Upcoming Events
Cafe Boheme
Come join us for an afternoon of singing at this great cafe on Old Compton Street
Burnley Mechanics
An Evening of prohibition jazz and blues with a touch of gospel and a sprinkle of reggae.
A Celebration of Sound
Join us for A Celebration of Sound — a joyful evening of uplifting live music, community spirit, and local talent in support of the Mayor of Reading’s chosen charities.
Timeless Legends
Get ready to experience an unforgettable night where the music of Bob Marley, Whitney Houston, Dennis Brown, Jimmy Cliff, Prince, Marvin Gaye, The Abyssinians and Labi Siffre comes alive.
Performances from professionals and aspiring singers with live band.
Feel the magic of timeless hits played out through generations from the soulful ballads of Whitney Houston to the powerful rhythms of Bob Marley and the romantic lyrics of Dennis Brown.
Rock to the beat of Jimmy Cliff and Marcia Griffiths' unforgettable anthems and lose yourself in the melodies of Marvin Gaye and the Abyssinians along with the electrifying energy of Prince.
A night for all, whether you're a lover of reggae, soul, pop or R&B this concert celebrates the musical legends whose timeless songs shaped the sound tracks of our lives.
Chapel Arts Centre Bath
An Evening with Ma Bessie.
Building on her passion for the Empress of the Blues, Julia Titus performs as Ma Bessie, sharing the music of Bessie Smith and her contemporaries with a new generation of listeners. Julia’s rich, warm vocal sound brings classic blues and jazz tunes from the inter-war years to life, alongside original songs and hand-picked covers.
Building on her passion for the Empress of the Blues, Julia Titus started to perform as Ma Bessie in mid-2015 to share the music of Bessie Smith and her contemporaries with a new generation of listeners.
Mixing Julia’s rich, warm vocal sound with a dynamic group of musicians that look as well as sound the part, Ma Bessie combines classic blues and jazz tunes from the inter-war years with a selection of original songs and hand-picked covers, bringing the spirit of a bygone era to life.
The repertoire includes classics such as Careless Love, Nobody Knows When You’re Down And Out and, of course, Gimme A Pig Foot (And A Bottle Of Beer).
Tickets £15
Nighthawks Festival
https://nighthawks.info/
A festival of jazz, swing, blues, jump jive and other vintage sounds
22-24 May 2026
Blackpit Estate, Buckinghamshire, MK18 5LJ
Spirit of the Blues
Upwey Music presents Spirit of the Blues, featuring the excellent Julia Titus singing the blues of Bessie Smith, with a sprinkling of gospel and vaudeville songs. With Steve Graham (Tpt) and Mike Denham (Pno).
Music Box at Witney
Julia’s very special quartet - celebrating the raucous (and slightly naughty ) music of 1920s and 1930s
Julia Titus is perhaps best known to many fans as the leader of the music productions Ma Bessie’s Pig Foot band, but she has now produced a wonderful new show that features the music made famous during the years of prohibition in America - a time of Al Capone, illegal drinking, sex and drug deals with music sitting right in the centre of underground clubs called ’Speakeasys’. So expect the Blues, jazz and early swing music of greats like Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Box Beiderbecke, Ma Rainey and Cab Calloway (and many more). The lineup for this show will be Julia singing and narrating the show, clarinettist/saxophonist Clare Hirst, pianist George Webster and drummer Luke Trenwith.
A B Walker Annual Memorial Service
You are warmly invited to join us for a Memorial Service – Sunday 12th April, 3pm, at the Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin, Reading, RG1 2HX.
SOLD OUT Liverpool Philharmonic Ma Bessie’s Speakeasy
Ma Bessie returns for an unforgettable evening of music and storytelling, weaving through the intoxicating sounds of the 1920s and 30s Prohibition era. Celebrating the legendary voices of Bessie Smith, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and more, this captivating new show will leave you spellbound and wanting more.
