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Tony Kofi Quartet
Geoff Eales New Trio
Todd Gordon - The Genius of Johnny Mercer
Mark Moraghan 'Moonlighting' trio
John Etheridge Trio North with Dave O’Higgins
Stephen Keogh Quartet
Barnes / Adams Quintet with Sara Colman
Jason Yarde with Andrew McCormack
Gareth Williams Power Trio
Sam Crockatt’s Quartet with Kit Downes
Simon Spillett Quartet and Art Themen
(Friday 30th October 2009)
Paul is a fine trumpet player who has specialised in the interpretation of the Afro-Cuban music of the Yorubas in the Americas. He plays with Salsa outfits and many jazz ensembles, but in his own band concentrates on the jazz flavour that goes so well with those rhythms. His band is an eclectic mix of nationalities all touched by a Latin, even Hispanic, influence; the Caribbean, Spain, Italy and Uruguay all figure in its members’ antecedents.
During a twenty year playing and recording career Paul has matured into a fine musician and bandleader, as the stability of the membership of this group attests. Wakefield Jazz is the only Yorkshire club to have brought this exciting band North, so it will be the first opportunity to hear them since January 2006.
“In this band he lets rip, soaring into his upper register with short, choppy phrases in the best Afro-Cuban tradition, or creating moody atmospheres with his harmon mute” - Alyn Shipton, The Times
Shanti Paul Jayasinha - trumpet / flugel
Julian Siegel - tenor sax
John Crawford - piano
Andy Lafone - bass
Motti Cohen - drums
Latest CD: Round Trip (Candid Records – CCD 79848)
Web:
www.shantijazz.com
Top
Shanti Paul
With support from the Tessa Smith Band from 7.30pm
(Friday 6th November 2009)
The quartet made its name by playing the entire canon of compositions of Thelonious Monk and through this gained an immense experience of their joint capabilities and have “solidified” as a band.
Tonight’s programme will feature compositions from three of the band members, including Tony himself. He is a very busy musician and squeezes this performance in between an appearance with the renowned World Saxophone Quartet and a European tour with the American Jamaladeen Tacuma.
It will be a pleasure to welcome Trevor for the first time at Wakefield. Berklee-trained brother of singer Cleveland Watkis, Trevor was a founding member of Gary Crosby’s Tomorrow’s Warriors and now plays all the London and New York jazz venues.
Winston is a favourite at the club , known for his exciting expertise. Expect energy-filled, sophisticated modern music from a very “together” group.
The Tessa Smith Band will consist of:
Tessa Smith - voice
Aidan Shepherd - piano
Sam Vicary - bass
Matt Walker - drums
Tony Kofi - saxes
Trevor Watkis - piano
Ben Hazelton - bass
Winston Clifford - drums
Latest CD: The Silent Truth (Specific Jazz – SPEC 008)
Tony Kofi
Tessa Smith
(Friday 13th November 2009)
This exciting piano trio shines a new light on Geoff Eales and reveals additional talents beyond those we know from his last appearance at Wakefield Jazz. He has written his own material for the new album and much of that will be performed tonight; Geoff the composer. He has also chosen a master bassist and sophisticated drummer to drive him along and so his style of playing will be beyond that of the antecedents who have influenced him; Geoff the modernist. He will also mix in some fresh versions of old chestnuts to balance the original material and provide something for everyone who loves great piano playing; Geoff the interpreter.
"Reinvention
is in the air these days and pianist Geoff Eales has caught the bug. His
"Master of the Game" (Edition) casts off any emulation of others
as he aims for a personal (and successful) rebirth. All eight pieces are
his, magisterial bassist Chris Laurence and drummer Martin France the
expert mid-wives." - Peter Vacher, Jazz UK June/July 2009
Geoff Eales - piano
Chris Laurence - bass
Martin France - drums
Latest CD: Master of the Game - Edition records (EDN 1011)
Web:
www.geoffeales.com
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Geoff Eales
(Friday 20th November 2009)
Todd subtitles this performance and album “Moon River to The Days of Wine and Roses” in case you need reminding what fabulous songs Johnny Mercer was responsible for. 2010 is the centenary of this legendary lyricist - in fact he would have been 100 on 18th November.
The concert Todd organised in Edinburgh this June to celebrate the same material featured Clare Teal, Carol Kidd and of course Todd with Sir Michael Parkinson host of the show. He presents the same concert at London’s Pizza Express, as part of the London Jazz Festival, immediately before coming to Wakefield. It will be a relaxed and comfortable entertainment in which Todd’s charisma and mellifluous voice will win over all who meet him for the first time.
