8pm Cellar Bar:
£12.00 Members£10.00 UB40, NUS, U21s £9.00
Tonight we feature another group of fine young musicians who launched their first album this year and recently performed in the RFH Purcel Room as part of the London Jazz Festival.
Coming out of the north London "Loop Collective" of musicians, the band members are each leaders in their own right and perform original compositions as Gemini that are melodious as well as contemporary.
The band's CD is titled "Emergence" and many of the tracks are composed by Jim Hart who has been a regular at Jagz in Ascot this year,playing Vibes in bands led by the likes of Alan Barnes, reflecting his versatility and maturity of his playing.
Ivo Neame is gaining respect both on sax and as a pianist, composer and leader.
They have an excellent rhythm section in Dave Smith on drums who is involved in numerous prjects involving African influences and Jason Hoiby on bass, with whom Ivo Neame plays in the band "Phronesis".
The guys all have myspace sites that can be reached via Jim Hart's. So go to his website and follow the links to the others and listen to some tracks from their CD "Emergence"
www.myspace.com/hartjj
A welcome return to South Hill Park, this time in the Wilde Theatre.Their second CD of 2004-5 was listed in Jazzwise magazine's recent list of 100 records that shook the World "Held On The Tips of Fingers"
We are not going to detail each band members' acheivements to date. If you are a Jazz fan you will know and if not a Jazz fan, well do not worry because this band incorporates a crossroads of folk, avant-jazz, raw punk and electronica with a side turning of Monk, Ellington and Napalm Death (allegedly)
The gig again lived up to expectations and the acoustics of the Wilde suited the epic quality of the original compositions that were both from the new CD and more recently penned. Check out the website,
www.polarbearmusic.com
Presenting a unique vocalist and musician/composer who was big in Brazil and who is now resident in the UK and forging a new career in Europe.
Being a musician in Brazil must mean that you are influenced by the Bossa Nova etc. This is the case with Cibelle. However, it appears that even there,she manged to extricate herself from replicating the well trodden road of Bossa and has developed her own voice.
Cibelle, pronounced "See-bell-ee" toured ealier this year and The Observer rated her as one of the "Top3 to see" with Bjork and Portishead. Cibelle has released a number of albums, ranging from the inevitable Bossa to more recent self penned and a totally different style of rather lovely music.
Why not find out what Cibelle is all about by surfing the net,where there is plenty of info, or go to this website;
www.cibelle.net
Tonight we present a band inspired by Cuban percussion and choral sounds originating from the Cuban "Yoruba" religion.
There are also workshops for your participation. Learn to Conga and find out how it came to be.Or shake your maracas in the Cuban percussion workshop.
The band members tend to vary as to who is available and we will be confirming these. Whoever is playing will be utilising the rhythms originating in Africa, but now part of Cuban music.Also chanting in the question and answer format, again from Africa and the days of slavery and worksongs, or chants. These chants are now part of the Yoruba religious music.
Presenting BBC Jazz Award winning Tony Kofi touring latest CD "The Silent Truth"
In 2005 Tony and the band gained the BBC award for best ensemble and the Jazz Parliamentary award for best album.
This session will be acoustic and in the recital room.
Tony has built a fine reputation over the years and featured at the London Jazz Festival in 2003 and 2007 playing all the compositions of jazz icon, pianist Thelonious Monk.Needless to say that the rest of the quartet are also in the same catagory as Tony and performed in 2005 on the award winning CD "All is Know", as well as on the London Jazz Festival gigs.
Tony leads the band on alto and soprano and began his career in the early 90s in the Midlands. Tony and the band delivered a performance of high quality; exciting improvisation and compositions that keep the audience hooked and wanting more. The band members interaction is well honed and Winston Clifford on drums and Jonathan Gee on piano enjoyed leading each ever onward, driving Tony's and each others'solos to fever pitch.Ben Hazleton on Bass was not left behind, far from it and the ensemble rocked. Tony has since gained the accolade of this year's BBC Jazz Awards' Best Instrumentalist which confirms what we thinkThe latest CD sold out at the gig;comprises originals from band members and some tracks can be heard on the following website;
www.myspace.com/tonykofi
Presenting a band that is wowing the jazz scene
Average age of this highly talented quintet is only 24 years, but they play with ability and experience belying that statistic and have impressed the jazz scene worldwide with their performances since their incarnation early last year.
