Stanley Clarke in Leeds and Manchester

Jazz bass legend Stanley Clarke plays Brudenell Social Club in Leeds and Band on the Wall Manchester as part of a UK tour in July

Tuesday 18 July - Manchester Band on the Wall
Monday 24th July - Leeds, Brudenell

During his 45+ year career, he has collaborated with such notable figures as Quincy Jones, Paul McCartney, Jeff Beck, Keith Richards, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, The Police, Herbie Hancock to name a few.

Doubling on acoustic and electric bass with equal ferocity, Clarke was the first jazz fusion bassist ever to headline tours, selling out shows worldwide. Known for his intense dexterity and consummate musicality, Clarke is a true pioneer in jazz and bass.

Also an accomplished film and TV composer of over 65 projects, Clarke’s credits include Boyz N The Hood, the Tina Turner biopic What’s Love Got to Do With It, Romeo Must Die, The Transporter and most recently 2016’s Barbershop: The Next Cut.

These are extremely rare and unmissable shows from a living legend, so prepare to be left in awe as he blows the roof off a venue near you!

‘Stanley Clarke is a bass legend.’ Jazz Times

‘As a global bass-hero Clarke needs little introduction, as his work on both acoustic and electric bass, and his compositions across many genres including numerous film and TV scores, are renowned.’ Jazzwise Magazine

‘He's one of the greatest bassists to have sold his improvising gifts to the dancefloor.’ Guardian

Tickets  http://skiddle.com/e/12997011

Geri Allen RIP

Pianist and composer Geri Allen died June 27 from complications of cancer in Philadelphia. Allen celebrated her 60th birthday on June 12.

"The jazz community will never be the same with the loss of one of our geniuses, Geri Allen," said Carrington in a statement. "Her virtuosity and musicality are unparalleled. She is a true original -- one of a kind -- never to be forgotten."

One of the first to graduate from Washington, D.C.'s Howard University with a bachelor’s degree in jazz studies in 1979, Allen studied with renowned jazz pianist Kenny Barron in New York City. Following, she signed with Blue Note Records in 1990 and released The Nurturer album. Crafting a career that lasted more than 35 years, Allen recorded, performed and collaborated with a diverse array of artists and musicians. In addition to Carrington and Spalding, Allen’s lengthy list of credits includes Ornette Coleman, Betty Carter, Jason Moran, Dianne Reeves, Angelique Kidjo and Mary Wilson and The Supremes.

Allen’s 2010 solo piano album, Flying Towards the Sound, was ranked as “Best of 2010” on NPR and DownBeat magazine’s critics polls. Awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in recognition of her innovative work in jazz, Allen was the first recipient of the Soul Train Lady of Soul Award for Jazz. She was also presented with a honorary doctorate of music degree by Boston’s Berklee College of Music.

Allen is survived by her three children (Laila, Wally and Barbara), father Mount Vernell Allen Jr. and brother Mount Vernell Allen III.

Obituary from Billboard Magazine

Listen to some of her wonderful piano playing here -  Lonely Woman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYdu-Oxowgs

No rest for the wicked (yet) at Jazz North East...

 Misha Mullov-Abbado 25 July

From Paul Bream, Jazz North East

Like the majority of jazz promoters, Jazz North East take a well earned (well, that’s what they think) rest during August, but they’ve got plenty on offer in July before signing off and heading to the sun drenched beaches of South Shields.

It’s a period that sees a couple of significant collaborations, starting at the very beginning of the month (Saturday 1st) when they are programming the Jazz Stage at a festival run by Narc Magazine, with four bands headed by the newly revamped Roller Trio - with Chris Sharkey replacing Luke Wynter on guitar. Sparks are expected to fly.

Then, on Thursday 20th, it’s a co-promotion with Asian arts organisation GemArts as part of their Masala Festival. This involves Ninja Tunes drummer and producer Sarathy Korwar playing his first UK gig outside London with his quintet, showcasing his ‘Day to Day’ album that fuses traditional Indian folk music with jazz and electronics.

Between those two festival gigs, JNE dispenses a couple of its usual adventurous gigs. On Sunday 2nd they pull together South African saxophonist Ntshuks Bonga, Scottish guitarist George Burt, and Geordie bassist Andy Champion for a first time improv meeting at which just about anything could happen - and probably will. And a week later, on the 9th, two of the North’s most exciting young bands - Skeltr from Manchester and Skwid Ink from Leeds - come together in a double bill marked by the sound of genre walls being energetically demolished.

Finally, just prior to packing the bathers and the flip-flops, there’s an outing for award-winning bassist Misha Mullov-Abbado and his sextet, with a combination of complex yet catchy tunes and scorchingly imaginative solos. A great ending to a packed month.

