Allan Browne presents most Monday nights at Bennetts Lane in his own poetic, magic and musical way (1st Monday of the month is for the Bennetts Lane BIG Band). Monday's are his platform for life, love and common (and not so common) psychological and philosophical quandries and the poeticism which forms in the eddies of music and the crevicesof spiritual hearts. He has a number of award winning projects that he presents but tonight is his larger ensemble - the mighty sextet featuring:

Allan has worked with over 35 International Jazz icons including Milt Jackson, Jay Mc Shann, Herb Ellis, Phil Woods, Al Cohn, Plas Johnson, Jimmy Witherspoon, Art Hodes, Barney Kessel, Urbie Green, Buddy Tate, Joe Newman, Mal.Waldren, Johnny Griffin, Scott Hamilton, Wild Bill Davidson, Urbie Green, Ronnie Scott, Charlie Bird, Ralph Sutton, Sheilah Jordan, Red Holloway, Emily Remla and Richie Cole. Many of these performers have left lasting impressions upon him and it is through the sexet that he lets us revisit with him just some of his most cherished musical memories. The project is a kind of jazz autobiography with only the juicy bits told first hand, and with collaborators who deeply understand his psyche. This is an opportunity to see history in the making as they move closer to their next recording and the launch of Allan's poetic works during the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

With his debut album, I LIKE THIS ONE, Joe Stilgoe enchanted audiences everywhere with his charm, wit and great talents as both a vocalist and piano player. It showcased Joe not only as a performer but also as a songwriter of skill far beyond his years.

Joe Stilgoe’s formidable piano technique (described by jazz singer Ian Shaw as "a cross between Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans and Les Dawson") and vocal range (described as "wonderful" by New York cabaret legend Steve Ross) got him noticed pretty quickly, and though comparisons are made with former label-mate Jamie Cullum, Michael Bublé, Harry Connick Jr. and his father, songwriter Richard Stilgoe, Joe is very much his own man and the live shows are testament to this, mixing virtuosic musicianship with a dynamic stage presence and killing sense of humour ("Delightful...clever, witty and charming" - The Scotsman).

After the critical success of the first record, Joe is set to release his second album, WE LOOK TO THE STARS, which he says is “much more punchy, reflecting my early taste for Jerry Lee Lewis and Fats Waller, through to Billy Joel, Elton John, Brian Wilson and Harry Connick Jr.  At the same time I’ve had the chance to listen to some amazing music, people like Elbow, Bon Iver, Laura Marling and Adele, which all seeped in to the process somehow. I’ve been writing a ton of songs, and though not kicking jazz away, I’m using that great feel from jazz and swing records and hopefully updating my sound.” This outstanding new album has already caught the ear of a few high profile fans including designer Christian Louboutin, who used Joe’s song ‘We Should Kiss’ as the centrepiece for his acclaimed “Feu” show at Le Crazy Horse in Paris.

Joe has performed at the Royal Albert Hall, Ronnie Scott's, the Royal Festival Hall, The Queen Elizabeth Hall, The Barbican, The London Jazz Festival, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Edinburgh Festival, Henley Festival, Sardinia Jazz Festival, Sicily Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, Dubai jazz Festival and in jazz clubs from New York to Berlin to Kuala Lumpur. He has appeared on the Now Show, Loose Ends and The Horne Section for BBC Radio 4, and has been a contributor and special guest with Alan Carr, Michael Parkinson and numerous other Radio 2 programmes. Joe writes songs for many other artists, and gives masterclasses across the country in performance and improvisation.

"Delightful...clever, witty and charming" ***** The Scotsman

"Songs at the piano don’t get much sharper than this...Whether he’s performing his own material or reshaping an old favourite."  The Observer

“Revealing himself to be a powerful improviser with an instinctive gift for melody”The Times

" Not since Oscar Peterson’s halcyon days have I heard a jazz piano player who could be compared to such a great artist in both technique and inspiration." Sir John Dankworth

“He is every bit the musical marvel that his last name might suggest. You’d do well to remember it since, I trust, you’ll be hearing a lot more from Joe Stilgoe in the future.” Lynn DiMenna – Cabaret Scenes, New York

 “Musical virtuoso” The Independent

 “Genius” The Herald

"Better than Kraftwerk."  A man at Bestival, 2009