Cafe Lento

The last gig at lento features one of the very first bands to play at lento- the Tom Neale Trio- and so is a most fitting way to end what has been one of the most exciting and enjoyable periods of live music that I've experienced. It was Tom, as a student of LCOM, who I first heard practicing his alto in an adjoining student flat to our cafe car park .Upon bumping into him I asked if he would be interested in putting a group together to do a small gig at the cafe. He agreed ...and they played, and have played many times since and then the snowball just rolled and rolled. And so to Friday.......
Starts 8ish- get here early if you want a seat
£6 on the door
Beers etc
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Ah, the joy that is "Tarantismo", bringing the music of Cuba right into the heart of Headingley! This will be a night to tell your grandchildren about ...
Get here early if you want a seat as we are going to take most of the tables out to make room for dancing.
... Starts 8ish £6 on the door
Beers , wines and mojitos on sale
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It's great to welcome back Jack and Martin to cafe lento as they are always incredibly entertaining!
This fantastically energetic duo of guitar, banjo and washboard play footstomping blues, ragtime, swing and folk like it was on the street corners of America in the 1920s, 30s & 40s.
A good time is guaranteed for all.....
... Starts 8ish £6 on the door Beers and wines on sale
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I love these guys! They weave melodies and rhythms around one another , hence their name - "In ' N ' Out Trio" This is such a chilled and gorgeous gig that epitomises jazz on a Summer's Evening ...
Featuring :... Paul Baxter - acoustic bass Stuart McDonald - sax Johnny Hunter - drums
Starts 8ish £6 on the door Beers and wines on sale
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Following the success of our first Levantine Feast we are creating Feast #2 on Saturday 23 June from 7.00 onwards.
The menu includes a vegetarian option and there will be a range of wines and soft drinks available too.
For 3 courses the cost is £19.50 per person and places are limited to 20 so early booking is recommended.
... Sorry but we can’t take bookings over the phone so please call in at cafe lento.
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Vipertime are an amalgam of jazz/rock/rhythm and energy- 2 , yes ,2 drummers , sax and guitar!!! Oh the sweet joy of moving to these musical maestros... This is THE gig of the summer so miss this at your peril.
Starts 8ish. £6 it’d
... Beers etc
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Yorkshire College of Music and Drama present a formidable line-up of amazing jazz musicians that'll thrill you to the bone!!!!
Featuring :
Nik Svarc - guitar... Tony Burkill -saxes Garrry Jackson - bass Steve Hanley - drums
What a mouthwatering line-up......
Starts 7ish Admission free by ticket from YCMD
Beers and wines on sale
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Always one of the best nights at lento, Des Hurley and friends will entertain you royally with the cream of traditional Irish music-making .
Starts 8ish Free admission
Guinness will be served....

