A prominent figure on the UK Jazz scene , the multi-award winning tenor saxophonist Karen Sharp is universally admired for her melodic, accessible yet distinctive, saxophone playing. Her career took off when she was asked in the early 2000’s to join iconic UK trumpet player Humphrey Lyttelton’s band, with whom she recorded and toured worldwide for four years. This led to her not only establishing her own bands but to appearing as a soloist with an impressive array of high-profile artists, including the likes of US stars Scott Hamilton, Warren Vache and Bucky Pizzarelli as well as many of the finest UK musicians. More recently she has also been involved in performing with larger ensembles including the Guy Barker Big Band at the BBC Proms, the Stan Tracey Big Band and the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra. With six albums to her name as leader she has won the British Jazz Award for best tenor saxophonist on a number of occasions and has been a nominee in the Rising Star category of the US Downbeat Critics Poll for baritone sax in both 2018 and 2019. For the lunchtime jazz performance, Karen will be joined by GARETH WILLIAMS, one of the UK’s leading jazz pianists, and Marianne Windham on bass The lunchtime jazz is held in the Cafe at the Guildford Institute, which boasts a baby grand piano as well as delicious food. Food is served from 12 to 2pm, followed by live jazz performance from 2pm to 3pm Please click the tabs for more information