Saturday 1st July | 7:00pm
HAPSBURG BRAGANZA + D’SILVA, POPE & ALDERSON + MOHAWI + ROLLER TRIO
Cluny 2 | 36 Lime Street | Newcastle NE1 1PQ
Free admission

Sunday 2nd July | 8:00pm
BONGA, BURT & CHAMPION
Bridge Hotel | Castle Garth | Newcastle NE1 1RQ
Admission £8.00 | concessions £6.00

Sunday 9th July | 8:00pm
SKELTR + SKWID INK
Bridge Hotel | Castle Garth | Newcastle NE1 1RQ
Admission £8.00 | concessions £6.00

Thursday 20th July | 8:00pm
SARATHY KORWAR QUINTET
Black Swan | 59 Westgate Road | Newcastle NE1 1SG
Admission £8.00 | concessions £6.00

Tuesday 25th July | 8:00pm
MISHA MULLOV-ABBADO GROUP
Jazz Café | 25 Pink Lane | Newcastle NE1 5DW
Admission £10.00 | concessions £8.00

Details of all gigs at www.jazznortheast.com

North east July gigs list

Skelr July 9th 

Here are the jazz gigs for July in the North East

Jul 1 Spirit of New Orleans* St Augustine’s, Darlington DL3 7TG
Jul 1 NARC Festival: Jazz North East Cluny NE1 2PQ
Jul 2 Dennis Rollins, Vocal Collective & Durham Alumni Big Band Hummersknott Academy,
         Darlington DL3 8AR
Jul 2 Bonga, Burt & Champion Bridge Hotel NE1 1RQ
Jul 3 Aidan O’Rourke & Kit Downes Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham DH1 3HX
Jul 7 Northern Monkey Brass Band Cumberland Arms, Byker NE6 1LD
Jul 7 Sotavento Big Band Saltburn Community Hall & Theatre TS12 1JW
Jul 7 Dean Stockdale & Noel Dennis Jazz Café NE1 5DW
Jul 8-9 Mouth of the Tyne Festival Front Street, Tynemouth NE30
Jul 9 Scottish Swing Orchestra Gala Theatre, Durham DH1 1WA
Jul 9 Sotavento Big Band Jazz Co-op @ The Globe NE4 7AD
Jul 9 Skeltr + Skwid Ink Bridge Hotel NE1 1RQ
Jul 11 Tom Riviere’s Family Band TESTT, Durham DH1
Jul 12 Tunde Jegede Jazz Café NE1 5DW
Jul 12 BBC Big Band Quartet Undercroft, Durham Cathedral DH1 3EH
Jul 13 Matthew’s Farewell Jazz Party Jazz Café NE1 5DW
Jul 13 Dizzy & Co Gala Theatre, Durham DH1 1WA
Jul 13 Alan Glen Trio Jazz Co-op @ The Globe NE4 7AD
Jul 14-16 Big Band Summer School Gala Theatre, Durham DH1 1WA
Jul 14 Emma Fisk’s Hot Club du Nord Scarth Hall, Staindrop DL2 3LD
Jul 14 Customs House Big Band Traveller’s Rest, Darlington DL3 9ER
Jul 14 Lindsay Hannon & Mark Williams Jazz Café NE1 5DW
Jul 15 Jambone & Quay Voices* Ushaw, Durham DH7 9RH
Jul 15 Colin Aitchison* Black Bull, Blaydon NE21 4JJ
Jul 16 Annie Hawkins* Elephant, Ashington NE63 0SZ
Jul 16 Jambone & Quay Voices Sage Gateshead NE8 2JR
Jul 20 Sarathy Kowar Quintet Black Swan NE1 1SG
Jul 21 Alice Grace Trio* Bishop Auckland Town Hall DL14 7NP
Jul 21 Ruth Lambert Quartet* Lit & Phil NE1 1SE
Jul 22 Big Chris Barber Band Alnwick Playhouse NE66 1PQ
Jul 23 Jason Isaacs Big Band* Hoochie Coochie NE1 6SF
Jul 23 Steve Glendinning Trio Jazz Co-op @ the Globe NE4 7AD
Jul 25 Misha Mullov-Abbado Sextet Jazz Café NE1 5DW
Jul 26 Jo Harrop & Joel Byrne-McCullough Cherry Tree Restaurant NE2 2AE
Jul 27 Alter Ego Jazz Co-op @ The Globe NE4 7AD
Jul 27 Jo Harrop & Paul Edis Jazz Café NE1 5DW
Jul 28 Jo Harrop Quartet* Gala Theatre, Durham DH1 1WA
Jul 28 Hackney Colliery Band Sage Gateshead NE8 2JR
Jul 28 Jo Harrop Quartet Ushaw, Durham DH7 9RH
Jul 28 Alice Grace & James Harrison Jazz Café NE1 5DW
Jul 30 Alice Grace & Ben Helm* Bonbar NE1 5XU  

All gigs Newcastle unless stated otherwise
*lunchtime/afternoon

Russell Corbett's North East Jazz Line up

Jiggs Whigham Jul 13th

Summertime brings festive treats. In July the north east of England just about covers the waterfront   with the mammoth Durham Brass Festival popping up at locations across County Durham, up north  the Mouth of the Tyne Festival presents a diverse range of bands from the regional jazz scene, and Jazz North East programmes the jazz offer at NARC magazine’s Ouseburn-centric festival.

