Halifax Piece Hall celebrates re-opening with Saxophone Massive

Halifax Piece Hall is currently one of the most significant and high profile heritage project in the UK. A £17 million conservation and transformation programme is underway and August will see a series of events welcoming the public back to enjoy this newly refurbished Grade I listed building.

On August 18th, renowned saxophonist and ECM artist Andy Sheppard brings his Saxophone Massive to join the festivities.


Led by world-renowned jazz saxophonist Andy Sheppard, the big band will perform an original composition amongst the colonnaded galleries of our Georgian building, filling the whole space with music and celebration. An ECM recording artist, bandleader and composer, Andy Sheppard is one of Europe’s leading saxophonists and one of a very few British musicians to have made a significant impact on the international jazz scene. An international phenomenon, Saxophone Massive has been performed in cities across Europe including in the UK, France and Norway and is now commissioned for Halifax. 

"It is an immense honour to be bringing my Saxophone Massive to Halifax and to be the first major event to take place in the new Piece Hall. Music unites" communities and by reaching out to and including local musicians to be part of the massive, amateur and professional alike, we will present an event that showcases the best regional talent to an audience celebrating The Piece Hall, one of the most stunning buildings in Yorkshire.” Andy Sheppard 

A massive musical feat that’s both uplifting and astonishing.

Tickets are free and will available from August 1st. For more information, visit the Halifax Piece Hall website.

Oops, Sorry MJF...

So last week, we reported on Joshua Redman's sole UK date with his new Still Dreaming project with Ron Miles, Brian Blade and Scott Colley. In a coup for the North, the gig will take place in Manchester at the RNCM.

In our excitement and our haste to spread the word, we forgot to mention that this gig is of course part of Manchester Jazz Festival.

Sorry, MJF!

Check out this gig and the PLETHORA of others running as part of the festival between 28th July and 6th August on the Manchester Jazz Festival. There really is something for everyone and the team, led by Steve Mead, do an exceptional job each year.

www.manchesterjazzfestival.com

Roy Ayers comes to Leeds, 25th August

A picture says a thousand words. Or in this case, a picture provides all the necessary information about a brilliant upcoming gig in Leeds next month.

Vibraphonist/vocalist Roy Ayers is among the best-known, most loved and respected jazz/R&B artist on the music-scene today. 

Now in his fourth decade in the music business, Ayers, known as the Godfather of Neo-soul, continues to bridge the gap between generations of music lovers. In the 60’s he was an award-winning jazz vibraphonist, and transformed into a popular R&B band leader in the 70's/80's. Today, the dynamic music man is an iconic figure still in great demand and whose music industry heavyweights, including Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, 50 Cent, A Tribe Called Quest, Tupac and Ice Cube. 

Ayers recently recorded with hip hop artist Talib Kweli (produced by Kanye West) and jazz/R&B singer Wil Downing. 

Many of Ayers' songs including: “Everybody Loves the Sunshine”,”Searchin”, Running Away” have been frequently sampled and remixed by DJ’s worldwide.

Described by Erykah Badu as 'the KING of neo-soul music', Ayers' gig in Leeds is sure to be packed. Tickets cost £25 and can be bought from the Luna Tickets website as well as the outlets listed on the poster above. 

To find out more about Roy Ayers, visit his website.

Joshua Redman 'Still Dreaming' in Manchester, 4th August - SOLE UK DATE

Joshua Redman is scheduled to play the RNCM in Manchester on 4th August, his sole UK date.

World-renowned saxophonist Joshua Redman’s new group, the Still Dreaming quartet, features three of the most imaginative voices in contemporary jazz. Together they’ll interpret Old and New Dreams a renowned 1970/80s band of Ornette Coleman alumni that included Joshua’s father, Dewey Redman, along with Don Cherry, Charlie Haden and Ed Blackwell.

Their repertoire of Coleman compositions and original works was honest, uninhibited and engagingly unpredictable. With his all-star group, Joshua fulfils his birthright, explores his heritage and adds a new perspective to this historic material. The close personal connection will make this UK debut an especially memorable performance.

He will be joined by three incredible jazz heavyweights - Scott Colley, Ron Miles and Brian Blade.

