Robert Mitchell’s True Think
Art Themen Organ Trio
Os Caras – the Edison Machado Project
Hannah Horton Quartet
Ben Crosland Quintet plays Ray Davies
Tori Freestone Trio
Greg Abate + Wakefield Jazz House Trio
Jamil Sheriff’s Five Gold Rings
Dom Ingham Quintet
Wakefield Jazz Xmas Party
Robert Mitchell’s True Think
Friday 7 October 2022
Wakefield Jazz presents its opening gig of the new season and in their completely refurbished venue!
With an intriguing and spellbinding blend of acoustic and electronic sounds, Jazz, RnB, Spoken Word, film and folk influences, True Think is a multi-generational, multi-cultural ensemble with a truly unique sound and [is/are] led by pianist Robert Mitchell as they perform the music from their upcoming album “Hold The Light/The New Resistance”; a new recording of powerful songs of protest, love and peace.
Joining Robert (keys, percussion, sampler) on stage will be vocalist and songwriter Liselotte Östblom, multi-instrumentalist Zayn Mohammed, multi-genre bassist/keys player Tom Mason and drummer/percussionist Saleem Raman.
Robert Mitchell is one of the most significant voices in British jazz. Multi-faceted creator, pianist, keyboardist, composer, improviser, writer, poet and so much more. As Gilles Peterson put it “a very important, influential musician” and a relentless seeker and thinker, encompassing many art forms, musical genres and constantly pushing the envelope.
Robert Mitchell’s band True Think is yet another manifestation of this creative spirit.
Robert Mitchell – piano/synths/electronics
Liselotte Östblom – vocals
Zayn Mohammed – guitar
Tom Mason – bass
Saleem Raman – drums/Percussion
Website: robertmitchell.bandcamp.com
Art Themen Organ Trio
Friday 14 October 2022
An organ trio continues to be one of the most exciting (if rarer than they should be!) to listen to in the world of jazz and what could be better than one led by the inimitable Art Themen? This will be widely enjoyable, fun for the audience and the performers alike but this doesn’t detract from the fact the trio is made of three of the best jazz musicians you are ever likely to come across.
Art Themen has been described by The Observer as “One of the tiny handful of undeniably perfect jazz musicians” and has been a part of the British scene for over 50 years playing (amongst others) in the bands of Stan Tracey and Alexis Korner. He’s joined by organist Pete Whittaker (Nigel Price Organ Trio) and drummer Geroge Double (Shirley Bassey, Jack Jones).
Their album Thane & The Villeins is a collection of groove-led re- imaginings of quirky curiosities from the jazz canon, acting as a perfect vehicle for the twinkly mischief of this genuine grandee of British jazz.
Art Themen – tenor sax
Pete Whittaker – organ
George Double – drums
Website: georgedouble.com/hadleigh-jazz-records
Os Caras – the Edison Machado Project
Friday 21 October 2022
Os Caras is a dynamic and exciting Bossa Nova/Samba Jazz octet led by Wakefield based drummer John Settle.
The ensemble features some of the UK’s finest musicians and lovers of Latin music and purveyors of fine solos are going to be well served here!
The band is a tribute to the underrated pioneer of Samba and Bossa Nova on the drum kit, Rio De Janeiro born Edison Machado. In the mid-50s, Machado was responsible for translating the essential rhythms of Brazilian Samba onto the drum kit. After adding touches of his idols Art Blakey and Max Roach to his personal, fiery style, he became one of the most imitated and sought after musicians in Brazil during the 50s and 60s, thus becoming one of the founding fathers of the new Bossa Nova style.
Despite playing and recording with Sergio Mendes, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Os Bossa Três, Elis Regina, Raul de Souza, Chet Baker, Ron Carter and many more, his influence today is largely forgotten. Featuring some of the North’s top jazz musicians, the band aims to bring about awareness of one of the most important musicians you’ve never heard of!
Trumpet – James Atashroo
Tenor Sax – Jim Corry
Alto/Baritone Sax – Stuart MacDonald
Trombones – Stuart Garside and Tom I’anson
Piano – Andrzej Baranek
Bass – José Canha
Drums – John Settle
Photos: Shelly Mantovani at WeareallF
Hannah Horton Quartet
Friday 28 October 2022
Hannah Horton is a visionary jazz saxophonist and a melodic maverick. As a composer, bandleader and journalist, her music is rooted in jazz, folk and funk, and as a member of award winning Women In Jazz Media, Hannah works the jazz world in her own authentic way. Her most recent album Inside Out has received critical acclaim worldwide and she continues to wow audiences with her creative, compelling, emotive and alluring playing, alongside her warm and charming personality on stage.