In this, the centenary year of Dizzy Gillespie’s birth, Durham Brass Festival will pay homage to the man with Jiggs Whigham conducting the BBC Big Band at the Gala Theatre (Jul 13). Whigham will play a major part during the festival leading an intensive three day Big Band Summer School. This is an amazing opportunity for young, intermediate and advanced musicians. For further information visit: www.brassfestival.co.uk. Tom Riviere’s Family Band will take part in the festivities (Jul 11) on North Road in Durham at the Empty Shop’s new satellite venue TESTT. Durham Cathedral gets in on the action with the BBC Big Band Quartet playing a gig in the Undercroft restaurant (Jul 12) and the key to the success of this annual festival is the free, outdoor performances across the county. A street corner or local park, brass players will turn up when least expected (Jul 7-16).

The Mouth of the Tyne jazz stage sets up adjacent to Tynemouth Priory, high above King Edward’s Bay over two days (Jul 8/9) from noon each day. Trumpeter Colin Aitchison appears once again as he makes his annual visit from Hong Kong, the Maine Street Jazzmen will play a set, similarly Pete Tanton’s Riviera Quartet, and vocalist Gabriele Heller. Satchmo disciple Aitchison plays a Saturday lunchtime gig at the Black Bull, Blaydon (Jul 15).

NARC Festival at the Cluny presents a free admission day of jazz including MoHaWi and the much hyped Roller Trio (Jul 1). Trombonist Dennis Rollins is the guest of Darlington Jazz Club (Jul 2) at Hummersknott Academy on the outskirts of Darlington. The Yorkshireman joins the Durham Alumni Big Band and Vocal Collective to play two sets starting at six o’clock. If a violin-harmonium duo in a laundrette is your thing, then you won’t want to miss Aidan O’Rourke and Kit Downes in Gilesgate, Durham (Jul 3) at the Old Cinema Laundrette on Marshall Terrace.

Sample a slice of jazz Argentina-style at Saltburn Community Hall & Theatre as the Sotavento Big Band comes to town (Jul 7), then heads north to Tyneside (Jul 9), pitching up at the Jazz Co-op on Railway Street, Newcastle. The Sotavento boasts an all saxophone horn section – no trombones or trumpets!

Jambone and Quay Voices, Sage Gateshead’s youth big band and vocal ensemble, take on a big  challenge at Ushaw, Durham (Jul 15, lunchtime), and at Sage HQ the following day as they tackle Ellington’s Sacred Music. Out in the wilds, Clockmakers (Mike Walker, Iain Dixon and Les Chisnall) turn up at Alwinton Church (Jul 1). There is much more to enjoy during sunny July. Go hear it!  

A quiet young man who wouldn’t blow his own trumpet is Matthew MacKellar. Matt, recently turned eighteen, is an accomplished drummer, holding the drum chair in the Early Bird Band (a Paul Edis development band), and sitting-in at Newcastle’s Jazz Café top flight jam session, winning acclaim from seasoned musicians. Matt is soon to leave us, heading to America to study at Berklee School of Music, Boston. All are invited to Matt’s leaving ‘do’ on July 13 at the Jazz Café, Newcastle. Billed as ‘Matthew’s Farewell Jazz Party’, many of Tyneside’s finest musicians will be dropping by to play a set. The action kicks-off at seven o’clock, ground floor and first floor. £6 on the door. Unmissable!  

                    
         

Newcastle Festival of Jazz returns!

From Wesley Stephenson, Jazz North East Newcastle

In 1995 the old Newcastle Jazz Festival closed it's doors, leaving a void in the city. Now, in celebration of the milestone 100th anniversary year of the first ever jazz recordings, it’s the perfect time to bring together and recognise some of the great venues and promoters working in the North East for the first 'Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music' 2017 28 September - 1 October 2017

Alongside some of the cream of regional players, the festival will welcome European musicians from France, Denmark and Switzerland, as well as some of the UK's most exciting improvisers from the Glasgow and London scenes.

