Calling Young Jazz Musicians - 2 day jazz workshop in York, 11/12th August

York Jazz Initiative are running a two day workshop for young musicians on August 11th and 12th, offering the chance to hone your jazz skills with the help of professional musicians for only £20.

Ian Chalk says...

The workshop is for any young person in full time education (including higher education) and is designed to help young people develop their jazz performance skills whether they are experienced jazz soloists or have never played jazz before!

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All young musicians would benefit from this workshop as it will widen their harmonic knowledge, help them get to know their instrument better and build their confidence plus having lots of fun!

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The workshop tutors are all high quality professional jazz musicians as well as experienced educators and the workshop will be led by York Jazz initiative's Musical Director Ian Chalk. 

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Attendees will learn how to begin to improvise with their instruments or voices or add to their existing skills in in fun-filled and encouraging environment.

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As the workshop progresses they will have the opportunity to perform with the tutors and have the thrill of playing with professional jazz musicians!

This workshop was made possible through the generous support of the Ronnie Scott's Charitable Foundation. 

For more information and to sign up, see the York Jazz Initiative website. 

Taupe Fill Up Your Lungs and Bellow album launch tour - York, March 3rd

North East trio Taupe are on tour at the moment, promoting their brand new album Fill Up Your Lungs and Bellow. Tonight, they play at the Basement Jazz Club in York, featuring a special support set by John Marley and Alec Robinson.

Fill Up Your Lungs and Bellow is the group's 2nd full length album and they have developed a strong following. They were selected to be part of Jazz North's Northern Line scheme and have performed at venues and festivals across the UK.

From their website...

Taupe are a Newcastle upon Tyne based trio specializing in razor-sharp polyrhythmic play, exploratory improvisation and raw, high energy live performance.The group’s sound is built of influences drawing from free jazz and math metal to hip-hop grooves and post-bop, with a healthy dollop of skronk, all navigated down a path that seeks to blur the line between carefully constructed rhythmic compositions and explosive group improvisation.

Taupe are Jamie Stockbridge (sax), Mike Parr Burman (guitar) and Adam Stapleford (drums).

To find out more about the band including tour dates and how to purchase the album, visit Taupe's website.

End of an Era: Final Jazz at the Phoenix with John Marley and Kate Peters, March 6th

John Marley and Kate Peters have announced that they are wrapping up their jazz night at The Phoenix in York after a 6 year run promoting live jazz year round.

The night has seen numerous visiting groups perform as well as the best of the region's jazz musicians perform. The Phoenix, and John and Kate's contributions, have been integral in building a burgeoning jazz scene in York and the night will be sorely missed.

John says

Thanks to Jenny Everton and Jon Fulton for inviting us to do it all those years ago (6 years we think?) ...the 6th March will be our grand finale...a big, fun night of celebrations...so if you can make it to one of those gigs then it'd be great to see it out in style and with our friends!

Thanks to everyone who has supported the gig over the years!

Congratulations to John and Kate for all their hard work over the past 6 years - do make sure to head to the Phoenix on March 6th to give them a good send off!

NJN Jazz Advent Calendar - Ian Chalk (Dec 14th)

Two weeks into our advent calendar, we find trumpeter Ian Chalk. 2016 has been a busy year as he has been hard at work building up the jazz education scene in York through leading a number of large ensembles and workshops.

He has recently released a recorded an album of 16 christmas carols with brass and strings which is free to download. All he asks is if you can afford it, make a donation to MacMillan Cancer Support. Follow this link to download the album - http://inf755.wixsite.com/ianchalkmusic/christmas-carols

Ian is a jazz trumpet player performing throughout the UK and a well-known jazz educator.
As Director of York Jazz Initiative Ian directs 5 different jazz ensembles for all ages and abilities.
He performs with his band Firebird Quartet and is in demand as a guest soloist at jazz venues around the country and has performed with many great jazz artists including Dennis Rollins, Gary Smulyan, Kate Peters Septet and the Yorkshire Jazz Orchestra.
Ian lives in York and is striving to make the city a centre of excellence for jazz education.


