Watford singer Tiger Jazz, host of the popular Dial Up Open Mic events, will this Sunday 11th May feature on Channel 4’s much loved music show The Piano. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman and featuring superstar judges Mika and Jon Batiste, The Piano is now on its third series of warming hearts with its touching and emotional blend of life stories and beautiful piano playing.
Tiger Jazz is the swing-singing alter ego of teacher, writer and actor Alexander Williams, who says he was thrilled to be a part of the show. “The Piano has been one of my televisual highlights from its very first series, where the piano players had no idea they were also being judged and in a competition to win a place in a special one night only concert. No spoilers as to whether or not I make it through, but I will say it was a joy to be involved and I gave it my all!”
Alongside his singing and open mic hosting, Alexander is also host of the What’s On Watford podcast and a writer. He regularly shares poems from his collection Secular Verses, which was serialised in Humanistically Speaking Magazine, at readings across the UK, and has written a brand new one-man musical comedy called Love in Slough, the story of Jack, a middle-aged man in an unfulfilling marriage, whose directionless life is given an injection of vigour when he embarks on an unexpected affair. Based on the songs of Phil Craddock, this funny, fast-paced show is bursting with wonderful jazz tunes, sparkling with wit and stirring with poignant honesty.
Alexander met jazz pianist Phil when they performed together at the bandstand in Watford’s Cassiobury Park one summer. Phil gave Alexander copies of his original albums, which so inspired him that he constructed the entire plot of Love In Slough around his favourite songs. The show received its world premiere at the Watford Fringe Festival in 2024, and will be staged again this July at Watford’s Pump House Theatre, and Islington’s Hope Theatre as part of the Watford and Camden Fringe Festivals.
Tiger Jazz will also be roaring his way through The Great American Songbook at a range of gigs this summer, including the Bushey Performing Arts Festival, the Bossanyi Studio, the Watford Fringe Festival, Save Sunday Music at Roxbourne Park and Herts Pride, where he’ll also host the CEX Community Stage.
Future Dates
Love in Slough: a one man musical!
Sunday 27th July 8pm @ The Pump House Theatre and Arts Centre, Watford
Tickets available here. Part of the Watford Fringe Festival
Wednesday 30th July 7pm @ The Hope Theatre, Islington
Tickets available here. Part of the Camden Fringe Festival
The Dial Up @ Johnny's Bar!
Where: Johnny's Bar, 96 QUEEN'S RD, WATFORD, WD17 2NX
When: First Sunday of each month, 2-4pm
Free entry (suggested donation £5)
Join The Dial Up for a fantastic afternoon of performance and open mic! If you’re looking for a friendly and welcoming space to share your music, poetry, prose, drama, comedy, magic or dance, or just want a couple of hours of entertainment, then The Dial Up is the place for you! Each month has a theme but feel free to interpret or ignore it as you choose! All Welcome. Free entry (suggested donation of £5). Johnny's Bar is a 2 minute walk from Watford High Street; if driving, we recommend using the Sutton Car Park and walking across.
Sunday 1st June: Land, Sea and Air
Sunday 6th July: Disney Special
Sunday 3rd August: NO EVENT (summer break)
Sunday 7th September: All the Colours of the Rainbow
Sunday 5th October: Forgotten Heroes
Sunday 2nd November: Night at the Movies
Sunday 7th December: Christmas Party!
Tiger Jazz & The Dial Up Band
@ Bushey Performing Arts Festival
When: Sunday 8th June, 3:10pm till 3:30pm
Where: The Lake Stage, Mary Forsdyke Gardens, 1EA High Street Bushey
Free Entry
@ Bossanyi Studio
When: Saturday 5th July, 8-10pm
Where: Bossanyi Studio, Field End Road, Eastcote, HA5 2QL
Tickets £10 donation during the interval
@ Lanchestfest
When: Saturday 12th July, 12- 1pm
Where: Lanchester Primary School, Watford
Fundraisier for Lanchester Primary School
@ Watford Fringe Festival
When: Sunday 13th July, 4:15pm
Where: Colne River Room, Pump House Theatre, Watford
@ Save Sunday Music at Roxbourne Park
When: Sunday 3rd August, 12 noon till 1.30pm
Where: Roxbourne Park
FREE EVENT, donations encouraged during interval
@ HERTS PRIDE 2025
When: Saturday 30th August, 12-10pm (performance time tbc)
Where: Cassiobury Park, Watford