Courtney Pine saw their potential and signed them to his Destin-e label, releasing the album in July.Prior to this, they had performed at The Noth Sea Jazz Festival and won the "Rising Stars" competition. To end 2007,the CD "EMPIRICAL" won the Jazzwise magazines "Album of the Year" award. As individuals,they are not wholly newcomers and have been nurtured in the London based Jazz Warriors set up. The band members are continuing their musical education at college as well as touring extensively.
Nathaniel Facey plays reeds and made an impact in Abram Wilson's, "Jazz Warrior" band formed in 1995. Shane Forbes, on drums was also in the same band and the CD "Jazz Warrior" on the Dune label is still available and well worth getting.Jay Phelps on Trumpet hails originally from Vancouver, getting involved in the London scene in 1999.Tom Farmer on double bass and to complete the line up, the youngest member at 21years is Kit Downs on piano. Having built the band up on this website, we were of course not disappointed on the night!!
In the 40s/50s when Jazz was starting it's faltering steps in the UK, the pioneers had to learn their trade by working their passage on the Atlantic liners. Arriving in New York, they visited the clubs to learn from their idols from whom they had already cribbed stuff of the 75rpm records.The young Jazzers of today are taking full advantage of the knowledge and experience available to them today in the UK and EMPIRICAL personify the progress of the last 60 years. The prospect for Jazz over future decades is awesome.
To emphasise the point Kit Downs is now the recipient of the BBC Jazz Award for Rising Star 2008.
They can be seen and heard on the website;
www.myspace.com/empiricalmusic
We present two headline bands
Theo Travis-Reeds,Flute,loops Mike Outram-Guitar Pete Whitaker-Hammon Organ Roy Dodds-Drums,percussion
Theo Travis has built a proven reputation for over a decade as one of the UK's most exciting reedsmen.This gig is one of the tour dates featuring compositions from the latest CD "Double Talk " The music is bluesy,melodic and atmospheric with a 60s psychedelic feel to the set.
Please go to Theo's website and sample four of the tracks to wet your appetite that can only be fully satisfied by attending this gig!. We can honestly say that our appetites were well and truly satisfied with a blistering set of yet another interpretation of the art form known as JAZZ.
Theo and mates incorporate many influences,but the one that stood out on this performance,delivered with passion as an ensemble,is Psychedlic Rock. Stood out, but did not subdue the all round jazzyness of the set.Every one was immacculate in their playing. However in keeping with the "rock" aspect, Mike Outram and Roy Dodds took the opportunity to let rip.
www.theotravis.com
Our other guests are direct from the USA.Percussionist Ravish Momin's Trio Tarana Ravish Momin:Drums and percussion Skye Steele-ViolinBrandon Terzic-Oud Checkout their February released CD "Miren (A Longing)."
Ravish Momin is an internationally acclaimed percussionist, composer and arranger on a short tour here in the UK.The trio produces music of haunting, vibrancy. Jazz, drawing on the Indian roots of Ravish and mixing influences from the Middle East and Africa to serve an exotic feast for us to savour. One of only six UK gigs, we are fortunate to feature this unique trio.
TRIO TARANA opened the evening and delivered a set of original compositions that had the attentive audience eager to catch every nuance of the beautiful and stimulating sound produced by the unusual line-up. OK,maybe not unusual outside of Bracknell. Either way one does not see an Oud that often at a Jazz gig.
The band's tour is their first to the UK and judging by the reception here, they will find an eager audience whenever they return.
ravishmomin.com
Talented vocalist, composer and multi instrumentalist
Mara is not a conventional Jazz singer.We anticipate an evening of soulful ballads, meaningful and witty lyrics,delivered in a silkily sultry timbre.
If you go to youtube or myspace Mara has some tracks and good videos there. She has a lovely voice and was delicately backed by Tom Herbert( Polar Bear,Acoustic Ladyland ) on bass, Lee Taylor on drums and Benet Walsh on acoustic guitar. The guys also enhanced the experience with backing vocals and harmonies. Mara signed for EMI last year and her first CD for the label is to be released shortly and we were treated to some self penned songs that will be destined for that.
