Seamus Blake UK tour, February 2017

The Orpheus Project has announced that their third featured artist in the scheme will be world renowned tenor saxophonist Seamus Blake.

With over 70 albums as a sideman and 16 as leader, Blake has built a global reputation as being one of the leading exponents of contemporary jazz.

He will be joined on this tour by drummer James Maddren and pianist Ross Stanley and will perform at venues across the North and in London between 3rd and 10th of February. The band have dates at Southport Jazz Festival, Newcastle, Leeds, Grimsby, Wakefield, Ribble Valley and London. Seamus will also host a masterclass at Leeds College of Music.

 We are all very excited to welcome Seamus as our third Orpheus Project artist. Whenever his name is mentioned, there’s a buzz of excitement amongst musicians and listeners – being able to bring him to small venues and share this music with audiences and promoters is a great feeling. The atmosphere at these gigs is going to be electric.- Kim Macari, Apollo Jazz Network Director

 Seamus Blake’s tour is third in a series of tours supported by Arts Council England and in partnership with NORVOL Jazz.

 “extraordinary, a total saxophonist” – John Scofield

For full information and to book tickets, visit the Orpheus Project website.

Gig Preview: Antonio Sanchez & Migration at Band on the Wall

This is a date for the diary of every jazz fan in the North and it is sure to be sold out, so get your tickets soon for Antonio Sanchez & Migration at Band on the Wall on July 26th.

Moving to New York in 1999, Sanchez has developed a reputation as one of the leading lights in jazz across the world. His work with Pat Metheny is well known, having worked with the guitarist in almost every project he has put together for the past 15 years. Sanchez has been featured on 8 Metheny albums, three of which have won Grammys.

His collaboration with Metheny are just one piece of the puzzle though, and you'll see and hear Sanchez work with a myriad of world class musicians - Joshua Redman, Chris Potter, Avishai Cohen, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Donny McCaslin...

In 2013, Sanchez was asked to create the film score for Birdman, and his work was recognised with numerous award nominations.

The band he brings with him this time is Migration, a quartet of extraordinary musicians including Seamus Blake, Matt Brewer and John Escreet.

Tickets cost between £17 and £22 and can be purchased through the Band on the Wall website.

Don't miss it!