One Day Jazz Vocal Workshop with Nicki Allan, September 10th

Well loved jazz singer Nicki Allan has announced that she will host a one day jazz vocal workshop on September 10th at Inkwell in Chapel Allerton, Leeds.

Nicki says...

Would you like to learn to Scat Sing or do an intrumental solo with your voice but don't have the confidence or ability quite just yet? Then this could be for you..I'm running a Jazz Vocal Improvisation and Repertoire workshop to cover all of that stuff from simple, effective warm ups, modes and phrases to help you get going plus lots of interactive singing and scatting and an afternoon session putting it all together with repertoire and how to connect with lyrics with our live house jazz trio plus light lunch and all day refreshments are included in the price for just £75 for the whole day. 


To book a place simply email me, Nicki Allan at allannicki@hotmail.com or call 07905 482615 or better still, both.
Places are limited because this is an intimate workshop not a huge crowd. Everyone gets a go and gets to take part.

As Nicki says, space will be limited so if you're interested, book soon. To find out more about Nicki, visit her website - www.nickiallan.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.

A Fond Farewell to Fusebox and JazzintoDoncaster

The vibrant, diverse jazz scene in the North has a lot to thank the voluntary promoter sector for; a huge number of jazz venues in the North are run entirely by passionate volunteers. The landscape changes frequently and unfortunately, just as new venues and nights pop up regularly, we must say farewell to others.

We use this opportunity to celebrate the brilliant and vital contributions made by two promoters of live jazz that have sadly wound up; Fusebox in Leeds and JazzintoDoncaster. Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to the teams of people who ran these ventures.

Message from Fusebox -

I'm afraid that Fusebox isn't active anymore. After a meeting last October and a fruitful discussion with the Arts Council, we decided to take a pause, while we wrote a bid and  restyled ourselves.

The plan was to start up again with a new format in September but as time passed and with the busy and complex lives of the musician members, nothing developed and so the general consensus was that Fusebox has run it's course. Sad to see.

Bill Chatwin

Message from JazzintoDoncaster -

Sorry to report that JazzintoDoncaster has now ceased due the fall in people attending with the demography of our supporters. We have been subsidising the Bands over the last 12-18 months and our funds have now been depleted.

We may have one final performance featuring the Doncaster Youth Jazz Orchestra at a future date to be arranged.

Thank you for your support, especially Charlie Worsdale, Peter Robinson, Malcolm Silverwood and all previous Committee Members the founders of JazzintoDoncaster

Brian Askew

Jazz on a Summer's Day in Chapel Allerton, June 10th

To celebrate (or perhaps to encourage) the lovely weather, Chapel Allerton Club are putting on a full day event, Jazz on a Summer's Day this Saturday, June 10th.

Starting at 1pm and free to attend, the day will include performances by Brendan Duffy, Nicki Allan, Ros Lewis and Marlena Rose.

See the poster below for full details!

Sloth Racket 'Shapeshifters' tour comes to Leeds, June 26th

Sloth Racket release their second album, Shapeshifters, on 12th June on the Luminous label. To accompany this release, the band are embarking on a 6 date tour of the UK including a gig at Sproggits, the jazz and improvised music night run at Wharf Chambers in Leeds.

Sloth Racket are -

Cath Roberts - baritone saxophone, composition
Sam Andreae - tenor saxophone
Anton Hunter - guitar
Seth Bennett - double bass
Johnny Hunter - drums

From Cath's website...

To launch the album we’re heading out on tour at the end of June, with support from Arts Council England. The tour takes us to some new places, perhaps the most exciting of which is the first ever edition of Listen! in Cambridge. Listen! is being set up by dedicated London jazz scene supporters Carol Garrison and Graham Lee, who have relocated to Cambridge and decided to get their hands dirty setting up a new outpost for adventurous music there. As well as Cambridge we’ll be playing in Bristol and Norwich for the first time, plus returning to Leeds and Brighton to play at Wharf Chambers and Safehouse. To start things off we’ll be doing a set on the Saturday of the second LUME Festival, which presumably you’ve already got your tickets for…

Here’s the tour itinerary, with links to more info on the gigs:

24th June London: IKLECTIK (LUME Festival)
26th June Leeds: Wharf Chambers (presented by Sproggits)
27th June Bristol: The Old England (presented by Pull The Strings)
28th June Brighton: The Verdict (presented by Safehouse)
29th June Norwich: York Tavern (presented by Plink Plonk)
30th June Cambridge: Unitarian Church (presented by Listen!)

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.

Richard Turner Film - crowdfunding campaign now live

An indiegogo campaign has been launched to create a film about the well-loved trumpeter Richard Turner, who died in 2011 aged just 27.

