Ace space for jazz funk, soul and blues

Da Vinci play Newbury gig tonight (Friday)

Hungerford-based band Da Vinci will be descending on Newbury tonight (Friday) to perform at ACE Space in St Nicholas Road with an eclectic mix of jazz funk, soul and blues.

Led by songwriter and keyboard player Jim Johnson, the band also comprises a combination of guitar, bass guitar, saxophone and drums, with Johnson's daughter, Lydia, on vocals.

Although the music is original, with a handful of covers thrown in for good measure, it is strangely familiar which makes for an excellent evening for those who just want to listen as well as those who are in the mood for having a bop.

Johnson has performed with the likes of Brian Eno, the late Cozy Powell and the legendary Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac fame. He also notoriously declined an offer to join Mott the Hoople in their early days because he was busy with another band, to which he simply says “Oops!”.

“I went to the monthly Unplugged night at ACE Space the week before last and thought it was so friendly and intimate that I'm delighted Da Vinci have been asked to perform there,” said Johnson:

The organiser of the gig, Jane Mack, said: “I saw Da Vinci in Hungerford a couple of months ago and thought they were so good that I bamboozled my colleagues at ACE Space into booking them. As it happens, some of them know Jim Johnson which is why the idea has come to fruition.”

The hall is gradually being improved by ACE Space supporters and the Greenham Common Trust, who own the building. The latest project to be completed is the bar area which now has a brand new floor and a new hand-crafted counter.

Doors open at 7.30pm. Entry is £6 on the door and £5 in advance from Hogans Music in Craven Road and Jacqui's shop in Blenheim Road.

Under-18s are welcome with a responsible adult.