Artists include:  Zoe Rahman, Laura Jurd, Troyka, Koan 6: Enlightenment, Politics and Poetry: The Keith Morris Memorial Concert, The Mark Williams Trio, Paul Taylor, Take Five , Julien Desprez and Mette Rasmussen / Schnellertollermeier / Acapulco, Three Trios

https://www.facebook.com/newcastlefestivalofjazzandimprovisedmusic/

University of South Florida Jazztet @Cinnamon Club

University of South Florida Jazztet - Monday 17th July 2018

Returning for the 3rd year in a row, these students are truly talented.The USF Jazztet is a multi-dimensional jazz ensemble featuring the talented students and faculty of the acclaimed University of South Florida Jazz Music program. This group has performed at many of the world’s most prestigious jazz festivals over the past 25 years, thrilling fans with their exciting performances. This group presents a variety of musical styles from New Orleans parade music to sophisticated modern jazz selections. A variety of instrumental combinations are featured as part of the concert experience including the Bone Band – 5 trombones with rhythm section! The USF Jazztet is led by USF Faculty saxophonist Jack Wilkins and trombonist Tom Brantley, both well known recording artists, performers, and educators.

Please contact The Cinnamon Club for tickets on 0161 926 8992 or email abi@thecinnamonclub.net

Jack Wilkins: saxophone-Director
Tom Brantley: trombone-Director
Jon Cestero: saxophone
Justin Pierce: trombone
Buggy Bowden: trombone
Patrick Hildebran: trombone
Isaac Marren: bass trombone
Andrew Allen: piano
Ermesc Gonzalez: guitar
Alejandro Arenas: bass
Dave Rudolph: drums

July Jazz in Wilmslow

Greg Abate July 11

From Graham Brook - July listings for jazz in Wilmslow

July 4th:- ROD MASON (reeds) with the TOM KINCAID trio
July 11th:- GREG ABATE and ALAN BARNES (both alto sax) with the ANDRZEJ BARANEK trio
July 18th:- "SPIRIT OF SHEARING" (Trefor Owen, Andy Hulme, Liam Byrne and Ed Harrison)
July 20th:- "TALINKA" (Gilad and Tali Atzmon, Yaron Stavi and Jenny Bliss Bennett)
July 25th:- THE LUCY- MAE and LUC BAND with ROD MASON
August 1st:- JOHN HALLAM (reeds) and TERRY BRUNT (trombone) with the TOM KINCAID trio.

"Tuesday Jazz and Swing" every Tuesday night (and the third Thursday) upstairs at Wilmslow Conservative Club, 15, Grove Avenue, Wilmslow, SK9 5EG at 8.30pm. £7 on door. Details (01625) 528336

Wigan International Jazz Festival 6th-9th July

Wigan International Jazz Festival starts 6th July. Big names featured this year are R and B Orchestra of Jools Holland, saxman Branford Marsalis with voclaist Kurt Elling, the Ambrose Akinmusire Quartet and Reunion Dreamband conducted by Johnb LaBarbera. Also featured in the jazz lounge - Dave Newton's Trio, Nag Champa, Remi Harris Trio, The Wardrobe Quintet and more.

More information https://www.wiganjazzclub.co.uk/WIJF.htm
Tickets online https://justaddtickets.co.uk/?s=Wigan+Jazz+Festival
Ticket office boxoffice.wltc.org or from 01942 828508 (Mon-Fri only).

Address
Robin Park Sports Centre
Loire Drive
New Town
Wigan
WN50UH

Emma Holcroft swings into Southport

Emma Holcroft is known for her work with big bands including Andy Prior’s Night Owls and her own dynamic Swingtime Big Band.

She has headlined at both Wigan international Jazz festival and Southport’s own Jazz on a Winter’s Weekend festival where she had the pleasure to sing alongside BBC’s Clare Teal. This time Emma will be performing with her quartet, featuring songs from Ella Fitzgerald and more

www.theatkinson.co.uk or call 01704 533 333.

Thursday 27 July 2017
Southport Jazz Club presents Jazz Cafe
Emma Holcroft & Band
8:00 pm

The Atkinson – Bakery
Lord Street,
Southport,
PR8 1DB
£8 (food available) plus booking fee.



.

Darlington Jazz Club Summer Special featuring Dennis Rollins

After playing to a sell-out crowd at this year's Darlington Jazz Festival the Durham Alumni Big Band  Big Band are back in town for a Summer Gala Concert with an evening of swinging big band music from the 1950s to the present day.

Durham Alumni Big Band are performing at Hummersknott Academy, Edinburgh Drive, Darlington on 2nd July with internationally renowned trombonist Dennis Rollins, supported by the Vocal Collective.

Dennis is well known on the British and international jazz scene and is celebrated for his versatility and muscular approach to playing the trombone.

Born in 1964 in Birmingham and raised in South Yorkshire, Dennis cut his teeth at the age of 14 studying and performing in The Doncaster Youth Jazz Association. After years of study, Dennis moved to London and played with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and the legendary all-black jazz big band The Jazz Warriors.

Over the years he has established a reputation as an artist of excellence, and has lent his unique and stylish talents to some of this country's and indeed the world's top jazz and pop personalities including Courtney Pine, Baba Maal, Jamiroquai, US3, Brand New Heavies, and Blur and until recently, was a member of the legendary funk-meister Maceo Parker's band.