"One of the UK's finest trumpet players..." - Whighams Jazz Club, Edinburgh

Ian's website - http://inf755.wixsite.com/ianchalkmusic

York Jazz Initiative Announces New Choir

Ian Chalk has announced that a new Jazz Choir will run in York starting early 2017, representing the latest in a string of jazz education initiatives which aim to make York a centre for excellence in jazz.

From the York Jazz Initiative website...

So if you're an adult (16+) who would like to sing some cool jazz tunes in a group of approximately 20 and be tutored by one of the UK's great jazz singers and vocal coach, Kate Peters, then this is for you.  You don't need to have an amazing voice or be able to read music, just be open to having lots of fun, making new friends and performing concerts! The Jazz Choir will also collaborate with other York Jazz Initiative ensembles.

Rehearsals will be at Vale Of York Academy (formerly Canon Lee School) in York on Thursday evenings from 7:30pm till 9:00pm during term time.  

Budding jazz choir attendees can register their interest on the York Jazz Initiative website and will be sent information shortly.

Gig Preview: Maja Bugge in York, September 3rd

Maja Bugge is the only solo artist to be feartured on this year's Jazz North Northern Line roster. Originally from Norway, Maja is now based in Lancaster and has collaborated with a number of organisations and groups including Lancaster Institute of Contemporary Art (LICA), Oslo Moderne Teater, the National Theatre Oslo, Beaivvas Theater, NING, Katma Productions and Opera Omnia. She has been recognised for her work through a number of awards including The Cultural Rucksack Norway’s best performance in 2010.

On September 3rd, Maja will be perform a lunchtime concert at St Saviourgate Chapel in York, as programmed by Late Music.

From the website...

Maja’s unique sound – as evidenced on her CD Shelter (Euredice, 2012) – explores stillness and repetition, harmony and dissonance. Her music balances melody and rhythm with external ambience, acoustics and atmosphere.

“Beautiful, meditative music” (Bergens Tidende)
“Innovative, she crosses artistic borders with great creativity.” (Erlend Loe, Author)

Tickets ci#ost £5 and can be booked through the Late Music website and more informtion on Maja's music can be found on her website.

Efficient Brass Playing workshop with Ian Chalk

Jazz trumpeter Ian Chalk will run a one day workshop for brass players in August entitled 'Dispelling Myths & Building Strong Foundations'.

The workshop will cover all the fundamentals of brass playing and aims to give participants a comprehensive understanding on their instruments how to develop good habits.

The full day costs £60 and will take place in York, date and exact location to be announced. Ian is currently trying to gauge interest and invites people interested in attending to contact him via his website which can be found at http://www.ianchalk.net/

Jazz God Academy, 4-6th April

Budding jazz musicians aged 11-80 have a chance to hone their skills at the Jazz God Academy in York. Their spring course runs between 4th and 6th April. The 3 day course costs £100 and includes three days of tuition and an end performance at the NCEM in York.

The JazzGodAcademy workshops are designed to bring together students who love Jazz music and love performing aged between 11-80 years old. Jazzgod will help develop ensemble skills, improvisation skills, confidence and general musicianship. Students will work in a band composing and covering Jazz standards by their favourite composers or artists.

On each day there will be an opportunity to perform in a big band with all the members of the workshop. Every afternoon there will be a workshop on improvisation to help further develop skills.

 

On the 6th of April you will perform at the world famous National Centre for Early Music in York.

 

For more information and to apply for a place, visit the JazzGodAcademy website.

Gig Preview: Printmakers in York (January 27th)

The Printmakers have become one of the UK's most beloved groups. The band's line-up features some of the country's most creative musicians - Mike Walker, Mark Lockheart, Norma Winstone, Steve Watts and James Maddren. In May 2015, they received their debut album, Westerly, to critical acclaim and on January 27th they are to perform at The Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall in York.

‘Wonderful playing from some of Britain’s best jazz artists, not to mention a deeply creative, almost orchestral approach to the collective sound that totally serves the music, or more accurately, serves the song.’ Jazzwise Magazine

Tickets for the event cost £16/14/5 and audiences are advised to book soon as it's sure to be a full house. For full information visit the York University website and the website of bandleader Nikki Iles.

