Wellspring Jazz are a multi-talented group of musicians who perform a wide variety of Jazz styles and flavours. Most of the musicians have been members of Wellspring for some time and many earn their living as professional performers. Wellspring Jazz grew directly out of its parent group and shares the same ethos and values - all the musicians are Christians seeking to express their faith through their music.

The standard repertoire of the group includes popular melodies by the likes of Gershwin, Porter and Sinatra, Jazz classics by Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, but also wonderful jazz arrangements of worship songs, intertwining our love of music with our love for God.

The nature of Jazz music lends itself to a wide variety of situations from relaxing background music to featured performance. Wellspring Jazz are available for events including:-

Concerts
Wellspring Jazz concerts are relaxed, comfortable events with easy going introductions to make them accessible to a wide audience. Concerts can include a short Christian message or testimony if required.

Background music
Setting a ambiance for an event – could include playing during a meal or reception or as a warm up to a speaker, for example

Conferences
 The musicians are available for conferences and courses

Other Events & Recordings
Anything not covered by the above – whatever type of event you have in mind, get in touch and discuss it with us

Services
Wellspring Jazz can lead worship for church services, celebrations and other similar events, adding an interesting and unusual slant to church worship)

If you are interested in booking Wellspring Jazz, please use our Contact Page

The booking process will go something like this:-

1. You contact us by phone, letter or email. We will discuss your requirements with you.

2. If it is appropriate, we will send you an information pack which will include:-

3. We will check the availability of our musicians

4. After any consultations with your colleagues, you get back to us with any queries

5. Assuming we all wish to proceed, we will send a contract for you to sign and return along with any relevant information, such as travel directions, information about the venue, programme requests, food and accommodation arrangements etc.

6. We will plan the programme, either with you if you wish, or by ourselves

7. You organise and publicise your event

8. We will speak with you a week or two in advance of the event to check final details

9. The musicians will arrive in time to rehearse & perform

Wellspring jazz recording

Andrew Whettam, the leader of Wellspring Jazz, writes the following about the jazz album:

Right from my first involvement with Wellspring back in the mid ‘80s, it was apparent that amongst this group of musicians there was not only a great love of Jazz, but also a wonderful natural talent for this form of music.  As a group we have often said, “one day we’ll record a Jazz album.”  Well, that day has finally arrived; here it is!

When I was first asked to put this project together I had little idea of the sheer musical breadth that would emerge.  The flowing trumpet lines and inventive piano solo in The Girl From Ipanema, the refreshing sound of the violin in Danny Boy and Honeysuckle Rose, the breathtaking French Horn “screamers” at the end of Cherokee, and the poignant intimacy and beautiful piano chords in Spirit Song, are but a few examples.

The choice of repertoire aims for a balance of well-known Popular Standards from the 1930s and ‘40s with more contemporary Jazz numbers (Days Of Wine And Roses, Twisted, Unsquare Dance) and tunes better known in other contexts (Crimond, The Londonderry Air, The Old Rugged Cross, Spirit Song).  The late John Wimber, composer of Spirit Song and former member of the 60’s band The Righteous Brothers, deserves a mention as an inspiring influence over many years.

For me personally it has been a tremendously enjoyable experience to lead and play in a creative project of this nature with a group of people who are not only respected colleagues but also close friends.

Andrew Whettam - leader of Wellspring jazz

If you would like more information about the Wellspring jazz recording, or if you would like to order a copy (or listen to sound samples of the tracks) please visit our recording information page

For information about Wellspring Jazz events, please go to our diary page

For more information about booking Wellspring Jazz, please use our contact page