Fergus McCreadie Trio live performance - it's happening!

Scottish pianist Fergus McCreadie hasn't played live since the end of February this year because of the lockdown. But we're glad to say he's escaped to England for this one gig and he's appearing in Leeds at Seven Arts on Thursday 29 October - there will be one performance (socially distanced of course) starting at 7pm 

Fergus is a phenomenal young pianist and his trio is one of the most exciting young groups in European jazz at the moment. They were the winner of Album of the Year in the 2019 UK Parliamentary Jazz Awards for their album “Turas”. His new album "Cairn" is available soon and music will be premiered from at the Leeds concert.

Fergus's trio concerts have earned five-star reviews and an invitation to appear at Ronnie Scotts’ International Piano Trio festival. They have also featured at Oslo and Stockholm Jazz Festivals.  Playing music that reflects the Scottish landscape and traditions while honouring the American and Nordic jazz legacies, they brought audiences to their feet across Northern Europe during their Spring ’19 tour. “Simply outstanding” – Jazzwise. “Think Erik Satie running on Islay Malt rather than Absinthe” – The Scotsman, 5* review of Turas.  “real personality … lucidly atmospheric … fire and virtuosity” – The Times 

Fergus McCreadie: piano; David Bowden: bass; Stephen Henderson: drums.

www.fergusmccreadie.co.uk/

Doors 6.30pm, music starts 7-8.30pm

Limited tickets are available here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/jazzleeds/fergus-mccreadie-trio-early-evening-performance/e-gjzvbb

A video of the concert by Jon Chamberlain will be  recorded live and broadcast a few days after the event- tickets (£5) can be purchased on our ticket site for this broadcast also for a private view of this video here https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/jazzleeds/fergus-mccreadie-trio-live-recording/e-rqomrv. 

JazzLeeds @Seven Arts  31 Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, LS73PD

 

Scarborough news - Bob takes over...

  

Bob with Mike and Marion Gordon and Dennis Rollins

Bob Walker writes...

Like many other jazz clubs nationwide Scarborough Jazz have been in hibernation since the lockdown was imposed in March. It's not all been doom and gloom though and has seen a great deal of activity from the committee, particularly Adrian Riley and Rowan Oliver, who have ensured we have a weekly online presence with the SJ Lockdown Jazz Club. We are also very pleased to be able to present The Nigel Price Trio + sax live as part of their national tour. They will be stopping by on Wednesday 2nd. December and we will be releasing the finer details of this gig very soon.
 

 After many years at the helm Mike Gordon is stepping down as Chair of Scarborough Jazz. Mike as been key to everything SJ has done over 36 years and, for that reason, we are delighted that both he, and Marian, will remain active members of the committee. Bob Walker takes over as Chair and is committed to retaining the values that SJ is valued for. Many will know Bob as the house bass player and sound engineer who, along with Mike, was there at the very beginning in the early 80's

 

 

Wakefield Jazz cancel the rest of their autumn programme

From Pete Rosser

We’ve had 4 gigs in October at Wakefield Jazz, with reduced audiences, but have now abandoned the rest of the autumn programme, as it seems likely that West Yorkshire will be in enhanced covid restrictions very soon - it’s all very frustrating. We plan to focus on more local performers (and a tighter budget) once we resume gigs in January (if we’re allowed). There may be a pre-Xmas duo gig on 4th December with Dave Newton/Liz Fletcher - keep an eye on www.wakefieldjazz.org and all the other usual channels for details.

In the meantime, check out this tune from last Friday’s excellent Hans Koller/Martin Speake Quartet gig - an uplifting if bitter-sweet evening.

(Pete Rosser - Promoter, Wakefield Jazz)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LebJjOjIb-s

Freddie Gavita Gig in Sheffield cancelled

From Vince Keddie

I am afraid that, because of Sheffield's imminent move into Tier 3, it has been necessary to cancel the Freddie Gavita gig that was scheduled for tonight Friday 23 October.

