Jazz at Danny House: The Mike Wilson Quintet 'Unravelling Improvisation in Jazz'

About

Danny House is delighted to present a special evening of live jazz and musical discovery with the Mike Wilson Quintet, bringing their engaging event 'Unravelling Improvisation in Jazz' to the Great Hall on Thursday 5 March 2026.

Designed to appeal both to seasoned jazz listeners and those new to the genre, the evening offers an accessible and entertaining insight into the art of jazz improvisation. Led by saxophonist Mike Wilson, the quintet will draw back the curtain on how improvisation works why musicians make the choices they do, how ideas develop in the moment, and what listeners can listen out for.

The first part of the evening invites the audience to take part in light-hearted, informal improvisation exercises no musical experience required helping to demystify the language of jazz in a relaxed and inclusive way. This is followed by a concert performance from the quintet, allowing the audience to hear those ideas brought vividly to life.

The Mike Wilson Quintet features Mike Wilson (saxophone), Dave Morgan (trumpet), Neil Boxall (bass), Mike Lavelle (piano) and Dean Morris (drums). Mike Wilson has delivered similar lecture-demonstrations in schools and performance settings, and his approachable, conversational style makes the evening as engaging as it is informative. The repertoire will include familiar and accessible jazz selections, chosen with the Danny House audience in mind.
Set within the historic surroundings of Danny House, this event continues the houses tradition of hosting high-quality live music and intimate cultural experiences for residents and guests alike.