In 2006 his own jazz/funk outfit Badbone & Co won the prestigious BBC Jazz Award for Best
Band and the following year he picked up Trombonist of the Year at both the British
Jazz Awards and the Ronnie Scott's Jazz Awards.

Dennis was nominated twice in the 2008 Parliamentary Jazz Awards - for Jazz Musician of the Year and the Jazz Education Award; he won the latter in a ceremony hosted by Paul Gambaccini at the House of Commons, London.

His latest band Velocity Trio won Band Of The Year (2012) in the Jazz Yorkshire Awards and he was named Player of The Year by the British Trombone Society in 2013.

The Durham Alumni Big Band is composed of past and present members of the Durham County Youth Big Band. Formers winners of the Great North Big Band Festival they are guaranteed to put on a show.

Venue: Hummersknott Academy, Edinburgh Drive, Darlington 
Date Sun 2 July 

Doors open at 17:45, with the performance commencing at 18:30. Tickets are £6 on the door.

Email: darlingtonjazzclub@live.co.uk

Paul Kilvington and Graham Clark at Huddersfield Jazz 23 July

Paul Kilvington: keyboard
Graham Clark: violin

Paul Kilvington has been involved in the music industry for the past 25 years. During this time he has toured worldwide and has performed with many artists. He is equally capable in soul, jazz, or pop music - as demonstrated by the dazzling array of television shows he has appeared on. On a jazz level, he has performed with Bob Mintzer from the Yellowjackets and Branford Marsalis. He also performed with Jack Jones on his last two UK tours, when he played at the London Palladium. He also formed the latin jazz ensemble Amazonia to perform his own compositions and has played in all the major jazz festivals with them: their first CD is soon to be released. He has won many awards and prizes, including three from Leeds Jazz College from where he graduated.

Graham Clark has been working as a violinist since 1982. He plays mainly the usual canon of standards. Ballads like "Body and Soul” and "My One and Only Love”, medium swingers, such as "All the Things You Are". Other tunes might include "Have you met Miss Jones?”, or post-bop classics like “Joyspring”, or perhaps some Charlie Parker tunes - not often heard on violin.

Paul and Graham have been performing together for the last 10 years. Their repertoire focuses on a unique interpretation of carefully chosen jazz and latin material featuring compositions by such artists as Chick Corea, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Kenny Wheeler and Egberto Gismonti. There’s always a wonderful and exciting interplay between the two of them, and there will be
fireworks when they get stuck in to the livelier tunes!

Sunday 23 July 2017 at 2pm
Cafe Society
Byram Street
Huddersfield
www.huddersfield-jazz.co.uk
Tickets: £10 (£5 students) available from:-
Huddersfield Jazz Website (www.huddersfield-jazz.co.uk/buytickets/)

Chris Barber still blowing strong after 68 years

Jazz icon Chris Barber and his Big Band returns to Doncaster’s Cast Theatre on Friday 30 June at 7.30pm, with favourites like "Bourbon Street Parade", "Jubilee Stomp", "Petite Fleur", “Ice Cream”, "When the Saints Go Marching In" and many more.

Chris Barber OBE this year celebrates his 63rd year as leader of his band on a full-time professional basis. In fact, his career began even earlier - in 1949 – when he started his first amateur band which included Alexis Korner on guitar. In their respective ways, they have gone on to become major figures in bringing blues and gospel music to audiences of the UK and Europe.

The Chris Barber Jazz Band of 1953 was a six piece line up. These days - known as The Big Chris Barber Band - it is ten in number. Chris’ explanation for that is ‘Throughout the years we have always enjoyed playing the music of Duke Ellington. From time to time we have brought to Europe the artistes we admire and who would enable us to perform larger arrangements than could be achieved by a six-piece band.’.

The Chris Barber Big Band, inspired by great Ken Colyer Jazz Men, features everything from New Orleans to blues to late 20's Ellington, played with extraordinary panache and skill.

Featuring in the band is Bob Hunt – a student of Duke Ellington’s music and arranger of The ‘Duke’s’ music and the proud owner of a trombone once the property of Ellington trombonist ‘Tricky’ Sam Nanton! As Chris adds, ‘So we can all play those Ellington arrangements whenever we (or the audience) feel like it!’.

The concert at Cast includes Chris’ favourites like "Bourbon Street Parade", "Jubilee Stomp", "Petite Fleur", “Ice Cream”, "When the Saints Go Marching In" and many more.

Tickets for Chris Barber Big Band at Cast on Friday 30 June at 7.30pm are £20 are available at castindoncaster.com and on 01302 303 959.

Kamasi Washington and Robert Glasper in Leeds

 Kamasi Washington 1 July

 Robert Glasper Experiment  3 July

Kamasi Washington

Kamasi Washington is an American saxophonist with phenomenal talent. In 1999 he won the John Coltrane Music Competition, launching his career. He's played in bands for a huge range of musicians including Herbie Hancock, Lauryn Hill, Chaka Khan, Flying Lotus, and was credited for saxaphone on Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly album. His solo debut was critically acclaimed and he's well on the way to creating more material for his fans. Get ready for an amazing night with a rare talent.

