Gig Preview: Julian Siegel Jazz Orchestra in Lincoln, March 17th

Saxophonist Julian Siegel has announced a 6 date tour for his newly formed jazz orchestra, a 19 piece ensemble featuring many top UK jazz musicians.

Supported by funding from Grants for the Arts, the concerts will feature large ensemble arrangements of some of Siegel’s trio and quartet works as well as a new composition written specifically for the group entitled Tales from the Jacquard.

Audiences in the North will have the opportunity to hear this group when they play the Terry O’toole Theatre in Lincoln on March 17^th. They will also perform at De Montfort University in Leicester (14^th), Lakeside Arts in Nottingham (15^th), Ronnie Scotts in London (16^th), Guildhall Theatre in Derby (18^th) and Town Hall in Birmingham (19^th).

The Julian Siegel Jazz Orchestra are –

Nick Smart (conductor)

Tom Walsh, Percy Pursglove, Henry Lowther, Claus Stoetter (trumpets)

Mike Chillingworth, Jason Yarde, Stan Sulzmann, Tori Freestone, Gemma Moore (saxes)

Mark Nightingale, Trevor Mires, Harry Brown, Richard Henry (trombones)

Liam Noble (piano)

Oli Hayhurst (double bass)

Gene Calderazzo (drums)

Scholarship offer to attend the International French Jazz Summer School

For those among you who enjoy both good weather and great jazz education, the International French Jazz Summer School should definitely be on your radar if it isn't already.

Taking place in a chateau in the Languedoc Roussillon region of France, three courses run each summer - the main jazz course, a specialist singers course and the advanced improvisors course.

It has been announced that a very small number of scholarships are available to attend this year's advanced improvisors course which takes place between 20th and 27th August. These scholarships are available to front line players and bass players. This scholarship will reduce the cost of the course from £855.00 to £350.00. This price includes the tuition, accommodation, breakfast and evening meals.

The tutors leading this course will be Simon Purcell and Julian Siegel. Participants will focus on


•    contemporary approaches to jazz improvisation
•    repertoire - non-standard song forms
•    contemporary approaches to melody, harmony and rhythm
•    interactive rhythm section
•    devising effective approaches to practising jazz improvisation


Those interested in finding out more about the scholarships available should contact jazzsummerschool@aol.com. To learn about the course structure, location, tutors etc of this and other two course offered, visit the Jazz Summer School website.

Gig Preview: Phil Donkin Quartet at Wakefield Jazz

Bassist Phil Donkin brings his international quartet to Wakefield on Friday March 13th, playing material from his latest release on Whirlwind Records, The Gate (featuring Glen Zaleski, Jochen Ruckert and Ben Wendel).

Originally from Sunderland, Donkin has been a New York resident for a number of years, which is where he met and played with two of his cohorts on this gig, pianist Glen Zaleski and drummer Colin Stanahan. He is now based in Berlin though has been touring the UK recently with this band.

He is joined on this gig by British saxophonist Julian Siegel.

It's been a strong week for US jazz in the North, with Ravi Coltrane selling out Howard Assembly Room on Wednesday and this is sure to be a packed gig so arrive early!

Tickets - £14