Community ‘amazed’ by unique jazz nights offering in Northampton launched more than a year ago
A growing community is “amazed” by a unique jazz nights offering in Northampton, which has gone from strength to strength since its launch in June 2024.
Daniel Perkin is the founder and organiser of Flamingo Jazz Nights, established with the aim of building a community by bringing a jazz club experience to the town. The offering allows people to enjoy world-class musicians in cosy and intimate settings on their doorsteps.
The founder says he always wanted to introduce something like this to Northampton, having visited his first jazz club in 2008 in New York as part of his university course.
“It’s like stepping into a different world,” Daniel told the Chronicle & Echo. “I love jazz music and used to play in a local jazz group in school. I still play the trumpet in bands to this day.
“It was an aim of mine to have a jazz club in Northampton as the cost is quite high. I chose to organise events rather than have a fixed premise as it’s cost effective and you choose the venues in the town. They’re intimate, high quality and you forget you’re in Northampton. That’s the experience I’m trying to create, where people are transported to another world.”
Each jazz night is hosted on a Friday evening, and Daniel believes this is a great way to end a week and welcome the weekend. Attendees can either come along and simply enjoy the music, or opt to dine alongside.
The size of each venue impacts the size of the bands they are able to welcome. The barn at The Sun Inn in Hardingstone is limited to trios and the tables are wrapped around the band in the exclusive venue that is separate from the main pub.
“Tables can be shared and you might end up with someone you’ve never spoken to,” said Daniel. “They will have an interest in jazz and may become lifelong friends. Everyone is friendly.
“We use local musicians, and musicians well-known on the London jazz scene and around the world. It’s a special place stepping into a jazz club and it’s not like a typical concert, it’s an experience. You’re not just there to enjoy the music.”
The evenings typically run from 7pm until 9.30pm and venues like Shipmans and The Arc have also been used to house Flamingo Jazz Nights. Daniel is looking to expand his roster of venues in 2026 and beyond.
Daniel runs this passion project alongside a job and it operates from September to March each year, with two events per month over that period.
He said: “I don’t see this as a job, I do it because I like jazz music and it’s a nice feeling to see people enjoying it. The musicians are complimentary of our audiences.”
Daniel was asked what feedback he has recently received from the Northampton community about Flamingo Jazz Nights.
“They think it’s so amazing that this exists,” he said. “You can’t go to a venue in Northampton, enjoy jazz music and eat at the same time. When you buy a ticket to go specifically to watch a jazz band, everyone is there for the same thing and there’s an amazing atmosphere.”
Daniel encourages anyone intrigued about Flamingo Jazz Nights to try it out as it is something different and he believes newbies will not be disappointed.
Looking to 2026, the founder hopes to expand this venture to different venues and hold more frequent jazz nights. A long-term goal is to host an annual event with capacity for hundreds to enjoy various bands throughout an evening.