1 Jul 2017 7pm - 11pm
O2 Academy 55 Cookridge Street, Leeds, LS2 3AW
£25 + booking fee

Robert Glasper Experiment 

With last year’s Covered, free-thinking idiom-bender Robert Glasper imaginatively used a classic acoustic-trio jazz lineup to rework pop-structured songs. ArtScience reassembles his vocoder-dominated Experiment quartet, but this time with all the members joining the electronically massaged vocals in a recalibration of the group’s balance of pop, dance and jazz methods. The fast jazz swing, skidding avant-bop sax and acoustic walking bass of the opener immediately flags that up, before electronically warped crowd sounds and a hard-struck hip-hop groove intervene. Anthemic pop-hooked songs, such as saxist Casey Benjamin’s Day to Day, nonetheless hide sly jazz nuances in the pianist’s casual fills and drummer Mark Colenburg’s eerily impassive snare hits. A cover of Human League’s Human gracefully develops the pop ballad theme as a seductive accumulation of whistling synth sounds and intensifying hip-hop patterns before Benjamin’s soulfully beboppish acoustic-sax finale. Glasper has signalled an impatience with jazz on earlier Experiment ventures, but very definitely not on this one.

3 July @ Belgrave Music Hall 1-1A Cross Belgrave St, Leeds LS2 8JP 8pm doors
£25.00 + booking fee

Website tickets http://superfriendz.com/

Tim Garland Electric Quartet @Harrogate Festival

Tim Garland | saxophones
Jason Rebello | keyboards
Ant Law | acoustic and electric guitars
Asaf Sirkis | drums

Garland speaks out about the band "formerly an acoustic quartet, we were all brought up listening to electric music too, so we made that switch to include a greater variety of sounds, but some of the folkiness of the earlier band still continues."

The gig will include Bright New Year, Foretold and The Eternal Greeting from the award winning CD One.

When talking about this set Garland comments "the other huge point about this set is its eclecticism; it has often been said that music has the power to unite, and that is very much the message here, jazz is the most generous of music forms."

Harrogate International Festival 

Sunday 2 July | 7.30pm | Crown Hotel, Harrogate North Yorkshire

Tickets £21 (Unreserved Cabaret Style) + booking fee

Bookings http://harrogateinternationalfestivals.com

Cleethorpes Jazz Festival announced 23-25 June

Denys Baptiste Fri 23rd

Cleethorpes Jazz Festival this year is being produced by Charlotte Bowen from The Culture House for the first time. An exciting and varied programme takes place from 23 – 25 June at Cleethorpes "Beachcomber". Fringe performances will also take place at various venues over the weekend. Here are the main performances

FRIDAY 23 JUNE 
Pan Jumby
Heads South
Denys Baptiste’s The Late Trane

SATURDAY 24 JUNE 
North East Lincolnshire Jazz Orchestra
The Pat McCarthy Quartet
Jay Phelps Quartet
The Zoe Gilby Quartet
Family Jazz All Stars
The Steve Walker Big Swing Band play Miller to Motown

SUNDAY 25 JUNE
Sam Baker & Friends
Maja Bugge
Firebird Quartet
Zoe Rahman
Georgia Mancio
Alan Barnes and David Newton

Tickets http://www.wegottickets.com/f/10975 or phone 01472 812666

Venue - Beachcomber Entertainment Centre-  208 North Sea Ln, Humberston, Cleethorpes DN36 4EP. On-site accommodation is available at the Beachcomber (ask for details on booking tickets) with plenty of further choice throughout the resort. Festival is supported by Arts Council England and Jazz North

Sam Watts returns to Heart

From Lesley Jeffries

Sam Watts Sextet play original music from his CD ‘Mime Music’ and an original live score to accompany a showing of Charlie Chaplin's 1921 film "The Kid" composed by Sam especially for this concert. You are NOT going to want to miss this gig! The line up is:
Sam Watts (Piano)
Matthew Herd (Woodwinds)
Lucia Capellaro (Cello)
Thomas Seminar Ford (Guitar)
Flo Moore (Bass)
Ben Brown (Drums)

Royal Academy of Music graduate and 2012 Humphrey Lyttleton Prize winner Sam Watts is a pianist and composer originally from Birmingham. He is active on the London jazz scene and has performed at Ronnie Scott’s, Wigmore Hall, the 606 Club and Royal Albert Hall among many other venues. Recently he has returned from a tour of Spain with Brazilian singer Luna Cohen for the launch of her album “November Sky”, as well as giving performances in South Africa and Portugal. In 2014 he received the “Emerging Excellence” award from Help Musicians UK and recorded the album “Mime Music” in 2015.

