Chet Baker Project transports you to the elegant decadence of 1950’s West Coast cool. After the second world war, following Miles Davis and Gil Evans’ lead, Chet Baker along with long term collaborator Gerry Mulligan decided to leave the technical improvisations of bebop behind to create a laid-back melodic style of jazz emphasising composition and arrangement. Will Collier’s quartet pay homage to Chet’s legacy with music ranging from his early recordings with Charlie Parker to the piano-less quartets to the seminal album Chet Baker Sings. 

Double bass player and singer Will Collier is a founding member of the Horne Section and leader of the Will Collier Septet who have released two albums. He has appeared on BBC1, BBC2, ITV, C4 and performed with Bobby McFerrin, Ed Sheeran, Jamie Cullum, Cleo Laine, Joe Stilgoe, Claire Teal, Atomic Kitten, Big Zuu, Suggs, Robbie Williams to name a few.  

Featuring 

Will Collier – double bass / vocals

Robbie Robson – trumpet

Dave Hamblett – drums

Rob Updegraff – guitar

Thurs 24 October | Ignite – Mi Flamenco

An unmissable opportunity to see international flamenco company Mi Flamenco back at Dorchester Arts with their new show, Ignite.

Soul-stirring original music by virtuoso guitarist Uri Tal, gut-wrenching vocals from Jerez with charismatic flamenco singer Luis Vargas Monge “El Mono” and the extraordinary hypnotic cello of Nick Squires. Heart-thumpingly thrilling dance from Ester Tal and Tomas Arroquero completes this captivating combination of artists and emotions: a truly compelling flamenco experience.

“stunning flamenco dancing backed up by hugely talented guitar players and singers”

(Docklands Review)

Sat 2 November| Focus – Hocus Pocus

The band from the 60s that just keeps giving.

Featuring Thijs Van Leer, Pierre Van Der Linden, Menno Gootjes and Udo Pannekeet, Focus return to
European concert stages during 2023/24.

Fresh from the studio where they are recording their eagerly awaited new album, they will traverse Europe to give their loyal fans what they always want – a good time, and timeless music. Each song breathtakingly unique, and each performance different to the one before.

How much longer will Focus tour?

We have had 50 years of this amazingly spectacular show, and Focus have achieved so much in this time span.

From Polydor’s record plant closing to other bands to press nothing but Focus for ten days to meet demand, to being a favourite of Bob Harris on The Old Grey Whistle Test, and to holding positions in the UK top ten charts in both singles and albums.

And now for the interesting facts of Focus:

Focus have featured in the orchestra pit for Victor Spinet’s musical Hair; have claimed a knighthood; sound tracked on a 2010 football World Cup commercial featuring Wayne Rooney; and not forgetting that Hocus Pocus was featured in the iconic car chase sequence, after the bank heist in 2017 movie Baby Driver and also featured in Disney’s Classic TROLLS WORLD TOUR Movie 2020 The men of Focus are looking forward to seeing you all on their ‘Hocus Pocus Tour’ at their favourite venues, and a few exciting new ones too.