Apart from her lovely vocalise, Mara also plays the Ukelele and the saw.The saw, played with a bow, was particularly effective with a haunting sound. All in all two sets comprising langorous love songs, some slightly Country and Western or Soulful.One jazz standard, "How Long Has This Been Going On" hinted at her potential for a few more genuine Jazz and Blues numbers in her sets.
www.myspace.com/maracarlyle
£12.00 Members £11.00 U21s and NUS £7.
This Ornett Coleman Influenced quartet is releasing their first CD on the Candid label on the 11th February.
Tracks from their new CD "All is Yes" can be heard if you go to their web site and use the myspace link.We think that you will be impressed, as we are.
How did the gig go?
In a recent interview they say that whilst they play free jazz, it is not the squeaky bonk variety and that their stuff is catchy, loud, anarchic, but danceable.
Yep,agree with that. The bass/drums were to the fore and laid the foundation on which the brass guys weaved their improvisations.Hip-Hop meets be-bop, may be the glib summing up,but it was more than that and Clive Dreamer is a wow on the skins. Catch them when you can.
The rhythm section is ex Portishead:Jim Barr on bass and Mercury Award winning Clive Dreamer on Drums. On Sax we have and ex NYJO member, Jake McMurchie and Pete Judge who has played in many kinds of format over the years,on Trumpet.
theblessing.co.uk
Jim Mullen-Guitar,Mike Gorman-Hammond Organ and Matt Skelton-Drums
Following his visit with Claire Martin last May, it is a pleasure to welcome back Jim Mullen, this time with his trio.The band has proved to be very popular on the touring circuit over the past few years and 2007 saw the release of their second CD of mainly self penned compositions that avoids the usual Blues based Hammond organ set.
So please join us for an evening of sophisticated, high quality jazz to lead us swinging into 2008.
Jim Mullen? This whole site could be filled with his CV. Well let's say he has been a leading jazz guitarist,composer and arranger for many years now and you know that when Jim is involved, the gig is one not to be missed.
There were line up changes for the gig with Ross Sheldon on Hammond, with Tristan Mailliot on drums. Tristan was last here with Roger Beaujolais and tonight was able to stretch out with some excellent breaks and solos. Ross is a relative newcomer; showing his growing credentials being earned at venues like the Vortex as a sidesman with many up coming musicians.Naturally, they and Jim gave us two vibrant sets and sent the audience back into the wet January night feeling good. Checkout CD "Smokescreen."
Jim has a website and there are various reviews of their CDs to be found by surfing the net using the CD title.
jimmullenjazz.co.uk
Julie is touring early in 2008 and gave us a very enjoyable taster tonight with her friend Ray Butcher on trumpet and they were joined by Jim Mullen for an impromptu and heartfelt interpretation of Georgia on My Mind. Julie will be appearing at Jagz in Ascot on the 4th May with an excellent line up including Ray, plus John Horler-piano and Tony Coe-reeds, Winston Clifford-drums and Paul Morgan-bass.That is some of the great line up on the the CD "What's It All About."
www.juliedunn.co.uk
Members £9.00 U21s and NUS £8.
Join us at our swinging Blues Party in the atmospheric Cellar Bar.
Guaranteed to blow away those, well- Mid Winter Blues!
Apart from having Blues and Rhythm and Blues numbers in his repertoire he includes well known and those not so familier Blues songs from all decades to now.
With his rough-edged vocals that could have come from Kansas City or N'Orleans low down joints,expect to be blown away by Snakebite's delivery and personality.
WE WERE!!! A Goodtime session and seasonal fun had by all.The Mighty 45s were called upon when the original band dropped out and as we knew they would,they did a superb job. Even the faux pas went well.