FRIDAY 30th June 2017 8 p.m. (doors 7.30) Heart Jazz at Bennett Road in Headingley Leeds

Tired of politics? Seven jazz has the perfect answer!

 Where all the June Jazz bugs go!

This coming Sunday afternoon at Inkwell 11 June 1.30pm we have our Jazz Jam session – the ace Mr George McDonald will be our pianist and Steve "Chief" Hanley on drums – come and sing play, watch the fun or maybe just avoid the Leeds Triathlon. £7/5 (concessions includes performers, kids under 16 free) .

The wonderful vocals and bass playing of Nicola Farnon is our main evening presentation at Seven Arts Leeds on Thursday evening 15 June 8pm along with top UK pianist Dave Newton, swinging drummer Steve Brown and the groovy Tony Ormesher on guitar. Nicola Farnon is widely recognised as one of the classiest jazz and swing musicians in the UK. She has a remarkable musical pedigree, both parents being professional classical musicians and her great uncle no less than the late Robert Farnon. She has also played with such Jazz luminaries as Digby Fairweather, Jim Mullen, Bruce Adams, Roy Williams and Alan Barnes and alongside class jazz acts as diverse as Eliane Elias, Courtney Pine, Georgie Fame,Tony Kofi, Michael Garrick Jazz Britannia Orchestra Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine, Humphrey Lyttleton and Acker Bilk. Nicola’s new CD "So Farnon So Good" features her on double bass and vocals with some legends of the UK jazz scene. You can hear this music at Seven Arts. The bands' arrangements are all done by Nicola - with some melodic and extremely catchy originals thrown in for good measure.

The support is pretty great too - "Inside Out" - Kathy Dyson guitar and John Dyson on sax 8-8.30pm. A fantastic evening of fun and entertainment in store- don't miss it ! (£16/14 concessions, NUS £5)

The following week Sunday afternoon 18 June we have Colin Byrne with the Leeds Jazz Orchestra 1.30pm @Seven Arts.£10/8 concessions NUS £5 kids under 16 free).  Leeds Jazz Orchestra is dedicated to the rehearsal and performance of Big Band Jazz under Musical Director, Colin Byrne. They delight in an eclectic mix of repertoire from Bebop, Blues and Ballads through to cutting-edge modern Jazz Orchestra numbers. Classic big band arrangements from Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus sit alongside numbers written specifically for the band by up-and-coming new composers.– we’ll be collecting for the Jo Cox community fund

To finish off the month  on Sunday afternoon 25 June it is saxman Richard Ormrod leading the Dales Jam Community Big band into Seven Arts 1.30pm. (£10/8 concessions NUS £5 kids under 16 free) Dales Jam was formed in 2003 in Skipton by a group of people of all ages and musical abilities, who wanted a time and a place to meet up and play music. Since then, under the guidance of jazz saxman Richard Ormrod the band has grown in numbers. They play world music based including African, Klezmer, Cuban, Asian together with Stevie Wonder, John Mclaughlin and John Coltrane. They recently performed a concert comprising interpretations/arrangements of the work of Bradford composer Frederick Delius.

Don't miss a thing! Tickets are available on the door or in advance online here:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/sevenjazzleeds  

Relax at Rush Hour Jazz.. 
Get out of the car and into the Seven Arts bar for this months rush hour jazz at Seven Arts - Wed 21st June 6-7pm with alto/baritone saxman Jack Chandler and the Seven Jazz trio  Payf collection

Dig The Divas!.... 
For our July Jazz Diva at Inkwell we welcome our god friend (and choir member) Jenny Hammond with the Seven Jazz trio feat Brendan Duffy 1.30-3.30pm in the Inkwell Cafe Saturday 1 July. Payf

Venues and information
Seven Artspace: 31 Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 3PD
Inkwell Arts: 31 Potternewton Lane, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 3LW (the former Shoulder of Mutton pub)
Website www.sevenjazz.co.uk  with links to Seven Jazz Facebook and Twitter sites

Jazz on a Summers Day in Chapel Allerton

Chapel Allerton in Leeds is quite a hotspot for jazz . The latest thing for the Leeds suburb is that the Chapel Allerton Club on Town Street are putting on a jazz on a summers day (let's hope it is a nice summers day!) this Saturday 10 June. Acts include singers Nicki Allen, Ros Lewis and Marlena Rose and their bands. Brendan Duffy will be there too!

Free - 1pm start

Jazz Promotion Network conference rolls into Leeds

From Amy Pearce at JPN

This year's Jazz Promotion Network conference will be held at Leeds College of Music on Monday and Tuesday 26-27 June. The theme will be #Jazz100 - Launching the future of British and Irish Jazz

The main discussions will take place in groups. These will focus on key issues for the ambition of the jazz sector and its relation to the arts, and world, at large. The groups will be led by experienced facilitators with guest contributors to initiate the conversation. These aren’t panel sessions – they are group debates where we want to hear from you.

