A poster for the cowshed jazz club with silhouettes of musicians

Cowshed Beginnings

Cowshed Jazz – “The Ronnie Scotts* in the Country”

The eccentric owners “Field of Dreams” in his own backyard.

Tucked away, just off the A505 near Ashwell is one of North Herts best kept secrets – the surprising but very exclusive and intimate Cowshed Jazz Club.

Operating just one evening per month, with a remit to raise funds for 3 important local charities, all profits from tickets will go to Mind, The 'Herts Young Homeless' Charity and North Herts Samaritans.

With advice from Industry leading Sound and Lighting Engineers, the venue - which was originally part of a 17th Century Dairy – boasts one of the best Sound Stages in the Home Counties in its architecturally soundproofed exterior.

Host Lawrie Alderman in association with local Jazz impresario - Marco Marconi presents an exciting programme of just 9 exclusive events in 2025, on the last Friday of the month featuring big names in the World of Jazz. Booking is imperative as the venue is only licensed for a limited number of people and no one will be allowed on the property without a ticket.

For those travelling from afar, we have local hotels to which we can recommend transport after the event, or to Ashwell & Morden train station with links to Kings Cross(50 mins) or Cambridge (20mins).

*Please note there is no affiliation between Ronnie Scotts and Cowshed Jazz aside from musicians who play at both clubs.

A picture of a piano and a picture of a venue outside

The Next Live Event at Cowshed Jazz Club 2026

Jo Harrop with Jamie McCredie, Sam Watts and Jihad Darwish

Friday 26th June

Jo Harrop is becoming a hot ticket in the Jazz World. Adding the Cowshed to her UK tour is a real treat for us and unlikely to be repeated.

Jo is a Jazz Singer who has used her sultry and smooth voice to establish herself as now one of the finest female Jazz Singers, she has received numerous accolades highlighting her jazz with intelligent lyrics and velvety vocals. Jo follows other great women in Jazz including Norah Jones, Billie Holiday and Diana Krall.

As an award-winning singer, songwriter and recording artist whose work effortlessly blurs the lines between jazz, blues and soul, with subtle influences of Americana, folk and Latin music. She first came to wider attention when Iggy Pop played her music on BBC Radio 6 Music, calling her “a very fine jazz singer,” following the release of Weathering The Storm.

There is always a beautiful intimacy at the heart of her music.

Her discography includes Weathering The Storm, The Heart Wants (with Hannah V, featuring Christian McBride), When Winter Turns To Spring (with Paul Edis), and The Path Of A Tear, recorded at The Village Studios in Los Angeles and produced by Grammy-winning producer Larry Klein.

When Winter Turns To Spring won Album of the Year at the 2023 Parliamentary Jazz Awards, while The Path Of A Tear received multiple four- and five-star reviews internationally.

Jo was chosen to support Gregory Porter on his 13-date UK tour in 2025, including four nights at London’s Royal Albert Hall. She has performed at many of the world’s most respected venues and festivals, including Ronnie Scott’s, the 606 Club, PizzaExpress Live, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center (New York), SFJAZZ, Newcastle City Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Manchester Arena, and The Glasshouse in Gateshead.

Frequently praised for her warm, smoky tone and emotional honesty, Harrop has been nominated twice for Vocalist of the Year. All About Jazz noted her ability to convey a wide range of moods “effortlessly and naturally.” While Bebop spoken here commenting on an earlier gig at the Greenote noted” Harrop’s vocals ranged from raw and bluesy to velvety smooth, her phrasing imbued with both classic soul and modern nuance”.

Line Up :

Jo Harrop (Vocals)Jamie McCredie (guitar) Sam Watts (piano)Jihad Darwish (bass)

What people are saying...

“This is just like Ronnie Scotts – in the Country”

James Pearson – Music Director Ronnie Scotts
“A real Class Venue – and Great Music- Well Done Lawrie”

Anthony F - Cottered
"Fabulous! Fabulous! – How lucky are we to have this on our doorstep"

Jacquie – Sandon
"Last night was fantastic….thank you and great to see The Ronnie Scotts All Stars Playing in Sandon!"

Tanya C – Barkway
Apparently - James Pearson said this already – but I agree this is like Ronnie Scotts in the Country!

Alan Barnes – Saxophonist
"Thanks for “having” us for the inaugural performance last Friday. A wonderful Venue and I was very impressed with it, the sound was fabulous. I wish you much success for the future and look forward to visiting as an audience member If I’m not playing! "

James Pearson
"So great to be able to have a fun evening at the same time as raise some money for a good cause"

Cathy - Hitchin
"Thank you, and great News that you were able to send such a generous donation to Help Young Homeless"

Sarah C
''Lawrie, Good evening as always. Thank you for all your efforts - and pleased that you were able to send such a good sum (£1100) to Samaritans.''

Clive G
"Fabulous evening of music last night. To score your eight questions from 1 to 10 on Music, Sound Quality, Service, Food etc - All 10’s!"

Julia B
"Lawrie, We feel extremely privileged that you have opened your doors in your personal space and established such a fantastic jazz club. We came to the opening night and then again on Friday, the only reason we don’t attend is due to diary constraints. We have never been to live jazz before but we are both totally bowled over by the diversity of styles within Jazz. Frankly, you have made a superb job of the end to end of the club; the staff are all extremely friendly and welcoming. The very generous donation to the Samaritans added a level of kindness and humanity. My only concern is I don’t feel like the audience give much back to the band in terms of toe tapping, and head bobbing! 😊 Thank you so much. We are busy for the next couple of months but will be back again after the summer. Have a wonderful summer Kind regards Carolyn GS Sandon"

Carolyn GS
“Hello Cowshed (Lawrence), I attended the Neil Angilley concert and was hugely impressed. My wife was very moved by the whole evening as well, you've really created something special there. I've submitted a request to be on the mailing list and can't wait to attend another concert. I'm very interested in the membership you mentioned on the night; offering discounts and early access to tickets.”

Steven King

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