The Big Bang lived up to its reputation last night. What a stupendous gig, all three played out of their heads. Simon Spillett steeped in British jazz, John Critchinson, keyboard legend, and Oxford bass player Paul Jeffries kept it swinging all night. Two varied sets with wonderful ballads such as "Weaver of Dreams", Tubby Hayes composition "Off the Wagon", and they closed the second set with a blistering version of "Cherokee", which John Critchinson obviously enjoyed immensely. Simon Spillett's playing has grown in stature over the last few years, now not a mere Tubby Hayes impersonator, if he ever was as some critics implied; he is now a formidable talent of world class.

Would Dexter Gordon have sounded as he did if it wasn't for Lester Young? Great jazz musicians learn from the past masters and build their own style from that foundation. The Big Bang are to be applauded for bringing musicians of this calibre to Oxford. Long may they continue to do so.

Groover 27 Apr 2011

The Big Bang on Walton Street has been trialling a new jazz night on Wednesdays (£15 for two sausage and mash dinners and jazz accompaniment). Due to its success it will now run for a further 8 weeks from 15th March 2006. This award-winning restaurant is very popular (the night we were there, all the tables were taken), so you are advised to book in advance. Jazz starts at 8pm and it’s a good idea to arrive 10-15 minutes early to get seated. We had a table downstairs directly opposite the band, and I expected it to be too loud, but luckily this wasn’t the case. The music itself is true ‘dinner jazz’: it doesn’t detract from the food or take centre stage, but adds to the atmosphere. The evening involves 40 minutes of jazz, followed by a short break and then a further 40 minutes of jazz. And of course the food. All the produce is sourced locally within 20 miles (the sausages for example coming from the Covered Market). A new addition is a local lager brewed just down the road in Chipping Norton, which has a sweet, smooth taste. With the meal, we had a bottle of Merlot, which was more than satisfactory. Since Daily Info first reviewed The Big Bang, the menu has been extended and there is now a choice of starters. I had the goat’s cheese salad which was a delight to the senses – the warm cheese contrasting with the cold salad. A sweet chutney accompanies the tartness of the goat’s cheese. My friend chose the soup, so that we could sample both options on offer. Unfortunately it was a little cold and served without bread. However the waiter was extremely apologetic and offered us complimentary wine. The main event is of course the bangers and mash. Eight different types of sausage are on offer, including two vegetarian options, plus specials. All meals are served with peas, red cabbage and fried onions. I opted for wild venison sausages over a garlic and rosemary mash with red wine jus. The robust gamey flavour of sausages was perfectly complimented by the caramelised cabbage. My friend’s spicy Thai veggie sausage (from the Specials menu) was full of flavour, but he thought it could have been spicier for his taste and heated through better. Portions were generous. If you have room for dessert after this hearty winter fayre, there is a choice of three ‘school-dinner’-style puddings. Not to be defeated, we tucked into the treacle roly-poly (a standard suet pudding) and the divine rhubarb and gooseberry crumble (recommended), delicate and full of flavour but not too sweet. A top evening’s entertainment. Go and catch the jazz night while it’s still running and stuff yourself silly with sausage. Smashing!

AnnabelleS 13 Mar 2006

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