(Friday 12th January 2007)

Whoever nicknamed Claire the “Madonna” of British Jazz must have had a very short list of comparison points in mind – both are mothers perhaps. This charismatic artiste with the jazz awareness of an instrumentalist has never failed to deliver anything but the very best of musical entertainment. She performs in duo with Richard Rodney Bennett or Ian Shaw, in trio with Barb Jungr and Mari Wilson, leading her own band as tonight or fronting a larger ensemble such as the Laurence Cottle Big Band or the Orchestra of Opera North. In all these settings the audience only has ears for her. We are privileged to have such a star of the UK jazz world at our club tonight.

Web: www.clairemartinjazz.com Top

(Friday 19th January 2007)

This is a recently formed Big Band based in Leeds, employing the cream of the musicians in the area to bring the big band sound up to date.
Colin Byrne is the master-mind behind both the band its arrangements and some of the compositions they play. He directs them with energy, just as he expects their energetic commitment to the music.

Leaving For Home is the debut CD from Colin’s Jazz Orchestra, Big Band Byrne. It holds seven wonderfully crafted tunes for Jazz Orchestra. With overtones of Ellington and Mingus. Leaving For Home is a CD full of exciting compositions, soloists and contemporary big band music.

“...the band exhibit an infectious enthusiasm both for each other’s playing and for the material Byrne has provided for them, and the resulting album is a joyous celebration of big-band values: tight ensemble work, freewheeling solo features, punchy riff playing, fierce interaction between sections.”
Chris Parker, Vortex Jazz

Web: www.bigbandbyrne.com Top

Pat's career began in his home town of Oxford, where he led a quartet at the University Jazz Club. He journeyed through the ranks of the John Dankworth Orchestra before touring internationally with such diverse artists as Jack Jones, Lulu and The Animals. Between 1997 and 2002 he and John Critchinson fronted the Ronnie Scott Legacy Band, presenting a sincere tribute to the late saxophonist and club owner who cited Pat Crumley as one of his favourite saxophonists.

Nick Weldon is primarily known for his work accompanying singers such as Jimmy Witherspoon, Annie Ross, Carol Kidd, Mark Murphy and Sheila Jordan.

Tim Wells trained at Berklee in the US and worked mostly in Europe after he returned to live in Cologne. After moving to London in 1989 he formed his own quartet and subsequently worked with Alan Skidmore, Bobby Wellins, Tim Garland, Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone plus many visiting American soloists.
Mark Fletcher was seen recently with both Geoff Eales and Polly Gibbons and is a popular drummer with any band because of his rich inventiveness and amazing technique.


Pat Crumley - tenor saxophone
Nick Weldon - piano
Tim Wells - bass
Mark Fletcher - drums

Latest CD : Weaver of Dreams 33 Jazz Records (33Jazz086)

Web: none Top

We have been keen to extend an invitation to this special band whenever Ben Crosland has been able to pin John down in his busy schedule to join him for a short tour up North. The jazz which we have experienced has always been of the best and peppered with John’s anecdotes and solo guitar spots. We have also been delighted to invite guest soloists to join the band at Wakefield and create a temporary quartet.

This is another of those generous offerings where two bands tour together. Only Simon Thorpe appears with both bands.
John Donaldson has been heard at Wakefield in an enormous range of different bands, most recently with Tony Kofi’s Monk band. He always fits perfectly with the needs of the style of performance (even on an electric keyboard with Don Weller) but who is the real John Donaldson? A performance in duo with Mark Edwards stopped the Festival at Appleby two years ago and revealed a bit more of his talent. John will play Monk tunes and standards as well as his own compositions. With the quirky Asaf Sirkis (from Gilad’s band) to drive up the energy and Simon to keep feet on the ground this has to be a trio worth listening to.

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Born in Seattle and brought up in Northamptonshire Allison’s musical education was at de Montford University (Leicester) and the Guildhall for her postgraduate diploma. She held the flute chair in NYJO until she started her own band with which she has been working ever since.

Her CD Melody Express was record of the week in the Observer on its release when Dave Gelly said : “I defy anyone not to be charmed by this beautiful CD. Allison Neale plays the alto saxophone with a tone so light and airy that it melts at the edges.”

Web: www.allisonneale.com Top

(Friday 23rd February 2007)

Benn and Anita are both favourites at Wakefield. They made a CD together in 2004 (If You Never Come To Me) which was a knockout. Benn brought the American pianist Cecilia Coleman with him on his last visit – she was a knockout. As a rhythm section Martin and Mike are a knockout. Anita deservedly won the BBC Jazz Awards “Best of Jazz Award” last year; which was a knockout.