To give you a taste, some of the confirmed session titles include:
• What does a future jazz workforce look like?
• Jazz representation – gender and cultural diversity
• Granting a grant – what are funders looking for?
• The impact of streaming and the digital age
• How to put jazz at the centre of major cultural events?

Each session will have a facilitator and several have a guest with particular interest or experience in that area.

Facilitators confirmed so far include:
• Tina Edwards - Jazz Standard
• Kevin Le Gendre - Broadcaster and Journalist
• Clare Hewitt - Creative Scotland
• Vanessa Reed - Chief Executive of PRS for Music Foundation
• Ros Rigby - Chair of Europe Jazz Network
• Tony Whyton - Professor of Jazz Studies at Birmingham City University

Timings: The conference will begin at 1200 on Mon 26 June and finish at 1700 on Tues 27 June and is held at Leeds College of Music. The formal AGM will be for an hour on Tuesday afternoon and there will be live music at The Wardrobe on Monday evening.

In addition to these sessions there will be
• Live music – including a series of Showcase Slots
• Interest group meetings – for those working in the same area of jazz
• A pitches and snapshots session – where we would like to hear new ideas and examples of exciting current initiatives
• JPN’s Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Live music includes a five band showcase at the Wardrobe on the Monday night with Ubunye, Archipelago and ElecTrio from UK and Eric Vloiemans and Even Sanne from Holland (possibly a jam session too!). Meanwhile down the road at the Wharf Street Cafe on Monday Cath Roberts and Sloth Racket will be strutting their stuff that evening at Leeds' hippest jazz co-op club Sproggits.

More information and booking here - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jazz-promotion-network-2017-conference-and-annual-general-meeting-tickets-33337896546

New Ambleside Festival in honour of John Taylor

Dave Holland Sun 3 Sept

The brand new Ambleside Festival will feature Dave Holland, Norma Winstone, Tim Garland, James Maddran, Asaf Sirkus, John Halliwell, Gwilym Simcock,  Mike Walker, Nikki Iles, Mark Lockheart, Steve Watts, James Maddren, Asaf Sirkis, John Helliwell, Steve Watts, Darrell Hall and Joe Locke – all  musicians inspired by  the great British pianist John Taylor.

The concerts will take place over 4 days in the cinema at Zeffirelli’s August 31st – September 3rd 2017

Derek Hook has been running music concerts in Ambleside for many years and it was on his piano that John Taylor composed his famous suite “Ambleside Days”.

‘Ambleside Days’ was a special commission by Zeffirellis in collaboration with Northern Arts
featuring the late, great John Taylor, one of the worlds most gifted jazz pianists.

What makes this festival unique will be the collaborative interaction between these world class performers. There will be fluid movement of the musicians into different and exciting new groupings: duo’s, trios, septets etc.

Each evening there will be two major performances in the auditorium and also in the Jazz Bar.

Tickets are £30.00 per evening in the auditorium to include both performances. Please click here to book tickets online You can book your tickets now on the Ambleside Days website.http://www.amblesidedays.co.uk/book-tickets-2/

There is also a 4 day ticket costing £100.00.  To book the 4 day ticket call Zeffirellis, direct, on 015394 33845.

Jazz at the Head of Steam Huddersfield

Kate Peters June 28th

From Paul Smith

Wednesday at the Head of Steam Huddersfield

St George’s Square, HD1 1JB

Show Time 8.30pm


June 14th - Frank Brooker (sax), Derrick Harris (guitar)

June 21st - Lee Hallam (trombone), Brian Archer (trombone)

June 28th - Jon Taylor (sax), with special guest jazz singing diva  Kate Peters

Huddersfield Jazz June date with Loretta Scott

Loretta Scott’s jazz history spans almost thirty years earning her plaudits from well known greats, including such names as Don Weller, Digby Fairweather, Alan Barnes and the late Dick Morrisey.  Her heartfelt interpretations of ‘The Great American Songbook’ have been a source of continual delight to audiences both here in the United Kingdom and in the wider world.
Loretta has appeared at many jazz festivals throughout Britain over the years, including Llangollen, Sheffield, Keswick, Buxton, Marsden and ourselves here at Huddersfield Jazz.
Huddersfield Jazz looks forward to welcoming Loretta to Café Society for the first of its special Sunday events for 2017.
Line Up:

LORETTA SCOTT – Vocals
CHRIS LLOYD – Keyboard
DAVE LEE – Drums
DAVE TURNER – Bass

Sunday 18th June 2017 - 2pm - 4pm LIVE at Café Society
£10 Adults / £5 Students
Click on the link below to buy tickets
or visit huddersfield-jazz.co.uk for more information.

Venue: Café Society, Huddersfield
15 Byram St, Huddersfield HD1 1DR
Price: £10.00