Jazz at the RNCM this Autumn

                                                     Julia Biel by Jenna Foxton

The RNCM have published their Autumn/Winter listings and jazz fans have some interesting choices for gigs this October.

Ropes Project (October 12th)

We've covered this one before - this is Mike Walker's ambitious new project with large ensemble. There's a 22 piece string section, some of Mike's closest musical collaborators and a whole bunch of new music.

Julia Biel (October 15th)

The Independent called her the best British vocalist to emerge in an age and she's been taking festivals by storm in recent years. This is the kind of gig that will appeal both to those who love jazz and the rich history of vocal jazz legends and to those who love singer-songwriters and troubadors.

Gondwana Records Presents...(October 22nd)

Matthew Halsall is one of Manchester's golden boys and he's back at the RNCM following a sold out appearance last year. Not only will you get the Gonwana Orchestra, you'll also get to hear two other bands currently on the Gonwana roster - Mammal Hands & John Ellis's new project Evolution: Seeds and Streams.

There's a whole lot more happening too, so check the RNCM website for full information.

Matthew Halsall & The Gondwana Orchestra head to Montreal

Manchester's Matthew Halsall and his Gondwana Orchestra are representing jazz in the North and in fact in the UK as a whole as one of the few UK artists featured in this year's Montreal Jazz Festival.

Running from June 29th until July 9, this is one of the world's leading jazz festivals and artists from across the globe peform on a number of stages. The Gondwana Orchestra will perform on the TD stage on June 30th at 6pm. Another Manchester artist, blues guitarist Matt Schofield will also perform.

Halsall is widely considered to be at the cutting edge of Jazz in the UK and is regularly nominated for awards (including JazzFM's UK Jazz act of the year and Gilles Peterson's Album of the Year to name two recent ones...)

To find out more about Matthew and his music, visit his website. For full details on the programme, visit the Montreal Jazz Festival site.