We will keep you informed as to the position regarding the remainder of the Sheffield Jazz Autumn season.

Sheffield Jazz  

Alternatives for live music this weekend - tonight is the concert at Wakefield Jazz with Hans Koller's quartet (23 Oct) - 7.30pm start at Wakefield Sports Club, or Sunday's JazzLeeds afternoon gig with New Orleaans and blues pianist Henry Botham - at 1.30pm at Seven Arts (25 Oct)

Hans Koller at Wakefield

 Top class gig this Friday (23 October 7.30-10pm) with Hans Koller (piano) Martin Speake (alsto sax) Calum Gourlay (bass) ad Shane Forbes (drums) 

Hans Koller combines humour, intellect and technique to engaging effect with influences from across the jazz spectrum, from Bill Evans through Monk and Herbie Nichols

Venue: Wakefield Sports Club Eastmoor Road, WF1 3RR
www.wakefieldjazz.org

Two innovative jazz venues get culture recovery funding

                                                    Joy Ellis Trio at the Globe

                                                 Elliot Richards trio at Seven Arts

The future for a unique community-owned music venue in Tyneside is looking more secure in these uncertain times as a result of a grant from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund. The Globe in Newcastle has been awarded £80,000 to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

The £1.57 billion fund has been used to support a wide range of cultural organisations across the country.

Despite strict local regulations The Globe is putting on gigs three nights a week, including jazz, folk and rock, that are simultaneously enjoyed by small audiences in the venue and by hundreds more at home via livestream.

“Hybrid audiences are the way forward for live music” says Dave Parker, co-chair of the cooperative that owns The Globe. “We are demonstrating that a mixed audience of customers at our Covid-aware venue and those at home watching online is actually better than either approach alone. According to our customers, the live audience’s responses in the venue and the live chat from those viewing online actually enhance the overall experience for both.”

The Globe has been developing and improving its livestreaming since May. It has streamed from musicians’ homes during lockdown, then from the empty venue and most recently with an audience in the building. The Globe has been refurbished and redecorated, and new sound, light and video equipment has been installed by a team of volunteers.

“Getting this grant is a huge relief, especially after all the effort so many people have put in to keep The Globe going. When we closed in March we consulted widely with our members and supporters to develop a vision for a post-pandemic future. This formed the basis of our grant application. I specifically want to thank the Music Venues Trust for their lobbying on behalf of grassroots music venues and Co-operatives UK who argued successfully that co-ops should be eligible for the funding.”

Leeds too has had some good news - the main jazz venue, Seven Arts in Leeds has also been awarded funding - £50,000 -from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund. Seven Arts are a Community Interest Company, promoting the arts tirelessly since 2007 in Chapel Allerton to the north of the city centre. Seven have been putting on live music and comedy events since July - both outside in their small courtyard and inside within their concert venue, with social distancing.

Says Steve Crocker from Jazz Leeds : "Really pleased that Seven Arts Leeds has been awarded funding under the Culture Recovery Fund of the Arts Council. Seven Arts is a unique acoustic venue for the arts - especially jazz - and is run by a committed team who have been so impressive at allowing live music to keep going when others have sat on their hands. So it's great news. Times are tough of course and things may change but it's lovely to have some good news at last".

New Jazz Blog hits cyberspace...

Pete Woodman (from Marsden Jazz Festival) has launched a new jazz podcast playing material from my own jazz collection that he's built up over the last 45 years or so. It's going to be going out during the first week of each month and Pete will be paying special attention to artists from the North of the UK, endeavouring to include at least 2 pieces from northern acts in each show. 

These are the links to the podcast website, Spotify and Podbean, who are hosting it.

Website: https://www.emuli.uk/podcast-1

Spotify: link

Podbean: https://emulijazz.podbean.com/

JazzLeeds announces it's autumn 2020 series

JazzLeeds have just announced five stunning evening live concerts this autumn on Thursday nights at Seven Arts. Each will have two performances at 7pm and 8.45pm, with a finish time at 10pm. You can choose whether you want the early evening or late evening performance. Fully distanced and at seat table service.

