Areya Quartet

Areya Quartet are back in Oxford on Saturday 23 October, playing at the Jacqueline du Pré Music Building (JdP) at St Hilda's College. It's their return to the city, and they're bringing the same mix they've become known for: 1950s bop, modern jazz and their own original compositions. The set runs for about an hour and 45 minutes, with an interval in the middle.

On stage, the quartet is Eva Fidler on saxophone, Alexander McNamee on piano, Arthur Bird on double bass and Ross Baker on drums. That's a classic jazz line-up — horn, keys, bass and drums — and the programme pulls from a few different places. The bop side of things looks back to the 1950s, while the modern jazz and original pieces bring it up to the present. It's a good spread for one night, so you'll get a bit of everything they do.

The gig is part of the JdP Concert Series 2026-2027. The building itself is at St Hilda's College on Cowley Place (OX4 1DY), and it's one of the city's smallest music venues, known for its acoustics. It does more than just this professional series, too — it hosts regular lunchtime recitals, university events, theatrical productions, art exhibitions and conferences, alongside community series like Cushion Concerts for families and for people with dementia. There are also five piano practice rooms and a recording studio available for hire. Its 30th anniversary in 2025 was a moment to mark its impact and set the foundations for the decades to come.

Tickets are £15, with a student price of £5. The concert starts at 7:30pm on Saturday 23 October at the Jacqueline du Pré Music Building, St Hilda's College, Cowley Place, Oxford, OX4 1DY.