Hebden Bridge Piano Festival - Marc Cary & Matthew Aplin, April

The annual Hebden Bridge Piano Festival takes place between April 21st and 23rd. As ever, there is a diverse programme built by director Dave Nelson. This year, there are a number of jazz events including the opening event on Friday 21st featuring LCoM alumnus Matt Aplin.

Friday 21st April, 6.30pm - Matt Aplin

Matthew Aplin is a Leeds-based jazz pianist, composer and arranger whose performances draw from a wide range of other traditional and contemporary styles, including classical, blues and pop.

He is involved in a number of projects , including Treppenwitz, an improvising trio who recently released their debut album on New Jazz Records, Short and Long Ditties.

Sunday April 23rd, 4pm - Marc Cary

One of the leading lights of contemporary jazz, New York pianist, keyboardist and composer Marc Cary is the master of a futuristic jazz-funk that ranks him among the most innovative and creative figures on the jazz scene. He holds tight to his roots in Washington DC’s go-go music scene, but Cary’s interests also include everything from Indian classical to Malian music to hip-hop. 

Sunday April 23rd, 6.30pm - Dave Nelson: Jazz Excursions

Featuring some of his compositions for solo piano as well as a few well-chosen jazz “greats”, Dave’s eclectic take on jazz mixes it all up with other styles including pop, classical, folk and world music.

For full information on the festival, visit the Hebden Bridge Piano Festival website.

NJN Jazz Advent Calendar - Treppenwitz (Dec 9th)

Behind door number 9 is Treppenwitz, a trio compromised of three Leeds-based musicians - Matt Aplin on piano, Tom Riviere on double bass and Steve Hanley on drums.

Fortuitously, the band released their debut album only this week, so we're pleased to let you hear a snippet of their new release - https://treppenwitzmusic.bandcamp.com/album/short-and-long-ditties

Treppenwitz, n. – treppen (stairs) + witz (wit)
An event or fact that seems to contradict its background or context.

“…(t)he main character in Treppenwitz is a miniature spiral staircase model paralyzed by its future, enchained by its past. It resents everything about its existence including the fact that it was carved by a craftsman rather than having sprung from the womb of a Matryoshka doll. Nor was it conceived as the creation ladder of Ramon Llull’s 14th century eight-step ascension theory…”

Treppenwitz is a project dedicated to improvisation and the exploration of sounds within open structures. It was formed in January 2014 after (though not because) a Philadelphian drummer, Matthew McGraw, left the city of Leeds. The music they make can be seen as an indirect response to this.

Their debut album, Short and Long Ditties is part I of II: the partial documentation of a series of recordings made on 25-26th November 2015 in Leeds Fold.

http://newjazzrecords.co.uk/artists/treppenwitz/

Two new releases from New Jazz Records

It's been a busy time for Leeds-based record label New Jazz Records. Run by composer and trumpeter James Hamilton, the label recently released Jamil Sheriff's debut trio albums Places Like This. Now, they are gearing up to launch two more albums at a special launch gig at HEART in Headingley on December 6th.

March is the second album double bassist Sam Jackson has released on the label. His group Drawing Hands have released a suite of 12 new pieces and will perform some of this new material at the gig.

Treppenwitz is a trio formed by pianist Matt Aplin, double bassist Tom Riviere and drummer Steve Hanley. Their album, Short and Long Ditties, is the first in a two part release of material recorded at Leeds Fold last year.

The albums will both be launched with live performances at HEART on December 6th. Doors at 7.30 and there's music from 8pm. Tickets are an absolute steal at £5/3 for two great bands.

To find out about these releases and to keep up to date with future releases from the label, visit the New Jazz Records website.

Gig Preview: Adam Frost Trio in Headingley

Adam Frost Trio
March 6th
New Headingley Club, St Michael's Lane, LS6
8pm
£6

Guitarist Adam Frost is preparing to bring his trio, featuring Matthew Aplin on piano and Sam Jackson on bass to perform at the New Headingley Club in Leeds on March 6th, with hopes that a regular jazz night could develop at the venue.

Adam's trio will focus on the standards repertoire of the 50s/60s, playing arrangements of tunes made popular by the likes of Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins and Benny Golson.

Stay tuned for more news regarding future gigs at the venue...

New Jazz Night at Trinity Church, Leeds

A new monthly jazz night is starting up at Holy Trinity Church on Boar Lane in Leeds.

The launch gig for the night (called Somethin' Else) will take place on March 18th and feature the Adam Frost trio (pictured above) with Adam Frost on guitar, Matt Aplin on piano and Sam Jackson on bass.

The gig is free entry. Doors 7.30 with music from 8pm.