Tickets cost £25 and there are no concessions available. This is sure to sell out so book quickly!

Visit the RNCM website to book tickets. 

York Big Band Initiative ft Marlena Kelli in Wakefield, 9th July

Wakefield Jazz are hosting a special, family-friendly gig this Sunday July 9th featuring the York Big Band Initiative and vocalist Marlena Kelli.

In addition to their regular Friday evening programming, this gig will take place on Sunday afternoon from 1pm, giving families and young people the chance to experience the joyous force of a full big band live and up close.

Musical director Ian Chalk says This will be a fantastic opportunity for them, and just shows how much they've grown, musically, in the last five years.

Tickets cost £10 full price and £5 concessions and can be booked online via the wegottickets website. 

For more information on the band, see the York Big Band Initiative website.

Jonathan Kreisberg Quartet in Leeds, May 22nd

World class guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg is bringing his quartet to perform at Wharf Chambers in Leeds on Monday 22nd May, as well as an afternoon workshop.

Thanks to David Beebee and the team at the Guitar Hour, jazz audiences in the North will get to see this internationally renowned quartet perform in a small, intimate venue.

Combining timeless melodicism with forward–thinking lines and textures, the music of Jonathan Kreisberg continues to attract a growing international fan base. His compositions have been performed by his groundbreaking quartet on five continents. As a guitarist, his sound and technique has influenced the next generation of players and has arguably contributed to the evolution of the instrument in jazz. For their show at Wharf Chambers, JKQ will perform music from WAVE UPON WAVE as well as brand new compositions that combine jazz tradition, instrumental virtuosity, modern soundscapes and influences from every corner of the world and beyond.

A workshop will run at Wharf Chambers at 3.30pm and tickets for this cost £20 (£15 for students). The gig starts at 9pm and tickets cost £15. Tickets for both parts of the day can be purchased online at the Guitar Hour's Ticket Tailor page.

Feature Interview: Tim Garland

Tim Garland has been described as a world-class jazz improviser, one of the most versatile musicians in the UK, and even a living legend. The ‘honorary northerner’ speaks to Ann Chadwick on the run up to his appearance at Harrogate International Festivals.

Harrogate International Festivals present the Tim Garland Electric Quartet on Sunday 2^nd July, 7.30pm at the Crown Hotel, Harrogate. Visit harrogateinternationalfestivals.com to book, Box Office: 01423 562 303.

“Some people think that I moved to America, but I never did – I just got off at Newcastle,” Tim laughs, speaking from his home in Whitley Bay, with a view of the sea. 

People thought he’d gone stateside after the American jazz icon Chick Corea invited Tim to join his band in the late 1990s, after Tim’s earlier collaborations with artists such as Ronnie Scott and John Dankworth. “I had no idea, when I first started out, I’d end up joining Chick’s band, it really was a dream come true.”

Despite having a home in London for easier access to Heathrow airport, Tim bought a home in the North East 13 years ago to bring his children up outside the big smoke. He wrote compositions for the Royal Northern Sinfonia when the Sage, Gateshead, just opened and the Arts Council was keen to encourage more creativity in the regions.

The juxtaposition of the north of England’s coastline and American jazz scene, mirrors Tim’s own yin and yang approach. Famed for his improvisation, he’s also loves composition, studying classical music and jazz at the Guildhall School of Music.

“I was already playing the piano and I loved composing and making things up but I didn’t have the patience to write it all down,” he laughs. “I was immediately taken by the rhythmic propulsion and the excitement and the spontaneity of jazz, you know, every time you played something it could be different and you didn’t need to write everything down. Perfect for me! I threw myself headlong into it. So there were these two aspects to me that continue right to this day. The love of something structured and written down, like writing a novel I suppose, against this absolutely unpredictable, very sociable, fun way of making music. The two are like my two arms, I don’t favour one against the other.”

Gig Preview: Vein at Huddersfield Jazz, April 29th

Swiss trio VEIN are to perform in Huddersfield on Saturday 29th. Michael Arbenz, Thomas Lahns and Florian Arbenz are recognised throughout the world for their tight interplay and their album Jazz Talks, featuring Dave Liebman, was released to critical acclaim including a 4 star review in the Guardian.