Musician and friend of Richard's, Rob Cope, is leading the project and is hoping to raise £3,000 to support the creation of the film and soundtrack as well as to fund trips to interview a number of friends and colleagues about Richard and his life in music.

From the indiegogo page...

We are creating a film about Richard Turner. Richard was an extremely talented and generous young jazz trumpeter who sadly died in 2011, aged 27. This film will remember and honour Richard's memory. To say he was a culturally significant musician is an understatement and we want to document all of his achievements. We are also going to examine just how important Richard's music has been and explore his lasting legacy in jazz.

Richard grew up in Leeds and studied at LCoM before heading South to study his masters at the Royal Academy. As well as a busy performing life, he also set up jazz at the Con Cellar Bar in Camden, hosting regular gigs from both UK and international artists.

With 24 days still to go, the campaign has so far received £1,977 of it's £3,000 goal. To read more and to donate to this worthwhile project, visit the Richard Turner indiegogo page.

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.

NJN Jazz Advent Calendar - Back Chat Brass (Dec 24th)

It's Christmas Eve! We've reached the end of our advent calendar of musical treats and who better to send us off than Back Chat Brass.

Click here to hear the band in full festive flow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3x1LFGl8bE

Back Chat Brass are an instant favourite. With a nod to their roots in pop, funk and hip hop, their brassy twist on classic tunes combined with electrifying showmanship will ignite any occasion. Equally at home wielding their horns on a stage or roaming round a festival Back Chat Brass will LITERALLY drag you out of your seat for an all night party.

NJN Jazz Advent Calendar - Emma Johnson's Gravy Boat (Dec 23rd)

Behind our penultimate door of the NJN advent Calendar is a talented young saxophonist Emma Johnson and her group, Gravy Boat.

Click here to listen to an exclusive preview of the band's upcoming EP - https://soundcloud.com/emmajohnsonmusic/where-were-you-hiding

Emma Johnson's Gravy Boat is an outlet for Emma's original compositions, which aim to explore the different textures and possibilities that can emerge from a small band of close-knit musicians performing together. 

The Gravy Boat set sail from Leeds in 2016 and have been performing local gigs whilst honing their sound. Emma's writing for the quartet displays a contemporary sound rooted by strong melodies and the band have recently recorded their first EP, which is due to be released early in the New Year. Expect catchy melodies woven around strong grooves, sharp contrasts in texture and dynamic to keep the listener on their toes and that underlying friendly feeling that comes from something new, but just a tiny bit familiar.

Saxophone - Emma Johnson

Guitar - Calvin Travers

Double Bass - Sam Quintana

Drums - Alasdair Wells

http://www.johnsonmusic.co.uk/gravy-boat

News from Fusebox

FUSEBOX has become an integral part of the Northern Jazz scene in recent years. The time have worked tirelessly to promote cutting edge, boundary pushing music and the Fox and Newt in Leeds has become known both by UK and international musicians as a supportive, inspiring venue. This week, the team have announced that there are to be some changes and we wanted to help spread the word.

From the Fusebox facebook page -

As I mentioned at the last gig, the Fusebox core team have been discussing ways in which we might develop Fusebox.

We've done great things over the last few years and we want to thank every musician who has played a show and, most importantly, every audience member who has bought a ticket.

Due to this fantastic support all of us here at Fusebox want to give you all something better, something bigger and something stronger.

In order for us to do this we need to take some time.

So, as Fusebox changes, we ask you all to be patient and stick by us.

In the meantime we'll keep Fusebox in your mind, by being in touch with info on Fusebox-related artists including live shows, releases, videos and broadcasts so you will always be up to date and have music to listen to.

You'll see and hear soon, on here, what happens next with Fusebox and we think you're going to love it.

With great respect, a heartfelt thanks a very merry christmas and a happy new year.

FUSEBOX

Stay tuned by visiting the fusebox website and facebook page. We look forward to seeing what 2017 has in store for this great venture!

Nikki Iles and Stan Sulzmann at LCoM, December 2nd

Leeds College of Music is to host Nikki Iles and Stan Sulzmann in a special workshop on December 2nd.

The workshop will focus on duo playing and improvisation and who better to learn from than a pair of musicians whose musical friendship spans over 20 years and two duo albums?

Pianist Nikki Iles has a long connection to LCoM, first studying there as an undergraduate and later teaching piano. Recently, Nikki was asked to direct an all-star alumni big band to celebrate the college's 50th birthday.

This workshop is open to the public and tickets cost just £5. For more information and to book tickets, visit the LCoM website.

Calling all young musicians: LCoM Generation Big Band

Leeds College of Music is welcoming applications for young musicians to take place in the newly assembled Generation Big Band.

From the LCoM website...

