LCoM Alumnus Pete Lee's Velvet Rage album and Kickstarter

Pianist Pete Lee is raising funds for the release of a new album, The Velvet Rage, an ambitious new work that features many familiar faces to the northern jazz scene - like fellow LCoM alumni Alex Munk, Ali Thynne, Huw Foster and Matt Roberts.

After graduating from LCoM, Lee moved to London to study a masters at the Royal Academy. Since then, his reputation as both a band leader and as a sideman has grown and grown, leading his own groups like Narcissus and touring with vocalist Alice Zawadski to name but two.

Aiming to raise £5,000, Pete's kickstarter is going strong; currently standing at £4,255 but with only 6 days to go, he stills needs that vital push to ensure he reaches his target.

As ever with Kickstarter, donors are offered a range of incentives - from signed cds to private piano lessons and even the opportunity to name one of the as-yet-unnamed tunes to be featured on the album.

Below is some background information on the project but for full information and to donate, visit the Velvet Rage Kickstarter page.

This album showcases compositions I've written over the last 10 years, drawing not only from my educational and professional experience, but also from the highs and lows of my own personal experience. Isn't that what we all write about? Family, friends, love and romance; those basic things that can hurt the most, but can also feel the most fulfilling. I'm keen to take full advantage of my opportunity to say something meaningful.

We recorded for 5 days in Fieldgate studio recording some of our classic tunes as well as some brand new material. 

You'll hear Pete Lee (piano/compositions), Josh Arcoleo (sax), Alex Munk (guitar), Huw Foster (bass), Ali Thynne (drums), and the Amika Strings: Laura Senior (violin), Rich Jones (violin) Lucy Nolan (viola) and Peggy Nolan (cello).

The session was recorded by Andy Lawson, Alex Killpartrick & Matt Williams at Fieldgate Studios in South Wales. Matt Roberts produced the album.

We’re immensely excited to invite you to help us continue our journey. We need to raise £5,000 within 4 weeks. If we fail to reach our target, you won't be charged a penny and we'll receive nothing. It's an incredibly nerve racking time for us, so we'd be eternally grateful for your help.

Your donations will help us:

• Mix/ Master/ Manufacture the album
• Record a final track at the studio
• Record Promotional Videos
• Pay for a PR Campaign to spread the word.
• Pay our skilled band-members.

Northern Jazz heads South for EFG London Jazz Festival

It's les than two weeks until this year's EFG London Jazz Festival kicks off. Ten days of jazz starting on November 11th - over 2,000 artists, 300 gigs and 50 venues. There are a number of Northern artists heading down to fly the flag for Jazz in the North so here's a preview of who's playing and where.

Jazz for Toddlers (Dave Kane & Oli Dover)

As part of the festival's expansive learning and participation programme, double bassist Dave Kane and saxophonist Oli Dover will run a series of workshops throughout the festival aimed at children between 2 and 5. Some of the workshops have already sold out so it's looking like it'll be a huge succes.

Mike Walker and Iain Dixon with The Guildhall Band & Choir (November 11th, Clore Ballroom) 

Two fifths of the supergroup The Impossible Gentlemen, Mike Walker and Iain Dixon join The Guildhall Jazz Band and choir led by pianist Malcolm Edmonstone. Expect a varied programme and a joyful evening of music!

Zoe Gilby Family Jazz All-Stars (November 12th, Cadogan Hall)

Another family-friendly event, one of the North's most beloved vocalists Zoe Gilby will perform a programme that guides families through the jazz greats and Zoe's unique takes on popular songs.

Phil Meadows Project (November 14th, Ray's Jazz at Foyles)

LCoM Alumnus and award winning saxophonist and band leader, Phil unveils his brand new ensemble during the festrival. (He will also perform with his trio SKINT, supporting Donny McCaslin)

Matt Roberts BigISH band (November 14th, Spice of Life)

Another LCoM graduate, Northern boy Matt Roberts has become well established as a big band leader since moving to London.  This large ensemble will pay tribute to one of Matt's heroes, the great Duke Ellington.

Matthew Halsall & Gondwana Orchestra (November 15th, Islington Assembly Hall)

Manchester based trumpeter and composer Matthew Halsall has sold out multiple shows at London Jazz Festivals gone by so this one is sure to be busy. He premieres new work with a line-up including harp, saxophone, piano, bass and drums.

Chris Sharkey's Make It/Break It (November 19th, Southbank Centre)

Chris Sharkey has been comissioned by Serious to premiere this new piece. Over 100 musicians will gather in the day to put together the new piece which centres around improvisation and collective music making.

For more information on full programme and to book tickets, visit the EFG London Jazz Festival website.

Submissions Now Welcomed for Dankworth Composition Prize

Submissions are now being accepted for the 2016 Dankworth Prize for Jazz Composition.

There are categories that composers may submit works to - the Big Band category and the small ensemble category (between 7 and 9 players). A winner will be selected from each category and will each receive £1,000.

This prize fund was set up in memory of John Dankworth and has run since 2008. Three Northern composers have received the prize including James Hamilton (pictured above) in its inaugural year, James Beckwith (LCoM alumni) and Matt Roberts (Darlington-born LCoM alumni).