Ma Bessie performs with George Webster on piano, Clare Hirst on Sax/Clarinet and Dom Geraghty on Bass and Luke Trenwith on drums.
Reading Easter Festival
Performing with Mat Foster and Dom Geraghty as part of the Easter Festival
Ma Bessie sings the Gospel blues
Returning for another afternoon of music and laughter.
Julia Titus guesting with Sunset Cafe Stompers
A fun night of Blues, Jazz and Gospel. Who knows what could happen. Always a fun night.
Brasserie Zedel residency
Welcome to Ma Bessie’s Speakeasy, a musical delight from a bygone era. Playing the jazz and blues classics from the 1920s onwards, as well as some hidden treasures, vocalist Ma Bessie aka Julia Titus, pianist George Webster, saxophone/clarinet Clare Hirst and bassist Chris Hyde-Harrison take a journey through this forgotten time.
Please check Zedels website for each evenings timings as they vary during the week.
Cafe Boheme Duo
A duo performance with Ma Bessie on Vocals and Luke on guitar. A great way to spend the weekend. A mix of prohibition Jazz and Blues and a touch of Gospel.
Ma Bessie’s Speakeasy Jazz & Blues Night
Experience the soulful sounds of jazz and blues.
Ma Bessie’s Speakeasy
Come on down to Ma Bessie’s Speakeasy for a night of live jazz, good vibes, and old-school fun - it's gonna be a blast!
Ma Bessie & her Pig Foot Band
Building on her passion for the Empress of the Blues, Julia Titus started to perform as Ma Bessie in mid-2015 to share the music of Bessie Smith and her contemporaries with a new generation of listeners.
Mixing Julia’s rich, warm vocal sound with a dynamic group of musicians that look as well as sound the part, Ma Bessie combines classic blues and jazz tunes from the inter-war years with a selection of original songs and hand-picked covers, bringing the spirit of a bygone era to life.
The Pig Foot repertoire includes classics such as Careless Love, Nobody Knows When You’re Down And Out and, of course, Gimme A Pig Foot (And A Bottle Of Beer).
Tickets £20
Spirit of the Blues
Actress poet, singer and songwriter Julia Titus with Mike Denham on piano and Steve Graham on cornet, recreate the songs of the great blues and vaudeville singer of the 1920s, Bessie Smith along with a selection of Gospel numbers.
Twisted Halo Garden Party
Twisted Halo Garden Party organised and hosted by our very special friends at Angel Bar! And they are so special they have offered Date in the Diary members discounted early bird tickets! Sssshhh don’t tell everyone…
So glam up and party at Caversham Court this September, from 5pm onwards, Angel Bar will transform the Caversham Court Gardens into a glamorous hotspot, offering live music, refreshing cocktails, delicious food and non stop entertainment.
The live music line up:
Jewels and the Jacuzzis, a 5 piece band delivering a fresh, upbeat mix of soul, reggae, blues and disco.
Selina and the howling dogs are a reading based upbeat, funky blues rock band.
Plus Ma Bessie peforming Jazz and Blues celebrating the music of Bessie Smith.
And it doesn’t finish there as from 10pm there is a DJ set from Gold Dust Radio who promise to create a ‘party’ atmosphere.
So come and join the fun with a big singles group of Date in the Diary members and let’s party and have some fun again this summer. Discounted tickets are early bird until end of July so get booking to take advantage!
Ma Bessie Duo
Julia Titus aka Ma Bessie singing the blues accompanied by Matt Foster on guitar.
Jazz & Blues Night featuring Ma Bessie
Tickets £5. A night with Ma Bessie with a live band. Experience the soulful sounds of Jazz & Blues.
Cafe Boheme Duo
A duo performance with Ma Bessie on Vocals and George Webster on keyboard. A great way to end the weekend. A mix of prohibition Jazz and Blues and a touch of Gospel.
Events Calendar
View our events calendar here. If you have a free evening, we would love for you to join us!