NJN Jazz Advent Calendar - Sam Quintana's Wandering Monster (Dec 2nd)

Behind door number 2 is the Leeds-based contemporary jazz behemoth, Sam Quintana's Wandering Monster.

Listen to the band in action in this video, filmed by Maria Alzamora and mixed by James Hamilton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYWxrqwnstI

Since its inception in the autumn of 2014, Wandering Monster has honed a sound which demonstrates a combination of intricately arranged off-kilter grooves, in your face hooks and lengthy collective improvisation sections. Influences taken from the rhythmic complexity of modern jazz are juxtaposed with the intensity of classic Blue note recordings. Despite hailing from the musical melting pot of Leeds the monster is being unleashed across the North at a number of jazz festivals after winning the 2016/17 Jazz north Introduces Award.

Sam Quintana - Double Bass/Compositions
Ben Powling - Tenor Saxophone
Calvin Travers - Guitar
Aleks Podraza - Piano
Tom Higham - Drums

www.newjazzrecords.co.uk/sam-quintanas-wandering-monster-ep/

www.facebook.com/wanderingmonsteruk/

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.

Jamil Sheriff UK Tour and Album Launch

Pianist and highly regarded educator Jamil Sheriff released his first trio album, Places Like This on October 30th on James Hamilton's label New Jazz Records.

Jamil's back catalogue as asideman and band leader is impressive but this is first time he has fronted a trio for an album.

From the New Jazz Records website...

Jamil is known throughout the UK Jazz scene for his lyrical and rhythmic approach to original music, and this latest project is no exception. Carefully developed through-composed elements are interwoven with freer improvisations and swinging solos, showing Sheriff to be an artist with a unique identity. His approach brings together a mixture of influences as he endeavors to find common and genuine ground between a wide ranges of styles. He is a passionate ambassador of creative arts grown in the North of England, and invests much time, as an educator (Head of Jazz at Leeds College of Music) and performer, supporting the development of regional scene. Recent collaborations include work with both emerging artists and acclaimed performers such as Ingrid Jensen, Henry Lowther, Dave Lyttle, Tom Harrison, Colman Brothers, Gareth Lockrane, Richard Iles, Neil Yates, Matt Anderson and Josh Kemp. Composition remains at the heart of Jamil’s artistic output, and the trio (formed in 2013) provides him with the space to explore freer elements. The ensemble was initially part of Jazz North’s Northern Line and in 2014 toured China for two weeks before recording ‘Places Like This’.

To celebrate the launch of the album, the trio will perform a number of tour dates between November and January. Full list of dates below but if you'd like to hear the album or buy a copy, visit the News Jazz Records site. 

Jamil Sheriff Trio Tour Dates (with Dave Walsh and Pete Turner)

November 8th - Parr Jazz, Liverpool
November 11th - Birmingham Jazz
November 20th  - Inkwell, Leeds
November 30th - Lescar, Sheffield
December 2nd - Glyde House, Bradford
December 3rd - HEART, Leeds
January 4th - Matt & Phred's, Manchester

New Jazz Records releases Wandering Monster EP

New Jazz Records, the label run by the North's busiest musician James Hamilton, has announced its latest release - an EP by bassist Sam Quintana's Wandering Monster.

Wandering Monster is the outlet for the compositions of Leeds based double bassist Sam Quintana. Since it’s inception in the autumn of 2014 the quintet has honed and refined a sound which takes influence from the metric, off­kilter grooves of artists such as Dave Holland and Kurt Rosenwinkel, as well as the intensity of older blue note, hard­bop recordings. The band features, Andy French on tenor saxophone, Calvin Travers on guitar, Aleks Podraza on piano/keyboards and Tom Higham on drums. Also associated with projects such as Zeitgeist and Stretch Trio, these musicians are amongst the most active on the Leeds music scene.

Their debut two track EP was recorded 26 October 2015 at Leeds Fold alongside a video by Maria Alzamora. Recorded mixed and mastered by James Hamilton for New Jazz Records.

The EP will be released next week but a video, shot by Maria Alzamora, is available to watch on the New Jazz Records website.
 

NJ Advent Calendar - Record Labels (December 4th)

Open the door to day number 4 and you'll find jazz record labels. There have been quite a few labels popping up over the last few years dedicated to jazz and improvised music in the North. Many are started up by musicians themselves. In the ever-changing record industry, it's heartening to see that we have so many of these labels in our region!

Leaf Label

This label have recently been celebrating their 20th birthday and are a hugely respected label based in Yorkshire. Their output isn't exclusively jazz but rather an eclectic mix of electronic, instrumental and improvised music. They have artists like Melt Yourself Down, Polar Bear and Matthew Bourne on their roster. 

New Jazz Records

Based in Leeds, this label is run by composer/trumpeter James Hamilton. Their focus is on emerging acts on the jazz scene, often recent graduates of music colleges. There is an ever-expanding live album which features one or two tracks from a variety of groups gigging in the North, as well as full releases from Drawing Hands, James Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and Matt Anderson/Jiannis Pavlidis duo. Now the label is moving into studio recordings too, with the opening of Leeds Fold in mid-2015.

Wasp Millionaire Records

Set up by guitarist Craig Scott, Wasp Millionaire release music from groups like Shatner's Bassoon and Craig Scott's Lobotomy. There's also a free sampler on their website to hear a selection from the acts they represent.

Hungry Bear Records

A label set up double bassist Paul Baxter that currently represents EYESHUTIGHT, Paul Baxter Quartet and Seven Pieces of Silver. There are three studio albums by EYESHUTIGHT and an album and tour has been announced for Seven Pieces of Silver, to take place in February 2016.

Lamplight Social Records

This one is run by saxophonist James Mainwaring and has three groups on its roster - Roller Trio, Tipping Point and Promise/Threat. Tipping Point's release earlier this year received widespread praise including a four star review from the Guardian who called it ...playful, dark, skilful and spontaneous.

James Hamilton launches New Jazz Records

Trumpeter and composer James Hamilton has launched a record label, New Jazz Records, to showcase up and coming artists in the North.

James says...

Over the 11 years I’ve lived in Leeds I’ve seen some incredible live jazz music. The city's jazz scene is alive and vibrant with a consistent turn over of new projects and original music. New Jazz Records will document some of this amazing creative output from the Leeds jazz scene and beyond, giving up and coming artists the opportunity to record, release and help promote their music.

The Label's debut release will be Drawing Hands by bassist Sam Jackson. This is available in digital formats from the New Jazz Records website for pay-what-you-want. You can also sign up to the mailing list on the site to be kept abreast of the future releases and news from the label. 

Twitter - @newjazzrecords and @drawhandsmusic