Draw By Four FRAMEWORK Tour, April to July 2017

Described by Chris Cheek as "dynamic and evocative adventures from soulful and skillful players - a refreshing and groovy band", saxophonist Jon Shenoy's band includes organist Will Bartlett, drummer Chris Draper and one of the North's premiere guitarists, Sam Dunn.

2017 is a busy year for Draw By Four, having secured a 24-date UK tour in the lead up to recording and releasing their first album, FRAMEWORK.

With a line-up steeped in tradition, Draw By Four take the classic 60s organ quartet into brand new territory where the compositions from leader Jon Shenoy (Ivo Neame Large Ensemble) mix contrapuntal bass lines and rhythmic hooks with thoughtful lyricism. Mixing stark ethereal voices with gritty Hammond boogaloo, organist Will Bartlett (Jim Mullen, Salena Jones) draws on a wide palette of sounds that build the foundation for an infectious mix of groove-based original compositions, enchanting ballads and unique arrangements of avant-pop songs.

The FRAMEWORK tour also includes a suite of compositions written in response to paintings by three British painters: Winifred Knights, JMW Turner & Gill Holloway. In the spirit of jazz and innovation Draw By Four will encourage the audience to enjoy an enhanced visual experience – marrying the works of the above artists with the music.

The band are performing up and down the country from now until July and there are a number of chances to catch them in the North - 

April 18th - Parr Jazz, Liverpool

April 19th - Matt & Phreds, Manchester

April 20th - Davenham Theatre, Nortwich

For full tour dates, check out Jon Shenoy's website.

NJN Jazz Advent Calendar - Perpetual Motion Machine (Dec 11th)

Behind door number 11 is an ensemble that have been hard at work in 2016. With an unusual line-up of two guitars, two tenors, bass and drums, the group have developed a unique sound with their take on pop songs and originals.

Check out this video of the band playing their tune, The Cut -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txP3QFY8cWw&t=9s

Perpetual Motion Machine is a six piece band comprising of jazz musicians from across Yorkshire and beyond. It features 2 guitarists (Sam Dunn and Jamie Taylor), which is what gives this ensemble its unique quality, as they are able to explore a more diverse range on the instrument that only having a single player would not allow. The rest of the band has a more traditional feel to the line up. Two Saxophones (Riley Stone-Lonergan and Ben Lowman) as well as some other woodwind instruments including Bass Clarinet, Electric Bass (Garry Jackson) and Drums/Percussion (Steve Hanley).

The group first got together back at the start on 2016 to experiment with the idea of having the two guitars working side by side, and it quickly became a regular rehearsing outfit, taking already established pop songs (Black Star by the late David Bowie / Here comes the flood by Peter Gabriel) and deconstructing them to form new arrangements. Two original compositions swiftly followed written by Sam, which the band recorded in August to be released as videos. Over the subsequent months more originals were bought to rehearsals from the rest of the band which now make up the majority of the music the band perform.

A national uk tour is in the final planning stages for the ensemble throughout early September 2017 to help promote the Album "IGNITION", which they are recording in January at Rebel Elements Studio in Ilkley, West Yorkshire under the watchful eyes and ears of engineer Sam Hobbs. A short teaser clip for the band was also recently released on youtube to help promote the forthcoming album. 

Gig Preview: Perpetual Motion Machine at Heart, October 22nd

This month's Jazz at Heart gig features Perpetual Motion Machine, an all-star band put together earlier this year.

From the jazz at heart website...

Performing at Heart for the first time, Perpetual Motion Machine are a 6 piece contemporary jazz ensemble, comprising of some of the North of England's finest improvising musicians.

PMM play their own original music; a dynamic mixture of jazz, rock, funk and ambient soundscapes, with an energy and dynamism that will have you on the edge of your seat.

It's a band of familiar faces in a brand new line-up - Sam Dunn and Jamie Taylor on guitars, Ben Lowman and Riley Stone-Lonergan on tenors, Garry Jackson on bass and Steve Hanley on drums. 

The gig starts at 7.30pm and tickets can be purchased on the Heart website or on the door for £10/6 concessions. If you'd like a taster, click here to watch the band's new video - The Cut.

Huddersfield Jazz Guitar Festival 22nd-24th July

Last year saw the launch of a brand new festival - the Huddersfield Jazz Guitar festival. After the success of the first festival, the team are running a second this year between 22nd and 24th July. 

From the festival website...

This year is going to be bigger and better. This year the festival is over three days and has some definite themes covering a wide range of jazz guitar styles. Friday is very much a gypsy jazz night with two of the U.Ks  leading exponents. Saturday is a celebration of the great Charlie Christian while Sunday sees a leaning towards the organ trios. In addition to all this there are free concerts throughout the day, workshops, jam sessions, raffles and competitions.

Friday night's gypsy jazz gig will features set from Remi Harris and Gary Potter, both accompanied by bassist Paul Baxter. Saturday features a number of workshops by Sam Dunn (pictured above), Jamie Taylor and Remi Harris as well as gigs throughout the day with guitarists including Darren Dutson Bromley and Adrian Ingram. The day concludes with a celebration of the legendary Charlie Christian featuring Alan Barnes. The final day is packed with gigs and workshops led by musicians like Al Morrison, Jez Platt, Jon Shaw and the Sonny Intervals duo.
  
To find out more, visit the Huddersfield Jazz Guitar Festival website.