The wonderful Steve "Silkhands" Hanley brings his latest incarnation 4tet back to lento and it's going to be a belter of an evening!
Featuring the massed talents of :
Kate Peters on sultry vocals... Sam Dunn on guitar wizardry Martin Longhawn on phenomenal keys/organ
Jazz at lento doesn't get much better than this!!!!!
Starts 8ish £6 on the door
Beers and wines on sale
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What can I add to the wonderful plaudits already heaped on this fabulous band of musicians? Except to say that if you love S.American song/guitar/percussion then you will absolutely adore this gig!!!!
Starts 8ish £6 on the door
... Beers + wines + pisco on sale
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London-based saxophonist and award-winning composer Matt Anderson presents a new quartet touring their forthcoming release, ‘Rambling,’ on Jellymould Jazz. The band seeks to bring together seemingly distinct musical influences, for example exploring the common ground between the folk music reminiscent of Matt’s rural upbringing in the North Yorkshire Moors, the bluesy, country strains of Bill Frisell and Scandinavian jazz, culminating in a lyrical and honest Afro-Celtic sound... world.
It's so good to welcome Matt back to lento and I am very excited to hear his new quartet. Can't wait....
Matt Anderson - Tenor and Soprano Saxophones John Turville - Piano Will Harris - Double-Bass Jay Davis - Drums
Starts 8ish £6 on the door
Beers and wines on sale
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Since it’s birth in the 1920s, swing has been music for celebration. The Big Easy have taken some of the greatest tunes by the giants of swing; Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima, Nina Simone and many more household names, added their own interesting arrangements to bring you a set of the finest swing tunes.
These guys are guaranteed to put a smile on your face and set your toes a- tappin'!!!!!
Starts 8ish £6 on the door
... Beers and wines on sale
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Jiannis makes a welcome return to lento, with his scintillating new trio. This is always a very special evening so put it in your diary now and make sure to come!
Featuring :
Jiannis Pavlidis - guitar... Martin Longhawn - organ Luke Flowers - drums
Starts 8ish £6 on the door
Beers and wines on sale
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"PROHIBITED STRANGERS"
Prohibited Strangers originally began as a quartet that explored and performed the tunes of the group 'The Impossible Gentlemen' and subsequent other British- based jazz artists, Kenny Wheeler, Nikki Iles and Iain Ballamy.
Taking inspiration from the above the group have been writing an array of original compositions to forge their own sound.
... Keys - Chris Bland Guitar – Kieran Gunter Bass – Will Stock Drums – Joshua Smout
Starts 8ish £6 on the door
Beers and wines on sale
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The Jordan Dinsdale Trio enjoys playing Latin, swing, ballads and songs with a groove. Taking influence from prominent 50's and 60's artists including Ahmad Jamal and Grant Green they aim to embody and celebrate SOUL in jazz, paying resrect to the rich history of the music, whilst adding their own twist.
Featuring :
... Jordan Dinsdale - drums Elliot Roffe - bass Joel Stedman - guitar
+ Will Howard (sax) guesting
Starts 8ish £6 on the door
Beers and wines on sale
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What a combination! Eirik and Aubin have both played previously at lento , but separately . Together they make the most glorious music so if you are a guitar fan (or just a lover of great playing) then this is a must see gig!
Starts 8ish £6 on the door
... Beers and wines on sale
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Hi,
Richard here, papalento to his close friends, and proprietor of the wonderful cafe lento.
My youngest daughter Kate and I started lento together in 2007 with a view to creating a warm and welcoming cafe like the ones we'd enjoyed on our various travels around Europe; a family run establishment that served locally produced food and was part of the community. Plus the decor had to be a reflection of our interests and tastes.
... In 2009 Kate took a year out to teach English in Madrid and decided on her return to pursue teaching as a career.
Now after nearly 11 years of splendid business, fantastic times, great music and many friendships made I feel ready to embark on new adventures- spending more time with Chris, my family , especially grandkids Emily, Joe, Mary and Cara. And enjoying more jazz ,books,films,cycling and travelling...
Hence the decision to sell cafe lento.
Personally I think the business would ideally lend itself to an individual or couple who may be looking to change their working lifestyle and who want to have the satisfaction of running things their own way.
If you are interested in finding out more (or know of someone else who is) and would possibly like to discuss things further then please contact me on info@cafelento.co.uk and we can meet up for coffee- I know a great place to go!
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A fantastic evening last night at lento from David, Johnny and Bruce- big thanks guys. Thanks also to the fab audience- we had a blast!!!!

Really looking forward to this wonderful sextet!
Toco Madera are :
Tom Sharp (trumpet)/Jess Clarke (vibraphone)/Matthew Aplin (piano)/Sam Dutton-Taylor (bass)/Brendan Bache (drums)/Alan Drever (percussion)
... A lively young sextet playing original compositions inspired by music from Latin America, Afro-Caribbean folkloric music and contemporary jazz: simple infectious bass lines and flowing melodies interwoven between the unusual trumpet and vibes frontline.
Starts 8ish £6 on the door
Bears and whines on sale
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perfect atmosphere! the games top it off, loved playing a bit of boggle with my cup of tea and apple pie!

lovely ambiance, really an oasis in Headingley - away from the big name coffee shops - has the music of the day up to see what is playing - food good home cooking some gluten free as well

Wonderful warm and friendly atmosphere. Richard and Christine are super and welcoming. A favourite place with the creme de la creme of jazz musicians

Very busy as always. Staff friendly and always buzzing around. Owing to a big party recently coming for breakfast we were told ours would be slightly delayed but we got free toast and jam to keep us going. Lovely venue

Un bonito cafecito en Headingley. Large dose of character, had a nice mocha and was impressed by the friendly staff.

This little coffee shop serves up great coffee and food & is child friendly too. What more could anyone ask for?

Thank you for showing me how to drink loose leaf tea without making mess � Very friendly place!

Such a warm and friendly atmosphere! Great people and great food!

Really chilled atmosphere - delicious breakfast and friendly staff.

Our first breakfast here and was not disappointed. Tasty and fabulous coffee too. Set us up nicely for the rugby.

My absolute favourite place when I visit Leeds.

It quite simply has a lovely chilled out, relaxing and friendly atmosphere.

Lovely, inviting atmosphere. Warm welcome and the food was delicious. Highly recommended

Lovely place! Great music, atmosphere, the best hosts anywhere, fine wine, beers and drinks - a great place to spend an evening!

Love this place it's like a second home. Super kid friendly and always a great chilled out atmosphere. The foods not half bad either! ;-)

xx

Great coffee and very friendly staff. Lovely little place.

Gorgeous bacon & egg sandwich, a lovely & friendly, cosy cafe :)

Good food, friendly staff! & cater for veggies & vegans ��

Friendly café with good food and regular live music events (Friday nights).

Food was beautiful! The place has so much character and the staff are so lovely, really genuine and helpful!

Fab food, service, atmosphere and VFM! Even Paul Carr would be relaxed!

Coffee is great, ambience is exceptional. Love it.

Amazing cafe and owner Richard makes any visit equally as amazing!

A perfect place to hang out, eat and drink whilst waiting for my car to be fixed at the garage. Really great atmosphere, music and service.