From the Huddersfield Jazz website...

There certainly is no special need any more to mention the fact that today most jazz piano trios are deeply attached to musical interplay (even though this fact isn’t to be taken for granted!).  And yet, even with the most subtle, most distinguished form of interplay there is always one in the trio who plays the part of the primus inter pares – the pianist, of course (usually and by definition leader of the group).  That’s exactly where pianist Michael Arbenz, drummer Florian Arbenz and bassist Thomas Lähns come up with their own idea of musical interplay.  In fact, what they aim to achieve with their music – their understanding of music – is nothing less than the greatest possible balance of their three voices – starting with the way they work out their own compositions and arrangements, and going right through to the soloistic parts, fully assigned to all three of them.  The result is a stupendous musical togetherness, packed with surprising melodic, rhythmic and dynamic turns, played with highest precision even in the most complex, distorted and twisted passages of their compositions, arrangements and solos.

Tickets for the gig cost £14 (£5 for students) and can be bought through the Huddersfield Jazz website.

Gig Preview: Jazz Jamaica at Howard Assembly Room, April 26th

One of the UK's best loved ensembles is playing at Howard Assembly Room in Leeds on April 26th.

Breathtaking stuff. Britain has its own rival to the Buena Vista Social Club. See them now before the rest of the world grabs them. - The Guardian

From the Howard Assembly Room website...

In 1991, inspired by the rhythms of traditional Jamaican music and the largely improvisational nature of jazz, leading double bassist Gary Crosby turned a musical concept into a joyful reality. His vision - a fusion of mento, ska, reggae and jazz, classic and modern jazz standards alongside Jamaican folk songs - resulted in Jazz Jamaica.

Since then, a stream of talented young jazz musicians have joined the Jazz Jamaica project. For Leeds International Festival, the 10-piece version of the band brings their exhilarating, spontaneous sound to the Howard Assembly Room.

Tickets cost £18.50 and can be booked on the Howard Assembly Room website.

LCoM Contemporary Jazz Orchestra ft. Iain Ballamy, March 27th

Internationally renowned saxophonist Iain Ballamy will be the featured soloist with LCoM's Contemporary Jazz Orchestra in a special concert at The Venue on March 27th.

The programme will be comprised entirely of Ballamy's music, arranged by Head of Jazz at Guildhall Malcolm Edmonstone. The orchestra will be directed by trumpeter and part of the LCoM faculty, Mark Chandler.

Tickets cost £8/5 and can be bought online through the LCoM website or on the door.

From the LCoM website...

 ECM recording artist Iain Ballamy is an internationally recognised saxophonist and composer who has been variously described as urbane, original, freethinking and uncompromising.
 
Listed in the BBC’s publication ‘100 Jazz Greats’ between Count Basie and Chet Baker, Ballamy’s work is contemporary with both strong jazz and classical references and yet un-encumbered by formality and tradition.
 
Over three decades spent transcending musical genres and stereotypes and by forging strong and ongoing relationships with musicians around the globe, Ballamy has worked with many cutting-edge figures of today’s contemporary Jazz scene.
 
Ballamy was presented with the BBC Jazz Award for Innovation in 2001.

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.

Misha Mengelberg Photo Exhibiton at Sage Gateshead, March 14th - April 14th

News is spreading throughout the global community of jazz and improvised music of the death of influential musician and composer Misha Mengelberg who died in Amsterdam today aged 81.

A co-founder of the Instant Composer Pool Orchestra, Mengelberg's life is being celebrated at the Sage Gateshead in a month-long photography exhibition which features images from both Dutch and international photographers.

Mengelberg's career stretched over many decades and he collaborated with the likes of Derek Bailey, Han Bennink, Peter Brotzmann, Evan Parker and Anthony Braxton.

The ICP Orchestra will also perform live at the Sage on April 1st as part of the Gateshead International Jazz Festival.

For more information, see Mengelberg's wikipedia page and the Sage Gateshead website.

Gig Preview: Pat McCarthy at Grimsby Jazz, December 7th

Gill Wilde and the team at Grimsby Jazz are gearing up to host the final gig of their season on December 7th featuring one of the area's best loved musicians.