Submissions will be accepted until 3rd December 2015 and interested parties should visit the Worshipful Company of Musicians website to download the information sheet and application form. Applicants must be aged 28 or under.

Previous Winners of the Dankworth Prize for Jazz Composition

2008 James Hamilton (Leeds) Big Band; Nicky Jacques (Birmingham) Small Ensemble
2009 James Beckwith (Leeds) Big Band; Matt Roberts (Leeds) Small Ensemble
2010 Matt Roberts (Trinity) Big Band; Yuriy Galkin (RAM) Small Ensemble
2011 Laura Jurd (Trinity) Big Band; Alex Roth (RAM) Small Ensemble
2012 James Opstadt (RAM) Big Band. No competition for Small Ensemble Composition
2013 Daniel Thorne (WAusAPA) Big Band; Tom Green (Cambridge & RAM) Small Ensemble
2014 Misha Mullov-Abbado (RAM) Big Band; Andrew Woodhead (Birmingham) Small Ensemble
2015 Chris McMurran (Cambridge) Big Band; Ralph Wyld (RAM) Small Ensemb

Sing Jazz in Leeds, Play Jazz in the Dales...

In May, there are two special opportunities to learn about jazz under the expert tuition of Matt Roberts and Louise Gibbs.

Jazz at Heart's weekend jazz school takes place in Dalesbridge and runs from May 8th - 10th. Lesley says -

 If you are an adult learner of jazz who you think would benefit from a crazy weekend of jazz tuition from the amazing trio of Matt Roberts, Sam Watts and Sam Gardner, please put them in touch with me. May 8th - 10th in the wonderful Yorkshire Dales. We currently don't have a drummer (who could learn so much from Sam Gardner)or any alto players, though all instrumentalists are welcome... Only £250 and a chance not to be missed. There’s also the possibility to attend just for the Saturday (breakfast till evening gig) for £100 if that’s more suited to people’s budgets and lives.Contact lesley@jazz-at-heart.org.uk

Vocalist Louise Gibbs is also running a workshop - this one is a day-long session in Leeds on May 16th. The session is aimed at singers. Louise says -

There are just 2 places left on the jazz singing and improvisation workshop with me on Saturday 16th May 11am until 5pm in Leeds. Suitable for singers who want to know how to improvise or be more confident singing and improvising whatever the style. You'll also learn to direct a live trio. £75 or £60 for full time students. Lunch and refreshments included. Call 07813684077 to discuss.

Louise will also perform at Heart that evening with her quartet featuring Sam Leak, Sam Gardner and Simon Read. 

Gig Preview: Matt Roberts plays Fats Navarro at Heart, 25th April

Jazz at Heart presents: Matt Roberts plays Fats Navarro
Saturday 25th April 
HEART Arts Centre, Bennett Road, Leeds
7.30pm
£8/6

When not busy touring with bands like Gentleman's Dub Club, Everything Everything and Paloma Faith or leading his own big band, trumpeter Matt Roberts has found some time to work on the music of Fats Navarro for his upcoming gig at HEART on April 26th.

Navarro was known for his work with big band leaders including Benny Goodman, Billy Eckstine and Lionel Hampton and recorded with luminaries like Charlie Parker, Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis, Bud Powell and Illinois Jacquet. This impressive CV is made even more so by the fact that Navarro died tragically young, aged only 26.

Matt will be joined by Matt Anderson (tenor), Ben Lowman (alto), Sam Watts (piano), Sam Gardner (drums) and Simon Read (double bass).

Darlington Jazz Festival

The 4th annual Darlington Jazz Festival takes place over the last weekend in April (24th-26th) at venues across Darlington. The festival features a mixture of youth groups, local bands and musicians returning to Darlington after spending their formative years there.

Friday 24th April

 8pm - Matt Roberts Sextet Plays Fats Navarro (Voodoo Cafe)

Saturday 25th April

Street Bands perform in Joseph Pease Row and High Row.

1pm until 5pm - A showcase of small combos featuring Dean Stockdale & Will Howard (Quakerhouse, Mechanic's Yard)

7.15pm - 10pm - Big Band Evening with Al Wood and Durham Alumni Big Band with support from Durham County Youth Big Band (Central Hall, Dolphin Centre)

10.30pm until late - Festival Jam Session (Quakerhouse, Mechanic's Yard)

Sunday 26th April

5.30pm - Simon Read Octet (St Augustine's Parish Centre)

Jazz at Heart Summer School - Rhythm Section Players Required

The annual Jazz at Heart Summer School will take place between 12th-15th August at Heart Arts Centre in Headingley.

Led by composer and trumpeter Matt Roberts (pictured above), the course is now in its fourth year and participants will spend time working on repertoire, improvisation strategies and more.

According to Jazz at Heart's Lesley Jeffries, the course is almost full but they are in need of some rhythm section players to even out the instrumentation! If you play piano, bass or drums and would like more information, get in touch with Lesley at lesley@jazz-at-heart.org.uk.

The course fee is £200.

For information on other events going on through Jazz at Heart, see the HEART website.