Thus 29 Oct Fergus Mcreadie Trio 
 Fergus McCreadie: piano; David Bowden: bass; Stephen Henderson: drums. Our first evening concert of the autumn will feature Fergus McCreadie, a phenomenal young pianist and his trio is one of the most exciting young groups in European jazz at the moment. They were the winner of Album of the Year in the 2019 UK Parliamentary Jazz Awards for their album “Turas”.

 

Thus 12 Nov Ian Shaw, Ian Ballamy, Jamie Safir “What’s New”    

One of the world’s finest male jazz vocalists, Ian Shaw, teams up with legendary UK saxophonist, Iain Ballamy (who has played with Hermeto Pascoal, Loose Tubes, Norma Winstone) and irrepressibly brilliant pianist Jamie Safir (Will Young, Elaine Delmar, Judi Jackson). Expect a gloriously lyrical travelogue from early American song through Ellington, Horace Silver and Billy Strayhorn to Joni Mitchell. With Shaw’s comedy chops, Ballamy’s ability to push a melody somewhere magical, and Safir’s symphonic piano playing, there’s plenty to look forward to…

 

Thus 26 Nov Josephine Davis “Satori”  

Josephine Davies – Sax, Oli Hayhurst – Bass, James Maddren – Drums A melodic and intimate gig by this superb trio. Satori is a Coltrane-inspired spiritual jazz trio with a focus on melodic freedom and band interaction led by saxophonist and composer Josephine Davies who won Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year in the 2019 Parliamentary Jazz Awards. Their 2017 debut album attracted wide critical acclaim in the UK and Europe while their 2018 follow up ‘In The Corners Of Clouds’received equally glowing reviews. “irrepressible tunefulness” (Downbeat); “consistently inventive” (Jazzwise); “spiritual, spiralling, slow-burning exuberance” (UK Vibe).

 

Thus 3 Dec Nigel Price and “Wes Reimagined”  

Nigel Price – Guitar, Ross Stanley –  Hammond, Joel Barford – Drums,Vasilis Xenopoulos – Tenor Saxophone. Nigel Price is one of the UK’s leading jazz guitarists and a tireless supporter of live music, so it is with great pleasure that we welcome him back, leading his Organ Trio in an evening of tunes made famous by the legendary guitarist Wes Montgomery. Nigel Price is one of the most hardworking jazz musicians in the UK, managing to secure an Arts Council-funded tour even during lockdown, and guaranteed to provide an evening of foot-tapping straightahead bebop with a funky edge. The Trio’s special guest Vasilis Xenopoulos brings a committed melodic tenor saxophone edge to the band, in the tradition of Dexter Gordon. 

 

Thus 17 Dec Adrian Knowles and Sound of 59  

Joel Purnell Tenor Saxophone, Jim Corry Alto Saxophone, Mark Chandler Trumpet, Kevin Holbrough Trombone, Jason Scott Piano, Adrian Knowles Double Bass, Caroline Boaden Drums A welcome back to this group by bassist Adrian Knowles that were such a hit at last year’s Jazz Leeds Festival. Celebrate International Jazz Day with this pivotal year in jazz history. 1959 was special – it saw the release of classic jazz albums by Charlie Mingus, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, John Coltrane and many others. “Sounds of 59”, led by bassist Adrian Knowles and featuring some of the best of jazz musicians from Leeds, recreate the music with both music and visual displays.

Tickets are available here  https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/jazzleeds 

Our autumn season tickets cost £60 (full price) £50 (concessions) and £30 (25 and under) are available here.All concerts are fully distanced with at table service. https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/jazzleeds/autumn-2020-jazzleeds-season-ticket/e-oypqvl

Due to the current restrictions, audience numbers will be limited.The concerts will be recorded live and broadcast a few days after the event- tickets can be purchased on our ticket site for this broadcast

More information wwwjazzleeds.org.uk 

All concerts are at Seven Arts, 31 Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS73PD