Guitarist Pat McCarthy has strong links to Grimsby Jazz with a busy gig schedule in the North. He is a firm favourite with the club's audience and so it's fitting that he'll be performing on this special, festive gig.

He is joined by his regular band - drummer John Perry and bassist Warren Jolly. But that's not all; Pat has also invited some special guests to join him. Vocalist Shannon Reilly will sing with the group (Shannon and Pat work together often and are featured on this year's Northern Line artist roster), trumpeter Thom Whitworth will be there too and the multi-talented Canadian musician Piero Tucci will also add to the fun, playing saxophone, accordian and piano.

To fit all of this in, the event will start earlier than the usual Grimsby Jazz gigs and will be three sets rather than two. Music starts from 8pm and tickets cost £14 on the door.

To find out more about this and the other gigs put on by Grimsby Jazz, visit their website.

Gig Preview: Tipitina at Ribble Valley Jazz & Blues Club

Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues Club have organised a gig guaranteed to bring the festive atmosphere for their final gig of the year on December 9th.

Lancashire based band Tipitina love the music of New Orleans, Barrelhouse, Gospel and Rhythm & Blues. Fronted by vocalist Debbie Jones and including the talents of Justin Randall, John Hicks, Andrew Dalton, Andrew Jones and Pat Flood, Tipitina launched their debut album back in 2009 and have since built up a strong following across the UK.

“A wholly admirable album, the youthful energy, sincerity and obvious affection for the New Orleans style is captivating – a sure-fire club and festival attraction” - Jazz Journal
“To capture the spirit of New Orleans so fully, from a base in the North West of England is a spectacular achievement”
- The Guardian
“Instantly recognisable, Tipitina are really on to something” - Paul Jones, BBC Radio 2 

The gig costs £10, £8 for members. There is a food available at the venue from 6pm until 9pm, so audiences can book a table early and make an evening of it.

For more information, visit the Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues Club website.

New Jazz Jam night in Leeds - Sid's Little Egg

Calling all musicians and jazz fans in Leeds; there's a new jazz night starting up this Sunday (13th) thanks to double bassist Roz Macdonald.

Sid's Little Egg is a newly opened bar near Brewery Wharf in Leeds and it is hoped that if all goes well on Sunday, it could become a regular venue for the jazz jam every fortnight.

Originally from Scotland, Roz is a recent graduate of the jazz course at Leeds College of Music and was announced as being one of this year's Yamaha Jazz Scholars (see this London Jazz News article announcing the Scholars). For this first session on Sunday, Roz's band Ekacnap will be the house band, playing a set from 5pm until 6pm. The jam then opens from 6.15pm and runs until 9pm.

This has the potential to turn into a great hub for musicians - there isn't currently a jam that runs in that early evening slot on a Sunday and with a good location and drinks deals, it seems like Roz has picked a great spot.

As with all of these ventures, they can only run if people vote with theit feet and head down regularly. Well done to Roz for setting it up - support live music and join her and Ekacnap there on Sunday 13th.

For more information, see the Sid's Little Egg facebook page.

Gig Preview: Nerija at Seven Arts

On Thursday 3rd November, Seven Jazz in Leeds presents one of the most talked about emerging ensembles in the UK - all-female group Nerija.

Recently nominated for Breakthrough Act of the Year 2016 at the JazzFM awards, Nerija are a group of London-based musicians that met through Tomorrow's Warriors. Since forming, they have toured together in the UK and Europe and have opened for Jazz Jamaica at Ronnie Scott's. Most recently, they released their debut EP, available on Bandcamp.

Nérija have their debut album out now, and it is well worth checking out. Comprised of young stars on the rise, they combine high energy with powerful talent and impressive jazz chops. Listen out for trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Grey and saxophonist Nubya Garcia in particular -  Jazzwise Nov 2016

Sheila Maurice-Grey - trumpet
Rosie Turton - trombone
Cassie Kinoshi - alto
Nubya Garcia - tenor
Shirley Tetteh - guitar
Inga Eichler - double bass
Lizy Exel - drums

The gig starts at 8pm and tickets cost £16/14 concessions. Support comes from Leeds vocalist Nel Begley.

To find out more about this and the other gigs lined up at Seven, visit the Seven Jazz website. 