Zoe has been lauded as one of the finest young pianists in Europe and is a regular in the Clark Tracey quintet.This evening presents a new collaboration on unique interpretations of Bengali music, inspired by folk, film and popular music and Zoe's dad's 50s record collection!. A Time Out Review said "Atmospheric,lyrical pieces that have a simple haunting beauty"
Oli Hayhurst on double bass has a pedigree, being a founder member of Orient House Ensemble and Pat Illingworth is a versatile drummer popular in Rock, Pop and Jazz playing for among many others; Euryhmics,Mick Jagger,Joss Stone,Jim Mullen and of course Zoe. They both have My Space sites, so have a look.
This gig included music created for Zoe's new CD. Zoe and her friends,for they clearly have that relationship,were having fun creating great music and that made the evening an even more relaxed, enjoyable occaision. The fusion of the Jazz Trio with the violin, percussion and vocals from the culture of Bangladesh was magical, exciting and absorbing. Proving that improvised music acknowledges no boarders.Click below for Zoe's website.
zoerahman.com
Abram hails from New Orleans and since landing on these shores and linking up with the Dune label's talented troup, he is undoubtedly one of the top jazz Trumpeters currrently in the UK.However, not content with just playing, he sings and composes and 2006 saw the Ride!premier at the London Jazz Festival to a more than enthusiastic reception. As Dr John said "Ride is a killer.He's a bad mother! who can play his ass off"
We do not have the run down of the players in the ten piece band,but they will be the business.
Although the audience numbers were less than this terrific band warranted, where were you?-the performance thrilled and led to a not to be denied extra number from Abram and his superlative band members.These included, as some of the soloists, Denys Baptiste on reeds,Gary Crosby on bass and Errol Linton On Blues Harmonica. In fact all band members had scope to expand solos within Abram's suite and having personally seen Duke Ellington and his band perform his suite compositions live in the 60's, it was good to see and hear young performers today emulating those greats some 40 years on in their passion and expertise. Abram Wilson set the standard with his blistering playing,soulful singing and dramatic role play. He is already a performer to reckon with who will get even better. Please do yourself a favour and catch him when you can.
www.myspace.com/abramwilson
Wild Front Ear (yes that is correct),comprise locals, Trevor- guitar,Nicholas-Drums,James-Trumpet and Victor on bass.This will be their debut at SHP.Influences range from Glenn Miller to Mahavishno Orchestra with Armstrong/Miles in between.Gig numbers more likely to be self penned with Frisell, Scofield and Metheney covers.Take a look at the performers' sites
www.thesupperclub.mobi www.myspace/wildfrontear
Not to mince words,this band is HOT HOT HOT!!Their second CD of 2004-5 was listed in Jazzwise magazine's recent list of 100 records that shook the World "Held On The Tips of Fingers"
We are not going to detail each band members' acheivements to date. If you are a Jazz fan you will know and if not a Jazz fan, well do not worry because this band incorporates a crossroads of folk, avant-jazz, raw punk and electronica with a side turning of Monk, Ellington and Napalm Death (allegedly)
The gig lived up to expectations and a packed cellar audience comprising many younger generation were hooked on the powerful performance.Leafcutter John added something to Jazz that no other band yet seen at Jazz n Stuff has tried. May be that squeeking balloon will be the instruement of choice yet. The band is to release a new album this Autumn-beware! Check out the website,
www.polarbearmusic.com
This is the second of our occasional Blues evenings and is being held, thanks to a generous donation, in memory of the late Blues Club organiser at SHP, Ian Harwood.
Pete Molinari is a Man of Kent from Chatham, but with more affinity with the with 60s acoustic Blues/folk songwriters in the USA than sea shanties from that town's naval history.Pete's songs have had fine reviews and this will be his debut at SHP. Checkout these performers' sites
www.petemolinari.co.uk www.bullfrogband.co.uk
CDs to check out "Club Caravan"and "Round Two" http://www.cathead.biz/BigGeorge.html This was Blues at it's best.A punchy start from Bullfrog followed by Pete Molinari who soon quitened the audience with his thoughful lyrics and 60s type Folk Blues and the odd Golden Oldie of the period. George Brock was a revelation,playing from the soul and outside the conventions of 8/12/16 or any set number of bars to the Blues. His band manfully kept up,playing to the feeling.it was momentarily disconcerting,but we all got the hang of it and savoured the performance. George exited to a standing ovation, shaking hands and signing CDs long after the bar closed.
