New efpi release: Friendly Ghosts by Adam Fairhall

Manchester based label efpi have announced their latest release, a solo album by Adam Fairhall.

Friendly Ghosts was officially released on August 11th and is Adam's first solo offering. The material was recorded during two concerts as part of Jazz North's Northern Line scheme in Newcastle and Manchester.

A little information about Adam Fairhall -

Over the past decade, Adam Fairhall has forged an international reputation as a jazz pianist and improviser of exceptional versatility. Named as a nod to the ever-present influence of long-gone pianists on his playing, Friendly Ghosts represents Adam’s recorded debut as a solo pianist and continues the synthesis of styles that has long been a feature of his work. 

The album is available to purchase on bandcamp; the physical CD is priced at £11 but those who pay above that also receive an efpi neon badge. There is also the option to download the album at a cost of £7.

To find out more, visit Adam Fairhall's website.

Gig Preview: Imani Hekima in Bradford, March 4th

Solo pianist Imani Hekima will perform at the Delius Arts Centre in Bradford on March 4th presenting a diverse programme of music from jazz to Bollywood.

The lunchtime concert will take place from 12.45pm until 1.30pm and costs £3/2. It's a BYOF event and is open to families (children go for free!)

I’ve been following Imani’s work for a while and his piano playing and knowledge of Bollywood classics is astounding...(Ashanti OMkar- BBC Asian Network)

You can find out more about Imani by visiting his website or by following him on twitter, @pianoimani.

Gig Preview: Sam Watts Solo Piano at Heart

Saturday 13th June
Jazz at Heart presents Sam Watts Solo Piano
£8/6conc
7.30pm

On June 13th, Jazz at Heart will host a special concert featuring pianist Sam Watts, a mixture of performance and discussion.

A year ago, pianist and composer Sam Watts gave a solo piano concert, interspersed with some of his thoughts and ideas about music. It was the talk of Headingley and many people asked for it to be repeated because they’d missed it – or wanted to see it again! So, we’re bringing him back!
Sam will be talking about how we listen to and perceive music and about exactly how it works and how we can better understand it, with illustrated examples. He is a great communicator and this concert/gig will suit music lovers, young and old.
 There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions and discuss the ideas collectively. The concert will include music by Duke Ellington, Claude Debussy, traditional Brazilian music, and many others as well as Sam’s own compositions.
Sam is a brilliant jazz pianist who has taken the capital by storm since he left Leeds College of Music. He has been known cause people to cry with the beauty of his playing, so bring hankies!

More information on Sam can be found on his website. 
See the Jazz at Heart website for details on other upcoming gigs, workshops and jam sessions.

Abdullah Ibrahim celebrates 80th Birthday in Leeds

South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim is to return to Leeds to perform a special concert at Howard Assembly Room to mark his 80th birthday.

The solo concert takes place on November 20th and is one of only two UK dates that Ibrahim has announced in 2014; the other being at London Jazz Festival with his trio and Ekaya.

From Howard Assembly Room...

The legendary South African pianist and composer occupies a central position in his country's music history as an exile from apartheid and politicised pioneer of Township and Cape Jazz.

There’s nothing in music quite like the atmosphere of an Abdullah Ibrahim concert.

Tickets can be booked through the Howard Assembly Room site and are £20 each.