The New Spirit of Acid Jazz featuring Special Guest Barrie Sharpe!

Following on from our epic Spirit of Acid Jazz club nights in Brighton we’re back at the Waterbear Venue on Saturday February 14th 2026 for a love drenched party not to be missed! Once again, rooted in the past but looking to the future we’ll be taking a musical journey back to the heady days of the early 90’’s as well as reflecting the scenes best new flavours.Expect an uplifting mix of Funk, Soul and Hip Hop with Jazz and Disco on a lush Funktion One sound system.Originating in UK clubland in the late 80’s and combining elements of the Rare Groove and Jazz Dance scenes the Acid Jazz movement blended Jazz chops with Funk grooves, Hip Hop Rhythms, and Soul swagger sound tracking clubs all over the globe.A myriad of live acts emerged including Jamiroquai , The Brand New Heavies, Galliano, James Taylor Quartet, Incognito, The Digable Planets, Incognito, Young Disciples and many more.Brighton was at the forefront of the Acid Jazz scene at the time with Russ Dewbury’s "Jazz Bop" live event showcasing many of these artists to packed out crowds 2000 strong! His Brighton Jazz Rooms club nights rocked the sound at the weekends.Come and join us on Saturday February 14th as Russ teams up with bona fide legend of the scene Barrie Sharpe! Barrie needs no introduction as an icon in both music and fashion. Barrie was an original architect of the "Rare Groove" scene running the hottest club night’s in 80’s London including the infamous "Cat in the Hat” and "Black Market" sessions at the Wag Club. Alongside vocalist Diana Brown, Barrie produced one of the scenes first underground club hits with "The Masterplan” which rocked dance floors worldwide. Sharpe was the man behind the seminal designer clothing brands "Duffer of St George" and “Sharpeye” Both combined a fusion of music and style that became a defining trend for many designers and artists. Jazz Rooms All star Live Percussionists Tim “Bongos”Mercer and Dal Robertson complete this stellar line up.

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The Spirit of Acid Jazz

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Host or Publisher Russ Dewbury