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March to April 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Marlene
VerPlanck with the Roy Babbington Trio Tom Cawley’s Curios John Colianni Quintet Geoff Gascoyne Quintet Northern Jazz Orchestra Dylan Howe Quintet Esther Miller Sextet Nicolas Meier Quartet |
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Marlene VerPlanck with the Roy Babbington Trio Gallery (Friday 2nd March 2007) Marlene
is a very experienced artist who has always specialised in songs of classic
construction and feel, but not necessarily the ones which have been done
to death. Many of her favourites are those ballads which test a singer’s
breath control and were arranged by her husband, bass player, Billy (who
she met when both were members of the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra). A studio
singer for much of her life, she has crossed paths with Frank Sinatra
and Mel Torme. Jazz Journal International said of her latest recording : "It goes without saying that everything about this CD is exemplary. VerPlanck's voice is in excellent shape, her diction perfect, a word that might also be used for Billy VerPlanck's arrangements”. Marlene
VerPlanck - vocals |
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Tom
Cawley’s Curios
(Friday 9th March 2007) Tom
has been in constant demand since winning two awards in 1998. Most publicly
with Gwyneth Herbert and Acoustic Ladyland but also Dave O’Higgins
and the Royal Academy. |
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John
Colianni Quintet Gallery (Friday 16th March 2007) John is an American pianist who has paid
his dues with Lionel Hampton and, for over four years, Mel Torme. He has
a weekly gig with the legendary guitarist, Les Paul, at the Iridium club
in New York and comes to the UK regularly. He has visited Wakefield in
the company of exotic singer, Tira, on the last two occasions but this
time brings a swinging quintet. This
band is a departure for us but it will be a treat to see just which New
York musicians John brings with him – of one thing you can be sure;
we’ll have a good time. Latest
CD : Colianni and Company (Dolphin) |
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Geoff Gascoyne Quintet Gallery (Friday 23rd March 2007) After an extended period wearing a comedy
hairdo and touring with Jamie Cullum, Geoff has felt the need to express
his own musical persona once more. We are delighted to welcome him and
the lads back to Wakefield. Expect immaculately played accessible modern music with the foundation of virtuoso bass playing and Geoff’s lovely compositions. Geoff
Gascoyne - bass Latest
CD : Keep it to Yourself - Candid Records (CCD79798) |
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Northern
Jazz Orchestra
Gallery (Friday 30th March 2007) This is a real Big Band of 16 –
18 musicians from the North West which is led by drummer, Paul Rigby.
It is influenced by the work of Basie, Kenton, Mintzer, Florence, Ferguson
and Rich, all of which they play, but they work hard to develop their
own distinctive sound. Invited
to play at several Festivals (Glasgow, Grimsby, Swanage) they should give
us a roaring good time in Wakefield. |
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Dylan
Howe Quintet
Gallery (Friday 13th April 2007) Once again we welcome this hugely entertaining quintet which gave us so much pleasure on their first visit in September 2005. We have met Brandon (tenor) and Quentin (trumpet) in other bands since then but together, in this now long-standing band, they are devastating. Dylan released his third CD last year and a successful tour in the Autumn promoted it around the country on a 20 gig spin. There is no doubt that this hard bop (and more) band will be a treat for us tonight – as reported at the time of their tour: “This is contemporary, fresh energetic jazz played with brio and luxuriant swing that makes it music of today. Howe has that gift not only of swing, but to play oh, so quietly, making you listen to his very restraint, as he encourages his family of drums to talk together. Just file under a bloody good night out.” - Andy Robson (Jazzwise) Dylan Howe - drums Latest
CD : Translation (Live at Pizza Express) (Motorik 972) |
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Esther
Miller Sextet
Gallery (Friday 20th April 2007) Esther is a South African born singer who has given up a place at Medical School in Cape Town to live the jazz life. Now resident in the UK she has already had two Jazz Services supported tours and gained much acclaim. "Esther Miller sat in with my band for a couple of numbers at the Bull’s Head at Barnes, and it took no more than that to reveal her as a spell-binder. Voice, style and presence – she’s got it all. A great talent." Humphrey Lyttelton, August 2006 Her third CD, launched last June, shows her development almost complete and her mastery of the jazz repertoire wholly successful. Whether delicate and delicious on Waltz for Debbie or swinging Bernie’s Tune, Esther will entertain us all tonight. She brings with her a cracking team of like-minded musicians. Esther
Miller - voice Web : www.esthermiller.co.uk Top |
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Nicolas
Meier Quartet
(Friday 27th April 2007) Swiss born guitarist Nicolas Meier has been building a reputation around Europe with his Eastern-influenced music. The band “Orient” was formed some 10 years ago when Nicolas was studying at Berklee college in the USA. It is partly influenced by his love of the music from his wife’s homeland of Turkey and partly by his guitar heroes McLaughlin and Metheny. The energy brought to the band by Gilad Atzmon and Asaf Sirkis will be evident to anyone who has seen Gilad’s own band. It was a well-deserved tribute that they won the Revelations 2006 award at the Jazz a Juan festival last summer. "Meier is elegant in tone and bubbling with ideas.. . his originality as a writer, a player and a team leader dispatches any doubts" - John Fordham (The Guardian) Nicolas Meier - various guitarsGilad Atzmon - saxophones Asaf Sirkis - drums and percussion Tom Mason - bass Latest CD : Yuz (Naim records) Not yet released Web : www.meiergroup.com Top |
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