Reqium for a Dreamer: A Celebration of John Taylor, January 29th

The National Centre for Early Music in York is to host a celebration of the life and work of pianist John Taylor on January 29th.

Julian Arguelles and Steve Watts will lead an ensemble made up of former students of John's, all of whom are now professional jazz musicians.

John Taylor was an inspirational pianist, composer and musician who worked alongside some of the greatest jazz stars on the concert platform and in the recording studio in addition to his solo career.  Following his sudden death on 17 July last year we celebrate his extraordinary talent and the influence that he had on two generations of musicians.  John joined the Department of Music as a lecturer in 2005 and continued to give masterclasses and recitals both there and at the NCEM.

The concert takes place at 7.30pm and tickets cost £16/14 and £5 for students. For more information, see the event page on York University's website.

Line-Up:

Julian Argüelles saxophones
Steve Watts bass
Tom Gibbs piano
Raph Clarkson trombone
Twm Dylan bass
Dave Smyth drums

Big Band Jazz in York, December 9th

December is always a good time for live jazz in the North, as groups perform special performances marking the end of the year in the build up to the 25th. This year it's no different and trumpeter Ian Chalk continues to be incredibly busy, bringing three ensembles to the Post Office Club in York for a Big Band extravaganza on December 9th.

The performance showcases three ensembles that Ian MDs as part of the York Jazz Initiative - the Youth Jazz Orchestra, Youth Jazz Ensemble and the York Big Band Initiative. Expect a varied programme of music from classic big band canon (Night Train, A Child Is Born...), more contemporary charts (Bird Land, Deacon Blues) and the odd festive number thrown in for good measure.

Tickets cost £5, under 18s go free. Doors open at 7pm at Post Office Club, Marygate, York.

Alex Munk's Flying Machines come to York & Sheffield

Guitarist Alex Munk will bring his new quartet to perform in York and Sheffield next week.

Munk graduated from LCoM in 2009 before moving to London to study a Masters at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Since then he has worked extensively as a sideman for a long list of internationally renowned musicians which includes Stan Sulzmann, Trish Clowes, Ivo Neame and Gwilym Simcock.

Flying Machines was formed in 2014 a vehicle for Munk's compositions. The band includes bassist Conor Chaplin, pianist Matt Robinson and drummer Dave Hamblett. The group have recently recorded their debut album (Alex's first as a leader) and it is set for release in 2016.

Audiences in the North will have the chance to hear the band at The Phoenix in York on October 20th and at the Lescar in Sheffield on October 21st.

For more information on Alex and to listen to Flying Machines, visit his website.

More Ways to Learn Jazz in York

Those who live in or frequent jazz gigs in York will probably be familiar with the website Jazz In York, run by bassist John Marley. The site details all the jazz events in York as well as featuring articles and interviews and information on the various groups and venues for jazz in the area. John has now added another feature to the site offering free materials for those interested in learning jazz.

At the moment, visitors can access materials based on general jazz improvisation (there are some harmonic an rhythmic exercises available) and specific bass exercises like study pieces and a look at constructing walking bass lines.

John is set to add more materials weekly and will invite other instrumentalists to offer their materials, too.

For more information and to look at this new feature, visit the Jazz In York website.

York announces plans to become centre of excellence in jazz

Recently, we reported on a new big band starting in York, led by Ian Chalk as part of the York Jazz Initiative. Well, this week more information was released about the plans they have to make York a centre for excellence in Jazz.

Launching in September, the initiative will include streaming lessons and classes offered to those at any level who wish to know more about jazz. The programme will be based at Canon Lee School in York but will offer lessons in the form of skype, e-books and face-to-face.

In an article published in the York Press, Ian Chalk said

We're determined to make York a centre of excellence in the north of England for jazz education for young people and adults. Large ensembles, small groups, individual tuition, distance learning, workshops, attention to detail and passion for an important art form. 

Read the York Press article here and visit the York Jazz Initiative website for more information.