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.

Jazz North team up with Kala Sangam in Bradford, October 22nd

If you're in or around Bradford tomorrow, why not head to Kala Sangam Arts Centre to see a special concert supported by Jazz North, Kala Sangam and the International Foundation of Carnatic Music.

Sur Sangam is a project run by South Asian Arts Centre Kala Sangam and tomorrow evening it will feature the world renowned N Ravikiran, R N Prakash and R N Prathap and Jazz violinist Olivia Moore.

From the Kala Sangam website...

Since his grand entrance at the age of two, Ravikiran has won world wide critical acclaim. He has been one of the most inspiring ambassadors of Indian music and culture. The substance and quality of his contributions as instrumentalist, composer, vocalist, guru, author and orator are held in the highest regard.  

Ravikiran is the inventor of the Award-Winning world music concept ‘Melharmony’ and he is a history making achiever of epic proportions with feats like setting to music 1330 verses of ancient Tirukkural in only 16 hours.

The International Foundation for Carnatic Music (IFCM) is a non-profit organisation whose main motto is ‘Service to Music; Service through Music.’ The IFCM not only endeavours to foster one of the world’s greatest melodic art forms – Carnatic music, but also strives to promote mutual appreciation, goodwill and peace between people of diverse countries and cultures.

Tickets for the event cost £7.50/£5 concessions and a family ticket is available for £20. Tickets can be purchased through the Kala Sangam website.

Gilad Hekselman Trio comes to Leeds, November 9th

One of the most highly regarded jazz guitars in the world will play a one-off performance in Leeds on November 9th as well as a masterclass at Leeds College of Music.

Gilad Hekselman moved from his native Israel to New York in 2004 and has earned his place at the top of his field working with musicians like Mark Turner, Chris Potter, Ari Hoenig, Avishai Cohen and more. To date he has released 5 albums as leader, his latest being Homes in 2015.

... possessing a distinctive lyricism and easily embraceable artfulness that seems to reach beyond his years... Hekselman has a pristine, crystalline sound and a bright playing style that seems as natural and sustaining as air and water... Imagine a brightly lit day, sunlight on water - you are there. If Monet’s waterlily studies were music this could be it... with a quiet assertiveness and expertise that is winning throughout... - Laurel Gross, All About Jazz

Gilad comes to Leeds with his trio featuring double bassist Joe Martin and drummer Kush Abadey. The gig takes place at Wharf Chambers and is hosted by Kim Macari's Apollo Jazz Network in collaboration with bassist and Sela Bar jazz promoter Tom Riviere. 

Tickets are priced at £10 and can be bought online through Ticket Tailor. Tickets are selling incredibly fast and are limited so people are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

For more on Gilad, visit his website.

Brass Bands go to war at Matt & Phreds, October 2nd

Jazz misses out on the good old Battle of the Bands format that rock has relished for decades. Well, Matt & Phred's have decided we should get in on the action and has organised a Battle of the Brass Bands for Sunday October 2nd.

From Matt & Phred's website...

Matt and Phreds love Brass... really LOVE brass. Over the years we have hosted some of the best, so when a new band rings us up saying "we can bring it at Matt and Phreds" we like to know if they are up to the challenge! To put them to the test, for one night only, we bring you two of the hottest Brass Bands in the North, face to face, trombone to trombone to battle it out.

The Battle features Leeds based BACK CHAT BRASS, 8 of the North's best musicians from some of our favourite bands who have graced the M&P stage, (New York Brass Band, Portmanteau), and to put them to the test, TWISTED TUBES, 10 of our heavy hitting local boys, who have graced the likes of Wembley Stadium, will be raising the stakes on this night to see who will become the first ever M&P's Brass Battle Stars.

Join us for the 'Brass Battle' and may the best band win...

THE BATTLE GROUND:

4-7pm - Pre-BATTLE HAPPY HOUR | FREE PIZZA DEAL | 2-4-1 COCKTAILS
7.30pm - NQ BATTLE PARADE - The parade starts at the club, with both bands hitting the Northern Quarter before the main Battle!
7.45pm - THE BATTLE COMMENCES!

For full information, check out Matt & Phred's website.