“Hannah makes the big beast baritone sax sound like an angel” – Ian Shaw
Hannah Horton – tenor/bari sax
John Crawford – piano
Rob Statham – bass
Steve Taylor – drums
Website: hannahhorton.com
Ben Crosland Quintet plays Ray Davies
Friday 4 November 2022
“…a lot of affection, a lot of respect for those unforgettable melodies and a whole lotta damn fine playing…” is how Jazzwise described the Ben Crosland Quintet’s cleverly arranged versions of many of Davis’ favourite hits lovingly played by stalwarts of the British jazz scene.
Crosland himself says, “Ray Davies’ songs are rooted in the blues, music hall, popular song, variety and musical theatre – the perfect vehicles for jazz interpretation”.
And there’s a lot to love in this consistently swinging, easy to listen to ensemble.
Ben Crosland – bass
Theo Travis – sax/flute
John Etheridge – guitar
Steve Lodder – piano
Nic France – drums
Website: jazz-cat.com/projects
Tori Freestone Trio
Friday 11 November 2022
Since releasing their debut album “In The Chophouse” in 2014, this trio has cemented its place as one of the most exciting and creative groups in the UK today. With an unchanged lineup and a strong understanding, the music flows effortlessly between them.
Tim Giles’ creative and energetic drumming, Dave Mannington’s powerful and melodic bass playing and Tori Freestone’s sinuous and always inventive sax lines work seamlessly together to make this a highly original and dynamic trio carving out its own voice.
The trio has recorded two further albums on Whirlwind Recordings: “El Barranco” (2016), and “El Mar de Nubes” (2019), composed by Tori in Tenerife and infused with folk influences from the island.
Tori Freestone – tenor sax
Dave Mannington – bass
Tim Giles – drums
Website: torifreestone.com
Greg Abate + Wakefield Jazz House Trio
Friday 18 November 2022
One of the hardest-working jazz soloists on the planet and a firm Wakefield Jazz favourite, New York alto sax-man Greg Abate is touring the UK once more, putting a host of local trios through their bebop paces. Steeped in the tradition, Greg aims to play 225 gigs each year, thriving on riffing with different musicians in different cities every night. This is classic bebop jazz from the source, with Greg providing seemingly endless ideas and streams of creative thought, living and breathing the music.
Tonight’s homegrown trio features our very own Pete Rosser on piano, José Canha on bass and John Settle on drums.
Greg Abate – alto sax/flute
Andrzej Baranek – piano
José Canha – bass
John Settle – drums
Website: gregabate.com
Jamil Sheriff’s Five Gold Rings
Friday 25 November 2022
Jamil Sheriff has been a stand out member of the UK Jazz scene for over 20 years and has a reputation for pulling together exceptional bands.
Five Gold Rings brings the classic sound of the Blue Note quintet, with driving, swinging melodies and solos performed by these outstanding musicians. There’s something for everyone in this set, Blues, Swing, Afro Cuban, Funk, Hard Bop, Latin… all wrapped up in Jamil’s exquisite compositions.
With a frontline of alto saxophone (Jim Corry) and trumpet (Richard Iles), these two have performed regularly with names such as Jamiroquai, Kenny Wheeler, Mark Ronson, Martha Reeves, John Taylor to name a few.
One of the most swinging rhythm sections in the UK, Caroline Boaden (drums), Sam Quintana (double bass) and Jamil Sheriff (piano) are greatly in demand. Catching them together in this group will be a real treat.
Jamil Sheriff – piano
Jim Corry – sax
Richard Iles – trumpet
Sam Quintana – bass
Caroline Boaden – drums
Website: leedsconservatoire.ac.uk/about-us/tutors/jamil-sheriff
Dom Ingham Quintet
Friday 2 December 2022
Over recent years we have seen Wakefield’s own Dominic Ingham become a pioneering jazz violinist with a distinctive, highly personal style. One that is firmly rooted in his background of folk and classical music. His debut album was released in 2020 to critical acclaim and clearly highlights his talents as a performer, composer and band leader.
The quintet features four other rising stars on the UK jazz scene and they embark upon an adventurous journey through Dominic’s original compositions.
Dom Ingham – violin
Jonny Mansfield – vibes
Miles Mindlin – guitar
John Williamson – bass
Jay Davis – drums
Website: dominicingham.com
Wakefield Jazz Xmas Party
Friday 9 December 2022
Following the joyous occasion that was last year’s Christmas Party this year’s bash will be even more full of festive songs, sparkling playing, incredible food and a lot of smiles and laughs!
Wakefield Jazz Christmas House Band – featuring Patsy Gilbert and Emily Brown
Patsy Gilbert – Vocals
Emily Brown – Vocals
Dan Barker-Bey – Tenor Sax
James Lancaster – Trumpet
Ben Gilbert – Piano
Jose Canha – Bass
John Arnesen – Drums
Hits: 238
