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Don Weller Quartet
Paul Towndrow's Newology with support from the John MacNaughton Quartet
Louise Parker band with Alex Garnett
Dave O'Higgins band with Eric Alexander
Liz Fletcher Band
Tom Cawley Trio - Curios with support from the Andrew Woodhead trio
Centre-Line with Darren Altman and Russell van den Berg
(Friday 12th February 2010)
Premier quality modern jazz from pianist composer Kate with her latest band featuring the outstanding playing of guest Stan Sulzmann.
Recipient of the John Dankworth award for Talent Deserving Wider Recognition Kate has released four CDs, each critically acclaimed. This new version of her band with Stan Sulzman has been touring since early last year and includes her top drawer collaborators of long standing Jeremy, Tristan and Gareth.
"Kate
Williams is not only one of the subtlest pianists currently operating
in the UK.. but she is also a highly skilled composer of immediately appealing
but absorbing themes." - Chris Parker
Kate Williams - piano
Stan Sulzmann - tenor sax
Gareth Lockrane - flute
Jeremy Brown - bass
Tristan Maillot - drums
Latest
CD: The Embrace (33jazz168)
Web:
www.kate-williams-quartet.com
and
www.kate-williams-quartet.com
Top
Kate Williams
(Friday 19th February 2010)
Veteran of the British scene since the 1960s when he was associated with Stan Tracey, Weller has always been a favourite figure with a completely distinctive style.
Since Major Surgery (his jazz-rock outfit) onwards he has constantly written attractive music for his ensembles - whether big bands or electric quartets - and who can forget "Great Big Fat Juicy Ones" or the poignant tribute "Gloesy Row".
Don Weller - tenor sax
David Newton - piano
Andy Cleyndert - bass
Spike Wells - drums
Latest CD: Nine songs (with Bobby Wellins) on Trio records
Web:
none
Top
Don Weller
With support from the John MacNaughton Quartet at 7:30pm
(Friday 26th February 2010)
Sponsorship for this gig comes from Geoff and Judith Waterhouse in memory of Barry Sempers. More...
This is Paul’s most exciting band ever. If you’ve been to Wakefield to hear his original quartet or sextet performances with Brass Jaw, or sitting in with Ryan Quigley, then you’ll know just what an accomplished and inventive player he is. He was a shoe-in to be one of the featured soloists in Tommy Smith’s Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. Alyn is the featured player for that Orchestra’s tribute to Buddy Rich (to be seen at Gateshead’s International Jazz Festival next month); a phenomenally committed and energetic player. At this album’s launch in Glasgow it was obvious how much Mike relished playing with the band – he took off and flew on every solo. With the added sophistication of Steve Hamilton at the piano and Mark Hodgson on bass the total musicianship is extraordinary.
“From the heat and light generated by this sextet, you'd never guess it recorded this set in the depths of a Scottish winter, powered only by an emergency generator. Out of it came an album which oozes fiery intensity from first to last." - Pete Martin, Jazz UK
Paul Towndrow - alto sax
Mike Walker - guitar
Steve Hamilton - piano
Mike Janisch - bass
Alyn Cosker - drums
Latest CD: Newology (Keywork Records)
Web:
www.MySpace.com/paultowndrow
and http://paultowndrow.ning.com
Paul
Towndrow Video:
Top
Paul Towndrow
(Friday 5th March 2010)
Louise is a singer based in Plymouth but about to gain national exposure. She guested on Humph’s last CD (Cornucopia 3) and has played Huddersfield and Leeds recently to very favourable comment.
Her repertoire is all jazz standards sung with a big, gutsy, soulful, sound. A warm personality goes with this so, all in all, what’s not to like?
Alex Garnett was last seen in Wakefield sparring with the American Joel Frahm in a really friendly competition which showed him off well. He will give Louise a soloist’s boost.
The trio led by Craig Milverton travels up with Louise to play the arrangements Craig has worked up for her.
"Here’s
a splendid new voice on the block taking cheerful liberties with the song
‘Love Me Or Leave Me’ by songwriter’s Donaldson and
Kahn, and swinging like fury in the process."