Generation Big Band at Leeds College of Music aims to bring together excellence across all generations of the Yorkshire jazz community.
Using cutting edge arrangements the band will consist of alumni who are working professionally in the music business, existing LCoM conservatoire students, along with up and coming young musicians who show great potential. Whilst this is a three-tier ensemble the emphasis is on quality and an opportunity to bring together the best of the best.
Through the audition process we are excited about reaching out especially to the younger jazz community and bringing together musicians who are passionate about improvising. Whilst places will be limited, this is a chance to connect with you, so please apply for an audition if you are interested – it might lead to other things.
The fee for young musicians is £125.

The deadline for applications is Midday on Wednesday 23rd November. Auditions will then take place on November 26th. There are 6 places available and while they would expect to receive applications from musicians aged over 14, they are open to applications from younger musicians too.

Congratulations to LCoM for this exciting initiative - bringing generations of musicians together to share music and learn from each other is a great idea!

For more information, visit the LCoM 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.

Gig Preview: Bitch 'n' Monk at Fusebox, 23rd September

It's the welcome return of Fusebox this week and the team have lined up yet another eclectic, surprising and inspired programme for Autumn.

To start them off, they host Bitch'n'Monk on Friday 23rd September.

Bitch'n'Monk are Heidi Heidelberg and Mauricio Velasierra, an Anglo-Colombian duo that defy genre altogether.

In the intriguing Anglo- Colombian duo Heidi plays guitar, sings and beatboxes and Mauricio plays assorted flutes. The two transform their sound into junkyard electronica through the ingenious use of looping pedals. You’ll spend a while pondering how to classify them. Prog folk? Operatic post-punk? Gothic reggae? But they know how to write melodies - The Guardian

Tickets cost £8/6 and to make it even more of a bargain, the evening will start with a solo set from bassist Dave Kane. It's doors from 8pm and music starts at 8.30pm.

For more information and the other exciting gigs coming up this season, see the Fusebox website.

LS6 & Sela Bar welcome new students to Leeds with jazz

It's at this time of year that Leeds comes to life as thousands of students descend to start their autumn semester. Many venues will run lots of live music to welcome the new arrivals and show them how vibrant the music scene is and jazz is no different. Two musician-promoters, Benji Powling and Tom Riviere, have made a significant impact on the scene through their programming at LS6 and Sela Bar respectively so we'd like to highlight the two jazz offerings they are hosting this week -

September 18th - LCoM Tutor Band & Jam at Sela

The Cooler returns from it's summer break with a great line-up put together by LCoM jazz pathway leader Jamil Sheriff to welcome the new intake of students to Leeds. As a special one-off event we've teamed up with LCoMSU to organise a jam session after the set, so bring your instruments!

Joel Purnell - Tenor Saxophone
Jamil Sheriff - Piano
Garry Jackson - Double-Bass
Dave Walsh - Drums 

September 21st - Emma Johnson's Gravy Boat & Jam at LS6

Recent LCoM graduate Emma Johnson kicks off the autumn season of LS6's weekly gigs with her project, Gravy Boat. Drawing inspiration from great contemporary tenor players like Seamus Blake, Emma's writing style is rooted in strong melodies. 

Emma Johnson - Tenor Saxophone
Calvin Travers - Guitar
Sam Quintana - Double Bass
Ali Wells - Drums 

To keep up to date with the listings for both of these nights, see the Cooler and LS6 facebook page. 

Michael Jackson Big Band Night at Sela Bar, Leeds - September 22nd

For one night only, Sela Bar in Leeds will play host to a very special celebration of the King of Pop with an evening of big band arrangement of Michael Jackson's greatest hits.

Watch a 19-piece all star big band reimagine your favourite Michael Jackson tunes from the powerhouse albums that define the modern pop genre: "Off The Wall" and "Thriller". Throw in tunes from Prince, Chaka Khan, Phil Collins, Buddy Rich, Thad Jones and you have a night that promises to please fans of big bands, pop music and die hard MJ fans alike. There is something for everyone! 

Trumpeter Ciaran Diston and guitarist Conall Mulvenna will run the show and are responsible for the arrangements. Joining them are a host of Leeds' finest young jazz musicians - 

Vocals: Alice Higgins
Rhythm: Tom Higham, Jess Mollie, Angus Milne, Kieran Gunter, Chris Bland
Saxes: James Boyes, Daniel Brunskill, Will Howard, Rose Perry, Jack Chandler
Trombones: Danny Barley, Elliot Crouch, Laurence Marshall, Pat Martin
Trumpets: Ciaran Diston, Tom Hill, Tom Sharp, Dan Coulthurst

The nights are drawing in and although that might mean the end of BBQs and sunbathing, it does mean the the new season of jazz gigs are starting so it's time to get your diary out and start planning so you don't miss a thing...

For more information, see the event facebook page.