Johnny Hunter Quartet Tour, March 25th-31st

“The band admirably reflects the independent creativity of the new Manchester scene.” – John Fordham, The Guardian

Drummer Johnny Hunter's quartet made the most of 2016; as well as their normal schedule of gigs ,they also found the time to release their debut album, While We Still Can, on EFPI Records and they were selected to be part of Jazz North's Northern Line scheme.

Starting on Saturday, the group will play a string of dates including Huddersfield, Scarborough, Liverpool and Manchester so there's ample opportunity to catch these exciting musicians live.

From the FB event page...

Johnny Hunter (Blind Monk Trio, Dub Jazz Soundsystem, Nat Birchall Quintet, Marley Chingus) is a drummer, composer and band-leader who performs across the country in many different ensembles. In 2011, he brought together some of the top players from a thriving Manchester scene that is fast becoming UK Jazz’s new centre of gravity; Ben Watte on tenor saxophone, Graham South on trumpet, and Stewart Wilson on double bass. 2016 saw the release of his critically-acclaimed debut album ‘While We Still Can’ on the EFPI label, which also houses all-conquering big band, Beats & Pieces.

Hunter’s music explores the possibilities and challenges afforded by the absence of a harmony instrument, and takes influence from his long-standing interest in the piano-less groups of Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson, through to the more modern ensembles of Dave Douglas, John Zorn and Chris Speed.

Ben Watte – Tenor sax
Graham South – Trumpet
Stewart Wilson – Double Bass
Johnny Hunter – Drums

“Connects authentically with jazz tradition, whilst developing its own voice through original composition – a fabulous advertisement for British jazz.” – Adrian Pallant, London Jazz News

25.03 The Jazz Room HUDDERSFIELD, 8pm
28.03 Kazimier Gardens LIVERPOOL, 7.30pm
29.03 The Cask Inn SCARBOROUGH, 8.45pm
30.03 Matt & Phred's MANCHESTER, 9pm

AJ Brown Summer Tour Dates

Halifax born and LcoM Jazz graduate singer AJ Brown has been described as a cool, clean vocal hero by Cork Jazz Festival and is a favourite of audiences across the country. Recently, he recorded a special live EP at Dean Clough in Halifax and now he has announced a string of gigs over the summer which see him supporting some pretty big names.

On June 30^th and July 1^st in Scarborough and Preston respectively, AJ will support Will Young. Then on July 5^th, he will head to London to support 2Cellos. Towards the end of July, he will perform as support for Sir Tom Jones in Knutsford and Simply Red in Scarborough and Betley.

To keep up with gigs and news from AJ, visit his website. (www.aj-brown.co.uk)

Scarborough Jazz celebrate 30 years

Mike and Marion Gordon celebrate 30 year's of organising, promoting and supporting live jazz in Scarborough. Not many jazz clubs can claim to have promoted jazz fifty nights a year for thirty years. Dennis Hitch, Bob Walker and Mike Gordon, the original trio, were just looking for somewhere to play and that’s how Scarborough Jazz started.

Coastival Jazz Day, Scarborough (Feb 15th)

                                                                      Clare Teal

Scarborough's annual 3 day arts festival takes place between February 14th and 16th this year and Saturday 15th is Jazz Day.

The afternoon will be kicked off by Kate Peters and her septet at the Grand Hall at 1pm with support from the Heavy Horns. In the evening, singer Clare Teal will appear with the Community Big Band at 8pm (which we interviewed Clare about when the project launched in October 2012).

Also going on at the Scarborough Art Gallery is Stoop Quintet (7.30pm), a group which features James Mainwaring, Jon Briggs, Dave Smyth, Mick Bardon and Chris Montague.

Launching the festival on February 14th will be the Brand New Heavies, who are supported by Leeds band Nubiyan Twist.

For full information on the entire line-up, plus details on prices and locations, see the Coastival 2014 website.