Name: On Impulse! An unforgettable night of the world's best modern jazz
Start: 2026-02-06T08:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-02-06T10:00:00+00:00
Location: Pump House Theatre & Arts Centre

On Impulse! An unforgettable night of the world's best modern jazz

Discover the great John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman album 'On Impulse'. Presented by a worldclass jazz quintet of Mark Lockheart, Marvin Muoneké, Alex Webb, Gary Crosby and Alfonso Vitale.
This show revisits the famous 1963 album when the legendary jazz saxophonist John Coltrane teamed up with vocalist Johnny Hartman to explore their favourite romantic standards.
Tenor sax virtuoso Mark Lockheart is joined by the extraordinary vocalist Marvin Muoneké and a top-flight rhythm section of Gary Crosby (double bass), Alex Webb (piano) and Alfonso Vitale (drums).
‘Marvin Muoneké is a vocal sensation.’ Jazz FM
As well as the songs from the album released on Impulse, the group explores other standards that Coltrane loved to play, including All Or Nothing At All, Out Of This World, Say It Again and a special vocal version of Moment's Notice. The original album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2013, 50 years after its release.
Hear the band:
Live at The Vortex (with Denys Baptiste):

Live at Alfie’s in Soho:

Official Video for ‘Forbidden Fruit’:

About the band
Marvin Muoneké is dubbed as 'The Young Man with The Old Soul’ and once you hear his voice you'll understand why, likened to Nat King Cole, Johnny Hartman and Billy Eckstine. He has toured with the award-winning swing band Down For The Count and sung with the Vince Dunn Orchestra and the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. He is a gifted songwriter, arranger and trumpet player.
Mark Lockheart is a saxophonist and composer who came to prominence in the mid-80s with the hugely influential big band Loose Tubes. The mid-90s saw Mark recording and performing with many artists including Django Bates, Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone, June Tabor, Robert Wyatt and Radiohead as well as his own group, Perfect Houseplants. In 2003 Mark joined Seb Rochford’s Polar Bear, which over a period of twelve years picked up two Mercury Award nominations. In 2016 he was awarded Jazz FM Instrumentalist of the Year and was nominated for the British Composer Awards for his composition ’With One Voice’. Mark completed a major jazz/orchestral work entitled ‘Days On Earth’ released on Edition.
Alex Webb is a prolific songwriter, arranger and pianist, whose songs have been recorded by jazz singers China Moses, Mina Agossi, Sandra Nkake, Liane Carroll, Allan Harris, Vimala Rowe and Alexander Stewart, among others. He is well known to all who follow the 'Watford Jazz Junction live at the Pump House' for his remarkable playing and exceptional show narrations.
Gary Crosby OBE is a leading jazz double bassist, bandleader, composer/arranger, educator, record producer, company director and facilitator. He was a founding member of the Jazz Warriors and is the Founder and Artistic Director of Tomorrow’s Warriors, providing a platform for talented young musicians pursuing a career in jazz with a list of international luminaries including Ezra Collective, Sons of Kemet, Nubya Garcia and Joe Armon-Jones.
Alfonso Vitale is a top-drawer jazz and classical percussionist. Originally from Messina in Sicily he is one of the most in-demand drummers in London today.
We're thrilled to be presenting an exceptional group performing legendary music in the run-up to the Watford Jazz Junction music festival in May 2026.
Information
Doors open from 7.15pm and the show starts at 8pm. The 2-hour show runs with 2 x 45 minute sets, starting at 8pm and at 9.15pm. We expect to finish by about 10.00pm including a full interval of 30 minutes.
Full bar available from 7.15pm and during the interval.
Free parking is available on site, and nearby in Century Retail Park (please check conditions of parking on arrival - usually 4 hours for free). The Pump House Theatre and Arts Centre is 4-minute walk from Watford High Street Overground Station.
Access
For disability access, please contact us at [email protected] to confirm a seat. We have 2 wheelchair friendly spaces available, each at the general admission rate of £27.50 with an additional carer's seat for free.