New Youth Jazz Orchestra in York seeks players

Jazz educator Ian Chalk has announced that a new Youth Jazz Orchestra will be starting in York in September.

The ensemble will be run as part of the York Jazz Initiative and their aim is that 'this youth ensemble will be one of the finest in the UK and something that York can be really proud of.'

Rehearsals will run on Saturday afternoons during term time and the ensemble is open to anyone under 21 (through audition or invitation). Some of the chairs have already been filled, but Ian is on the look-out for the following -

Piano
2 trombones
1 tenor sax
1 (possibly 2) trumpets
guitar

Anyone interested in taking part should get in touch via the email address listed on the flyer above.

Richard Havers talks Blue Note in York

The York Festival of Ideas runs this year from 9th-21st June with a theme of Secrets & Discoveries. This varied festival hosts performance, discussions and exhibitions which broadly interpret the main theme. One such event may interest jazz listeners as Richard Havers discusses 75 years of Blue Note on June 16th.

Jazz historian and author Richard Havers is well known in the field of jazz writing and most recently, he has published his book Uncompromising Expression, an encyclopedic look at the Blue Note record label over the past 75 years. Havers will use the book as the basis for his talk which will also feature musical examples.

The event takes place on Tuesday 16th June from 6.30pm until 7.30pm and is free to attend, although sign-up is required. You can reserve your place on the Festival of Ideas website.

Gig preview: Big Band Bonanza in York, June 6th

Three big bands in York are combining forces to host a night of live music at St Clements Hall in York on June 6th.

MD for all three groups, trumpeter Ian Chalk, will lead York Big Band Initiative, York Music Forum Jazz Ensemble and York Music Forum Big Band through their paces showcasing the wealth of young musicians and adult learners on the York music scene.

Tickets cost £5 and are available on the door or through the York Music Service website. Doors open at 6.45pm and the first band is on at 7pm.

Gig Preview: Chapter House Choir team up with France, Turville & L'Estrange

On Sunday 16th May, the Chapter House Choir will perform at York Minster joined by a jazz trio featuring Martin France, John Turville and Alexander L'Estrange.

Their centerpiece will be Mass In Blue, a popular jazz mass written by British composer Will Todd. In addition to the jazz trio and choir, the concert will feature soprano Joanna Forbes L'Estrange as their soloist.

We are delighted to be performing another fabulous concert with the Chapter House Choir in the splendid setting of York Minster,” said Alexander L’Estrange. “Mass in Blue is a really exciting and uplifting musical work and one of our personal favourites.  The combination of the jazz trio, choir and soloist is really special so audiences are in for a musical treat. 

The concert will take place at 7.30pm and tickets are priced at £15 for adults, £13.50 for concessions and £5 for under 19s. These can be purchased on the York Minster website and on the door.

Gig Preview: Elliot Galvin Trio in York

Wednesday 28th January
University of York
7.30pm
£14/12 or £3 for students

Award winning pianist Elliot Galvin brings his trio to York next week featuring drummer Simon Roth and Yorkshire-born Tom McCredie on bass.

The group released their debut album, Dreamland, on Chaos Label last year and have performed extensively across the UK. They were the deserving recipients of the European Young Jazz Artists Award in 2014 and were invited to open the Burghausen Jazz Festival to a crowd of over 1,000 people.

Audaciously accomplished... This set hops all over the musical landscape, but the awesome Galvin's intelligent musicality always reminds him, and us, of the plot. - John Fordham, The Guardian

New Jazz Workshops start in York

Trumpeter and educator Ian Chalk is starting a new series of workshops in York commencing November 20th.

The workshops are aimed at adults (16+) with little or no previous knowledge of jazz and play melody instruments (not drummers or percussionists). Over the 10 week course, the workshops will cover areas including jazz harmony, history and solo construction amongst other things.

Alongside the course, Ian has prepared materials and recordings to allow students to practice and work on exercises at home.

Each session cost £10 and are payable in blocks of 6. Only 10 spaces are available so people may be swapped to a different class if necessary.

For more information, visit the York Music Service website.