"Gordon is terrific with the textural palette astutely varied by a top-drawer supporting cast” - Peter Quinn, Jazzwise
Todd
Gordon - voice
David Patrick - piano
Alec Dankworth - bass
Steve Brown - drums
Latest CD: Moon River to The Days of Wine and Roses
Web: www.toddgordon.com
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Todd Gordon
Mark
Moraghan 'Moonlighting' trio. New Linn artist - prelaunch
tour (Wednesday
25th November 2009)
Richard Weeden - piano
TBA - bass
Chris Hempsall - drums
Web:
www.markmoraghan.com
and www.myspace.com/markmoraghan
Read
the review of his CD "Moonlight's Back in Style" here
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Mark Moraghan
With support from the Mila Dores Quartet from 7.30pm
(Friday 27th November 2009)
John will have completed a recital tour with John Williams the night before this gig. Here he will have an opportunity to shake out the cobwebs and spar with a completely different musician – Dave O’Higgins. He relishes the prospect of exercising his jazz chops once more. It is a delight to have Dave O’Higgins back at Wakefield in yet another context; after a period of absence he just keeps popping up.
John’s regular local partners Ben and Dave make up the band.
“With his distracted, Tommy Cooper-like cackle and air of embarrassed amateurism, John Etheridge likes to give the impression he has no idea what he's doing. But there's never a moment's doubt about his awesome authority whenever he touches a guitar” - John Fordham, The Guardian
John Etheridge - guitars
Dave O’Higgins - tenor sax
Ben Crosland - bass
Dave Tyas - drums
Latest CD: Trio North Stitched Up JazzCat JCCD111 - 2007
Web: www.johnetheridge.com
and www.myspace.com Top
The Mila Dores Quartet will consist of:
Mila Dores - voice
Eirik Berg Svela - guitar
Sam Vicary - bass
Ali MacDonald - drums
Dave O'Higgins
John Etheridge
(Friday 4th December 2009)
A rare band led by drummer Stephen Keogh who has invited his Irish compatriot Michael Buckley to join him. Michael was last heard in Wakefield with Stephen's legendary Urban Jazz Quintet which boasted Julian Arguelles and Peter King together with Buckley. Long-standing partner Jeremy Brown co-led that group too. Frank Harrison plays with Gilad Atzmon's band and Stephen was a regular feature with Peter King's quartet.
“.
. . demands careful listening and will repay it with numerous examples
of elegant phrasing, exquisite tonal colour and delicate well-designed
interplay.” - Barry Witherden, The Wire
Stephen Keogh - drums
Michael Buckley - saxes & flute
Frank Harrison - piano
Jeremy Brown - bass
Web: www.globalmusicfoundation.org
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Michael Buckley
(Friday 11th December 2009) - Christmas Party Presentation
For our Xmas bash we need a great band which can be sure to entertain. Could any other description apply to Alan and Bruce knocking sparks off each other musically and verbally?
With Robin, Simon and Bobby it is certain that the quality of the music will be terrific too.
But the icing on this Christmas cake will be the singer we’re bringing from Birmingham. Sara is a graduate of Birmingham Conservatoire and was among the elite group of artists selected for the Jerwood series of Rising Star concerts at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival. She has already made her mark by singing alongside Liane Carroll and Jacqui Dankworth in the vocal trio ‘Passion’. Her own quartet was chosen to open for Madeleine Peyroux at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall. We shall be delighted by her sophisticated approach to both standards and original compositions and, once again, are the first club to bring her North.
"And then there's Colman's singing. A naturally soulful and emotionally true voice, connecting you and drawing you in.. ..and that's surely the most important thing about great singing." - Ian Shaw
Alan Barnes - saxes
Bruce Adams - trumpet and flugel
Robin Aspland - piano
Simon Thorpe - bass
Bobby Worth - drums
Sara Colman - voice
Latest CD: Ready (Sara) on Qnote Records (QNT 10112)
Latest CD: Spontaneous Combustion (Barnes/Adams) on Woodville Records
Web: www.saracolman.com
and www.myspace.com/saracolman
and www.woodvillerecords.com
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Alan Barnes
Bruce Adams
£12.00 / £10.00 (Friday 8th January 2010)
This amazing septet can only be presented at our standard ticket price thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Brand family.
As with our All Star sextet last May, a family celebration was the excuse for a co-operative venture to present a selection of Appleby favourites at Wakefield. There will be specially composed material among the treats we shall be offered and a guaranteed night of uproarious fun is in store.
Even if you don’t know the Brands (long-standing supporters of the club) come along and have a fine time with the best of British straight-ahead jazz players.
Alan
Barnes - saxes, clarinet
Andy Panayi - saxes, flute
Steve Waterman - trumpet
Mark Nightingale - trombone
Andy Cleyndert - bass
David Newton - piano
Clark Tracey - drums
Latest
CD: Ken Peplowski meets Alan Barnes Doodle Oodle (Woodville Records)
Web: www.woodvillerecords.com
and www.myspace.com/alanbarnesyeah
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Brand X
£12.00 / £10.00 (Friday 15th January 2010)
Jason’s activities as a composer have taken over his life so much that his performing opportunities are fewer than the paying public would wish. Most recently his role as LSO Discovery Panufnik Young Composer has occupied his talents. His writing for WAH! and the duo with Andrew is also remarkable and shows his Jazz credentials well.
