Howard Colinese who is the promoter of Jazz @ Mandolay was a qualified Arborist for nearly 28 years, and ran his own company Surrey & Sussex Tree Surgery for 20 years. He worked locally and abroad and had a customer base of over a thousand clients. In 2006 he discovered he had a lung disease from breathing fine sawdust over a sustained period of time. He had always loved music and played the guitar since he was 19 years old. After diagnosis of the lung problem he sold his business and applied to study full time at The Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) and whilst studying he joined a band of fellow students and the function band “Barcoda” was formed. www.barcoda.co.uk The band play regularly at corporate events, weddings and parties and some members have even played as far afield as the Middle East. Howard successfully completed his studies and emerged with high marks and very encouraging remarks from the tutors. One such tutor was Giorgio Serci who was a great help to Howard's success, they met regularly for tutorials and a good friendship rose out of the study and hard work. Shortly after the course finished Giorgio contacted Howard and asked if he would become his manager, when Howard saw the list of artists Giorgio had played with or supported he couldn't refuse! Howard approached the Mandolay Hotel where he used to look after all the tree surgery, and spoke to the hoteliers Stephen & William Haye about letting Giorgio do a gig there. They immediately saw the potential and suggested starting a new Jazz venue in their amazing underground conference facility. So in February 2008 Jazz @ Mandolay was born, numbers have risen steadily and the average to date is 103 per jazz night. Please click on the artistes links or web links to find out more about all the top musicians who have played at the Mandolay. History is the recording of something happening now and being looked at later, this venue is without doubt unique. Its success and future depend on Howard himself working hard along with all the hotel staff to create an evening to remember, bringing in bands with great talent to entertain and be remembered, and also the kindness of guests who come and tell others about this superb night out in Guildford. So with your help we hope to create history here and have people talking about this great venue, with world class musicians, sumptuous food and also the stage for young musicians and school jazz bands/orchestras to be heard for many years to come. Thank you for your time in reading this and your support for Jazz @ Mandolay If you have any comments you can always contact me through the contacts page on this website. Howard Colinese ( Amphib Music Events)