Tom Arthurs-trumpet with Richard Fairhurst has just released a CD comprising a suite of spacious, sensitive, intimate composition and improvisation"Mesmer."
There will be a contrast with the duo of Huw Warren and guitarist John Parricelli.
Tom Arthurs, still in his 20s, is an acclaimed trumpeter and is a founder of the f-ire collective off musicians pushing the boundaries these days.
Richard Fairhurst-has been winning awards and plaudits for his playing and compositions since the early 90s and has played with many of the UK greats of the jazz scene.
Huw Warren-2006 BBC Jazz Award for innovation and co leader of the band Perfect Houseplants,is described as a thrillingly lyrical improviser and utilises influences of Jazz, Classical and Folk in his compositions.
John Paricelli-accompanies Huw on the guitar: began his career in the 80s and was a founder of Loose Tubes who certainly took jazz forward a step or several. Since then John has become an artist in constant demand to play with the cream of the UK scene.
We had a night of excellent musicianship, inspiration and innovation from our four guests.
Tom and Richard gave us a set comprising classical piano runs with improvisation from Tom that as a whole was spellbinding and created an aura of blissful contemplation.
Huw and John's set was by contrast in keeping with foot tapping swing, jazz/folk, witty tunes and superb understanding bewteen two top artists.
websites to check out
www.tomarthurs.co.uk www.huwwarren.com
Formed in 2006 the trio have received rave reviews for debut CD "Displaced "
Bass:Richard Sadler
Drums: Evan Jenkins Join with Neil as a dynamic force, described as "dynamite live"
and they were! A sold out crowd were bowled over by the performance.
www.neilcowleytrio.com
Claire pays tribute to Shirly Horn showcasing her songs featured on her new CD "He Never Mentioned Love "
Guitar:Jim Mullen-a founder member of The Average White Band who then became one half of the Morrisey Mullen funk jazz duo of the 70s/80s,performing to enthusiastic reception at the Bracknell Jazz Festival during that period. Jim is also touring with his organ trio, so keep and eye open for that.
On this performance alone, Claire Martin is a vocalist who stands with the best in the long line of female greats. The cellar was almost sold out, but you could hear a pin drop during the most intricate phrasing of the slowest paced songs, enhanced by the always sympathetic backing from Jim Mullen and Steve Watts.The audience was enraptured, as the review posted on the website says " Excellent night last Saturday with Martin/Mullen/Watts. MORE PLEASE !!!"Thanks to Dennis Jones for that and let's have more of your views on the gigs please. www.clairemartinjazz.com
Masterful exponent of the vibraphone as heard on last years's CD "Sentimental"
Keys:Robin Aspland - once touring for six years with Van Morrison, Robin is now much in demand for his lyrical and sensitive playing.
Double Bass:Simon Thorpe - virtuosity covers 30s/40s swing to Contemporary and with the likes of Alan Barnes, Bobby Wellins, Stacey Kent.
Reeds: Dave Lewis- expect soulful and funky from Dave ex St Louis USA and now well respected around the London scene
Drums: Tristan Mailliot- again a musician that covers a wide spectrum and a sidesman to big players such as Peter King, Art Farmer, to name but two. Also a member of Acoustic Alchemy touring USA in early 90s
We had two two terrific sets and the audience loved Roger's wonderful playing of the vibes. An instrument that some of them had never seen or heard before.
www.rogerbeaujolais.com
Formed in 2006 delivering muscular hard-bop and funky riffs in sizzling performances and on CD "Sincerely Whatever"
Reeds: Ed Jones - renders his gutsy improvisations with a seemingly effortless panache.
Drums: Winston Clifford - stepped in at last minute. Wow what a substitue.So expressive and powerful a class act.
Bass: Ben Hazelton - spent 2002/3 in Washington DC on the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead scholarship and is a buzzing young bassist.
The guys gave us two sets to remember.Blistering solos from Damon and Ed with the souleful ballad thrown in to calm us down.The second of our sessions and another quality gig. www.damonbrown.co.uk
South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell RG12 7PA
box office: 01344 484123
Entrance tickest vary so please check with Box Office / Concessions usually for Member / NUS & under 21s
www.southhillpark.org.uk