Gig Preview: Jazz Jamaica at Howard Assembly Room, April 26th

One of the UK's best loved ensembles is playing at Howard Assembly Room in Leeds on April 26th.

Breathtaking stuff. Britain has its own rival to the Buena Vista Social Club. See them now before the rest of the world grabs them. - The Guardian

From the Howard Assembly Room website...

In 1991, inspired by the rhythms of traditional Jamaican music and the largely improvisational nature of jazz, leading double bassist Gary Crosby turned a musical concept into a joyful reality. His vision - a fusion of mento, ska, reggae and jazz, classic and modern jazz standards alongside Jamaican folk songs - resulted in Jazz Jamaica.

Since then, a stream of talented young jazz musicians have joined the Jazz Jamaica project. For Leeds International Festival, the 10-piece version of the band brings their exhilarating, spontaneous sound to the Howard Assembly Room.

Tickets cost £18.50 and can be booked on the Howard Assembly Room website.

Playing Stories Jazz Workshop in Manchester, July 29th

ADM productions, run by pianist and composer Alexander Douglas, is running a one day workshop entitled Playing Stories: Jazz and Beyond on Friday July 29th at the Trafford Music Centre in Manchester.

Aimed at young musicians aged between 11 and 18, this event will be led by Alexander himself and saxophonist Helena Summerfield. Special guests Gary Crosby and Nathaniel Facey will also tutor.

The workshop will take participants through a range of sessions and offer the chance to perform in both small and large ensembles to work on improvisation techniques, reading, interaction and more.

For more information on the workshop, visit the Playing Stories facebook event page, which also contains the email address to contact for enrolment forms. For more information on the work ADM Productions do, visit their website.

Jazz North Education Conference - Speakers Announced

Jazz North have announced the speakers that will take part in this year's jazz education conference on March 8th at Leeds College of Music.

Gary Crosby OBE will give the keynote address, discussing his work with Tomorrow's Warriors and his experience in supporting and mentoring young musicians as they transition into professional careers.

Gary will be joined by NYMAZ director Heidi Johnson, renowned improvising guitarist Chris Sharkey and trumpeter and educator Ian Chalk

A limited number of spaces are still available for those wishing to attend and full information can be found on the Jazz North website.

Hull Jazz Festival Winter Edition

Between 20th and 22nd November, J-Night in Hull will host its 23rd annual Hull Jazz Festival Winter Edition.

Taking place at the Hull Truck Theatre, the festival programme highlights J-Night's commitment to showcasing emerging jazz talent alongside established acts. Opening the festival on Friday 20th November, Jazz North Introduces 2015 winners Artephis will perform followed by the Alumni Band from the City of Hull Youth Jazz Orchestra.

Saturday's proceedings are led by bassist Gary Crosby with his Groundation - Singing Freedom! project. He brings with him a group of musicians connected to Tomorrow's Warriors including Binker Golding and Shirley Tetteh. NYJO perform later that evening and are joined by the City of Hull Youth Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Aesthetic and local school groups. Finishing off Saturday, saxophonist Andy Sheppard brings his Surrounded By Sea project to peform.

Finally, Sunday features LCoM alumnus Matt Holborn's Gypsy Jazz project for a Jazz Brunch.

Individual tickets are available from both the Hull Truck Theatre and Hull Uni and there is also a Festival Saver Ticket which means 3 gigs for the price of 2.

Information on the programme and tickets can be found on the J-Night website.

Hull Jazz Festival Summer Edition

The Summer Edition of Hull Jazz Festival kicks off today, opened by festival favourites New York Brass Band. Hosted at Hull Truck Theatre, there is a weekend of jazz featuring beloved vocalists and a celebration of A Love Supreme.

Singer Clare Teal brings her trio to celebrate the works of Doris Day on Friday and North East's finest Zoe Gilby closes the festival on Sunday with a Jazz Brunch with her quartet. There is a hip-hop double bill on Friday with the Abstract Orchestra and Akala and Gary Crosby pays tribute to the great Coltrane album A Love Supreme (which is 50 years old this year!) with his quartet featuring Denys Baptiste.

There are a couple of ticket offers available over the weekend; book three gigs in advance and see the cheapest for free and see all three Northern Line shows on Saturday for only £21.

To see the full details of the gigs happening at the festival, visit the Hull Jazz Festival website.