Jazz enthusiasts, wine connoisseurs, and lovers of good food – look no further than CAWA Coffee in Broomhill, because they’re about to have it all.
Kent Roach (Sheffield Jazz/Funk Musician and Educator) and Deon Jacobs (Business Development Director for CAWA) have teamed up and masterminded a series of new regular jazz nights for the Steel City, hosted beneath the glowing branches of CAWA’s iconic indoor tree.
Deon said: “Jazz has always been part of Cawa’s DNA – [these will be] intimate, atmospheric evenings where people can enjoy incredible live music in a space designed for it.”
The opening night will be on 19 October from 5:30pm where, according to their website, ‘gourmet tapas, cocktails, spirits, artisan beers and organic wines’ can be enjoyed alongside the diverse rhythms of Kent’s band, Montuno, and Kilario playing their first ever night in the new venue.
On the lineup are a blend of jazz, bebop, swing, Latin and afrobeat performances, specifically chosen to be recognisable to as wide an audience as possible.
Deon said: “These evenings will be a feast for all the senses. It’s not just about coming to hear a band – it’s about immersing yourself in the full experience of sound, taste, and atmosphere.”
Going forward, there will be live jazz performances from 7pm every Thursday, and continuous jazz jam sessions from 5:30pm every Sunday, where individuals will have the chance to jump up and play with the house musicians.
Kent said: “It’s a perfect location in the heart of Broomhill. The architecture is beautiful. The acoustics are incredible. I just think it’s perfect for a jazz club.”
Kent said that the plan is to have tables to sit at, as well as space to dance, envisioning the nights as more akin to the lively, old-timey New York jazz clubs, rather than concerts.
He said: “Sometimes you go to jazz events and they’re like classical recitals. You can hear a pin drop. It has its place, but I prefer something with a bit of life. People can get up and dance, make a bit of noise!”
I had the pleasure of speaking to both Kent and Deon about this new venture. After hugely enjoying a birthday celebration at CAWA with live music, it was Kent that suggested JAZZ@CAWA to Deon, who instantly took to the idea.
Kent said: “It’ll be fantastic live music, with fantastic musicians. I want it to be an immersive experience.”
The vision he shared with me was to create a diverse space where everyone feels welcome: “mature jazz lovers, adventurous young people, musicians and non-musicians – that’ll give it life.”
Kent mentioned that attending both Liverpool International Jazz Festival and Manchester Jazz Festival in the past year had hugely inspired him to develop these nights at CAWA, as well as Kelham Jazz Festival, another Sheffield project that he is heavily involved in.
Interestingly, Deon made it clear that CAWA’s origins were also ‘intertwined with jazz’.
He said: “Our two founding members met at Ronnie Scott’s, one of London’s most iconic jazz clubs, and the spirit of that night has stayed with us ever since. Jazz, with its warmth, spontaneity, and soul, feels very close to who we are as a business.”
Kent said: “CAWA fits in very well with a thriving jazz scene, both in terms of young promoters and brilliant venues. There is a jazz renaissance in Sheffield.”
Indeed, it’s encouraging to see an independent business doing so well, with three separate, successful locations across the city. With so many grassroots venues shutting down nationwide, adding some more established spaces into the mix will undoubtedly inject new life.
The plan for the launch is to have tickets available online in advance for around £10, and more tickets available on the door, including £5 tickets for students and concessions, with a view to keeping the events ticketed (but with room for flexibility).
These closing words from Deon illustrate just why it’s so important that we continue to support our local businesses:
“For us, this isn’t just about putting on gigs, it’s about contributing to Sheffield’s cultural heartbeat, supporting local musicians, and offering the community a place to come together. Giving people a cultural rhythm that they can look forward to.”
Get your earlybird tickets here: https://wegottickets.com/event/676317