- Humphrey Lyttelton
Louise
Parker - voice
Alex Garnett - tenor sax
Craig Milverton - piano
Al Swainger - bass
Coach York - drums
Latest CD: No More Strangers
Web: www.louiseparker.co.uk
Top
Louise Parker
(Friday 12th March 2010)
Dave describes this collaboration as “an old-fashioned two tenor roar up”. Meeting through Kristian in Norway, the affinity between him and the American was so close that they arranged a UK tour last year culminating in a set of dates in Ronnie’s. They enjoyed it enormously, selling out in most venues, and so they are repeating the experience this year – to our benefit.
Eric has had an almost 20 year career in the US leading on 20 or so CDs and appearing on at least 60 others. His regular quartet features the legendary Harold Mabern.
This season has seen Dave’s reappearance at Wakefield after too long an absence and he is now on his fourth visit – the only one specifically booked. What a welcome return though – he has thrilled us again and again on each occasion. We can expect more of the same tonight. A truly powerful rhythm section will drive the whole thing along.
Dave O’Higgins - tenor sax
Eric Alexander - tenor sax
Andrew McCormack - piano
Kristian Leth - drums
Arnie Somogyi - bass
Latest CD: Sketchbook (Jazzizit) - SKU: JITCD0950
Web: www.daveohiggins.com
and www.ericalexanderjazz.com/ Top
Dave O’Higgins
Eric Alexander
(Friday 19th March 2010)
Liz was introduced to Wakefield by Alan Barnes for whom she sang on the two collaborations with Alan Plater – Songs for Unsung Heroes and Seven Ages of Jazz. She has a wonderfully engaging personality and has been back as band leader since. It is time we invited her to sing for us once more and this visit will coincide with a special birthday in the Club – she’ll make a very happy man feel old.
The top musicians she brings with her guarantee a night of terrific jazz. It has been too long since Brandon or Leon has been to play for us.
“A
very talented jazz singer with that lovely gift of cool restraint"
- Campbell Burnap, Jazz FM
Liz Fletcher - voice
Brandon Allen - tenor sax
Leon Greening - piano
Ben Hazleton - bass
Latest CD: Blue Afternoons
Web: http://lizfletcher.com
and Top
Liz Fletcher
With support from the Andrew Woodhead trio at 7:30pm
(Friday 26th March 2010)
Tom’s first appearance here with this trio brought a standing ovation, which he claimed he was unused to. The taste of the Wakefield audience knows better – where pianistic excellence is concerned they’re a discerning lot. Winning “Best UK Band” in the 2007 BBC Jazz Awards lifted Tom to become an in- demand player in a variety of contexts as well as for his teaching and mentoring (of Kit Downes for example – they made an album together). His mature style (developed since leaving Acoustic Ladyland) is best appreciated in the company of these musicians with whom he has now played for 5 years.
Only his obsession with Formula One causes one to question his judgement – he has even written a tune for Jenson Button (MBE)!
“Intricate,
witty and profoundly musical, Curios have become, within two albums, the
most formidable piano trio in the UK." - MOJO magazine
Tom Cawley - piano
Sam Burgess - bass
Josh Blackmore - drums
Latest
CD: Closer (Impure Music)
Web: www.MySpace.com/tomcawley
and www.myspace.com/curiosband
Top
Tom Cawley
Tom Cawley's Trio
Easter Break (Fridays April 2nd and 9th)
(Friday 16th April 2010)
Both co-leaders of this band trained in Leeds. On moving to London both gained massive experience playing with most of the UK’s jazz greats and also Carla Bley, Phil Woods and John Warren. They maintained contact through this joint project which earned more and more work around the capital. Russell is now back up North and, naturally, seeking gigs in which his signature band can be featured. Ex-NYJO drummer , Darren still lives in London but will see a great deal of the M1 this year as they fulfil their many engagements.
Hugely respected among musicians, they have an accessible contemporary style which gives full rein to the extensive and real-world improvisational skills of the members.
“This band sounds like a unit. Aggressive but playful, this is the language of jazz, but not at the expense of spontaneity”. - Tim Garland
Russell
van den Berg - tenor sax
Darren Altman - drums
Simon Colam - piano
Jez Franks - guitars
Jon Harvey - bass
Latest
CD: Centre-Line GLP / Capri Music
Web: www.MySpace.com/centrelinemusic
and www.russellvandenberg.vpweb.co.uk
Darren Altman and Russell van den Berg