Marianne Windham, the inspirational and dedicated Chair of Guildford Jazz, has just received the prestigious Parliamentary ‘Services to Jazz Award’ for 2025, which is awarded annually to ‘a living person who is deemed to have made the most outstanding contribution to jazz in the UK.’ This award comes from the All-Party Parliamentary Jazz Group (APPJG), comprised of almost a hundred members from the House of Commons and House of Lords and whose best-known member is probably the ex-Chancellor of The Exchequer Kenneth Clarke. Previous recipients of this award include renowned bandleaders, such as Stan Tracey and Mike Westbrook, and the internationally acclaimed vocalist Dame Cleo Laine.
Marianne joins this elite group thanks to her her tireless efforts to promote the music and, in the process, providing work for over 2,000 musicians while raising over £190,000 for various local charities. The latter includes ‘Challengers’, an organisation that provides support for disabled youngsters and their families, and GUTS, a charity that funds detection, treatment and research into bowel cancer. In memory of her close friend, the saxophonist and music teacher Cheryl King who died in 2014, Marianne also founded the ‘Cheryl King Trust’ which provides grants and bursaries for aspiring young musicians from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Thanks to Marianne’s leadership and sterling support from of her small team of volunteers Guildford Jazz has become one of the leading jazz clubs in the UK and a firm favourite with musicians. Its importance was also recognised in this year’s Parliamentary jazz awards where the club reached the final shortlist of three for ‘Jazz Venue of the Year.’ In addition to regular concerts at the ‘home’ of Guildford Jazz in the Guildford Pavilion on Woodbridge Rd, Marianne’s tireless efforts to disseminate the music has resulted in over 500 concerts, workshops and festivals at venues throughout Surrey. These include Surrey University; Cranleigh Arts Centre; local churches (most notably the annual Christmas Concert at St John’s Church in Farncombe), cafes, restaurants and pubs; Watts Gallery; The Guildford Institute; Farnham Maltings and outdoor summer festivals at Wood St village and Loseley Park. Just over the border in Hampshire she is also Chair of Fleet Jazz that hosts monthly evening and lunchtime concerts at The Harlington Centre
Given Marianne’s exceptional organisational ability and boundless enthusiasm, her superb musicianship on her chosen instrument, the double-bass, could be easily overlooked. As a classically trained cellist, she discovered jazz much later than most musicians when a friend took her to a local jazz club. Captivated by the music, she decided to take up the double-bass and made such good progress that in 2011 she decided to leave a successful software consultancy career and become a professional musician. Since taking that brave and fateful decision Marianne has developed into one of the most versatile bassists in the UK, playing in a wide range of jazz styles at clubs and festivals throughout the UK. She also performs regularly at classical orchestral and chamber concerts while also giving private lessons on the double-bass.
In making the ‘Services to Jazz’ award to Marianne, Chris Hodgkins, Secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Jazz Group, noted that Marianne’s ‘dual role as performer and organiser has made her a vital force in sustaining regional jazz culture and fostering inclusive, high-quality live music experiences.’
For more information on Guildford Jazz activities and events please visit guildfordjazz.org.uk. Hopefully you’ll find something to pique your interest and, if you do decide to come along to a gig, great music and a warm welcome are guaranteed.