Both these artists make their first appearance for Wakefield Jazz but Jason has “paid his dues” since his days with the Jazz Warriors (for whom he became MD) before the millennium. Andrew was Music Critics and BBC Jazz Awards Rising Star in 2006 and has established himself well in the Dune co-operative. He is also a sophisticated composer for the duo. We shall hear contemporary jazz of a matchless quality where references to Classical music, the whole of jazz history and popular music may be presented in a tumbling cornucopia of experiences. The future sounds of jazz indeed.
Mike Pickering has visited Wakefield with Billy Jenkins and Larry Bartley with Byron Wallen.
“ One of the most exciting talents on the UK jazz scene. His debut album, Telescope, does not disappoint. Ultimately this is an album where you do not have to hit the skip button.” - STRAIGHT NO CHASER on Andrew
" …the scale of Yarde’s achievement is… obvious. His compositions range over varied terrain, from cataclysmic pile-ups to moments of hushed intimacy; he directs almost imperceptibly, teasing out the melody or chord that will lead to the next section, and allowing his musicians space to stretch out… no ordinary band and no ordinary leader…" Jazzwise
Jason Yarde - alto sax
Andrew Mc Cormack - piano
WAH!
trio with Jason
Larry Bartley -bass
Mike Pickering - drums
Latest
CD: Telescope (Andrew)
Web: www.myspace.com/andrewmccormack
and www.myspace.com/jasonyarde
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Jason Yarde
Andrew McCormack
Gareth
Williams Power Trio
With
support from the Kim Macari Quintet from 7.30pm
£12.00 / £10.00 (Friday
22nd January 2010)
Should anyone ask “Where are all the great Welsh jazz players?”
– they’re in this band.
Gareth’s long association with Claire Martin brought him to the
notice of the jazz community and to Linn records for whom he has now recorded
for the first time. A relaxed and almost careless performer, when the
chips are down Gareth can turn on the heat and create with the best of
them. A challenging gig with Joe Lovano last year brought out the best
in him ; he competed and shone in that company.
This trio is a formidable combination of the powerful and sensitive, in
turn, playing music which is almost all Gareth’s own. Impressionistic
pieces mix with funk and bop, maintaining interest through their variety.
If you’re not a Gareth Williams fan yet, you will be after this
gig.
Laurence Cottle is the UK’s Jaco Pastorius and Ianto (as his friends
know him) has the drive of Geoff Watts yet the delicacy of James Maddren.
“...a pleasingly varied, but consistently
powerful album from a fiercely but sensitively interactive trio”
- Vortex
Gareth Williams - piano and keyboard
Laurence Cottle - electric bass
Martin France - drums
Latest CD: Shock ! (Linn Records AKD 326)
Web: www.garethwilliams.biz
and www.myspace.com/garethwilliamspianist
The
Kim Macari Quintet will consist of:
Kim Macari - trumpet / flugel
Riley Stone-Lonergan - saxophones
Peter Lee - piano
Tom Riviere - bass
Katie Patterson - drums
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Gareth Williams
(Friday 29th January 2010)
Since graduating from the Royal Academy Sam has built up a wealth of experience playing jazz around the best clubs in this country and Europe. His recorded quartet included Gwilym Simcock on piano but if you haven’t met the amazingly versatile Kit Downes yet then this is a prime opportunity.
Sam has only visited Wakefield with Kaz Simmons’ band in which his chance to shine was limited. In his own band, it goes without saying, he will be the leading light. Tim Garland says “the sun shines in his music” suggesting that Sam is not only a relaxed and confident improviser but that his tunes are based on elegant melodies which bring a smile to the face.
“A top class debut album, with performances full of power and invention, delivered with precision, poise, and grace” - Helen Mayhew
Sam Crockatt - tenor sax
Kit Downes - piano
Oli Hayhurst - bass
Ben Reynolds - drums
Latest CD: Howierd (Loop records)
Web: www.myspace.com/samcrockatt
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Sam Crockatt
Simon Spillett Quartet and Art Themen
This
concert is dedicated to the memory of Geoff Lofthouse, an enthusiastic
supporter of Wakefield Jazz. We thank Pat Lofthouse for her generous
sponsorship.
(Friday 5th February 2010)
Those who heard Simon’s first performance for Wakefield Jazz two
years ago can’t fail to recall his powerful and virtuosic technique.
His musicality is also unquestionable, for his ballad playing is just
as moving as his rip-it-up barnstorming. We shall expect no less tonight
and, as an added bonus, the unique sounds of Art Themen will be set against
the immense energy Simon exudes; a rare treat indeed.
With a dream rhythm section to drive everything along and contribute their
own expert soloing, this band can’t fail to entertain.
Simon’s first CD under his own name was voted Record of the Year
by Jazz Journal in May 2009.
“Those of us who have heard him...have
been left blinking in disbelief. It's not just his mastery of the tenor
saxophone, phenomenal though that is, but the absolute conviction of his
playing that is so impressive" - Dave Gelly (0n Simon Spillett),
The Sunday OBSERVER
Simon Spillett - tenor sax
Art Themen - tenor sax
John Critchinson - piano
Alec Dankworth - bass
Spike Wells - drums
Latest CD: Sienna Red (Woodville Records)
Web: www.simon
spillett.com
and www.myspace.com
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Simon Spillett