Bebop up the Thames to Hampton Court Palace (From Croydon Guardian)

Bebop up the Thames to Hampton Court Palace

9:00am Sunday 26th August 2012 in Freetime By Shereen Ali

For those of you who love jazz, a beautiful view and sumptuous food, then a jazz cruise on the Thames could be just what you need to start the autumn.

The cruise, back by popular demand, begins at Chiswick pier and goes up the Thames to the majestic Hampton Court Palace and back in a three-hour round trip that includes a two-course meal.

Jazz quintet Anacousis will play from a repertoire spanning the past 50 years, including Gershwin, Rogers and Hart, John Coltrane and Miles Davis among others.

The band, who all met during a jazz workshop at a community centre in Richmond, feature the rare frontline combination of alto saxophone and bass clarinet, and band member Dave Thomas said the cruise always gets a great reception.

Thomas, who played in blues and soul bands in the 1960s, says: “It’s always a beautiful evening and the food is great. People have come up to us at the end of the gig and actually thanked us and said what a good time they had.”

There will be a two-course cold supper served by Pisarro’s restaurant.

Organiser Gill Exton says: “The cruise is a great way to see what the borough looks like from the river, it’s surprisingly different.”

Jazz Cruise, departs from Chiswick pier at 7pm on Friday, September 21. Tickets £35. Call 020 8742 2713, or 07594 596729.