For 6 months in 2008, Sarah ran the HMS President Jazz Series, an independent jazz series occupying the third Sunday of each month.  The last gig of that Jazz Series took place in November, and Sarah hopes to continue promoting jazz aboard the HMS President later this year. 

Please see below for the text from Sarah's article in the Autumn 2008 MU London Newsletter:


I’m sitting in my chair, watching the sun setting over the Thames, feeling the gentle rocking of the river, and listening to the glorious sounds of singing floating up from the jazz club below. This is the HMS President Jazz Series, a new jazz series that takes place on the 3rd Sunday of the month here aboard the HMS President.

The ship is a 1918 Royal Navy Warship, and the jazz club is hosted in the lower deck at the bow. This is the part of the ship where the workers used to sleep – you can see the hooks where they used to hang their hammocks in the ceiling. The ceiling is low, and the atmosphere intense. Such an intimate room, and such a perfect place to cosy up in as the sun sets.

You enter the jazz club via stairs that lead down from the floor of the upstairs bar. It feels like a real adventure! The upstairs bar is light, elegant, and relaxing, with a friendly barman and reasonably priced drinks. This is where you can spend your time chatting during the interval, or catching up with friends while the sounds from below float up to tempt you back downstairs.

I have been working hard to make this jazz series work, and it’s not easy! The musicians work for an agreed fee – as they fully deserve – so no matter how many people I get through the door, they will receive their full fee. This means that I need the continued support from jazz fans and musicians alike, to ensure that this unique and exciting jazz series can continue and establish itself as a popular London gig. The door charge is only £5 for students and MU members, and £10 full price.

The jazz series has been running for two months now, and so far we have featured the fantastic Joe Stilgoe, and the incredible Tammy Weis. Both beautiful singers; both born entertainers. Each month we have a showcase spot for up-and-coming singers and instrumentalists.

At the end of the evening there is a short open-mic, where the inspired audience members have the chance to sing with the incredible musicians who have graced the stage all evening.

An intimate, moving, inspiring and enjoyable experience, the HMS President offers a unique setting to some first-class jazz. ‘I love this place,’ says one audience member as he passes my table on the way out. After only 2 months!! I love it too, and hope to see you here soon, to experience it and fall in love with it for yourself.

Sarah Ellen Hughes.

HMS President Jazz Series Launch Night - Joe Stilgoe Trio 15/6/08