Wednesday 16th May

Tribute to Tom Harrell

Robbie Robson – Trumpet
John Turville – Piano
Ryan Trebilcock – Double Bass
Nick Smalley – Drums
Tribute to Award Winning and prolific Trumpeter, arranger and composer Tom Harrell. He has arranged for Vince Guaraldi's work on Peanuts, Carlos Santana, Arturo O'Farrill's Latin Jazz Orchestra, the Metropole Orchestra, the Danish Radio Big Band, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and Elisabeth Kontomanou with the Orchestre National de Lorraine, among others. His compositions have been recorded by other notable jazz artists including Ron Carter, Joe Lovano, Kenny Barron, Art Farmer, Chris Potter, Tom Scott, Steve Kuhn, Kenny Werner and Hank Jones.
 
Wednesday 23rd May (Double bill)

Kjaer/Musson duo is formed by alto saxophonist Julie Kjaer and tenor saxophonist Rachel Musson. Their improvisations weave together melodic fragments and explore the sonic possibilities of the saxophone. "Kjær’s playing reached Braxton-esque levels of surreal linguistic expression. This was a synthesis of dark Scandinavian folk with the Art Ensemble of Chicago." Joseph Kassman-Todd, Jazzwise ‘Musson’s unusual blend of a melody-building lightness with a raw, free-jazzy multiphonic palette…ought to make her a hot ticket.’ John Fordham, The Guardian

Loz Speyer’s INNER SPACE MUSIC

Loz Speyer trumpet / flugelhorn Chris Biscoe - alto sax / alto clarinet Rachel Musson - tenor / soprano sax Olie Brice - double bass Simon Roth - drums
“Wonderfully vigorous, sprightly music, packed with unexpected felicities of texture and timbre, and infused with bustling, fiercely interactive energy. Recommended.” - Chris Parker www.vortexjazz.co.uk
 
Inner Space Music follows in the tradition of Charles Mingus, Ornette Colman and Steve Lacy - and takes improvisational music into new and different territory. Compositions such as Rocket Science and From A to B to Infinity explore the boundaries between structure and freedom, between fast time, slow time and no time... and the five musical sketches Bird, Tiger, Deer, Bear and Monkey, centrepiece of the album Five Animal Dances, attempt to translate into sound the essential vitality and playfulness of the Five Animals Qigong practise, originally designed by Taoist masters as a way of energy cultivation and training in body, mind and spirit. "Serious fun of the first order." Metro
www.lozspeyer.com
 
Wednesday 30th May

Ryan Williams Flashmob

Ryan Williams – Guitar
Rory Simmons – Trumpet
Ryan Trebilcock – Double Bass
Nick Smalley - Drums
Formed in 2007 by guitarist Ryan Williams, Flashmob draw on a wide range of influences exploring long forms, grooves and free elements. Flashmob’s debut album, ‘Generals’ was released on the F-IRE label in September 2011, this was followed up by an extensive Jazz Services supported UK tour which included a performance at last year’s London Jazz Festival
The Guardian’s John Fordham made Flashmob his ones to watch for 2012 saying that the band’s “current F-IRE label debut should widen the audience for its mix of lyrical jazz and taut contemporary rhythms.” "Contemporary jazz.......with some modal psychedelia and country thrown into the mix." Jazzwise

Wednesday 6th June

Jam Session hosted by Jez Franks

Jam session hosted by our fantastic Guitarist. Only £3 entry for participants. All levels welcome.  


Wednesday 13th June

Bill Mudge Organ Trio

Bill Mudge – Hammond Organ
Kevin Glasgow – Bass Guitar
Nick Smalley – Drums Its an incredibly relaxing, peaceful experience in places, but then certain dissonances and abrasions make for an exciting listen throughout.  I received the album and put it through my speakers and haven’t stopped listening to it since!
British Jazz Blog

  
Wednesday 20th June

Nick Tomalin Trio with special guest Gareth Lochrane

Nick Tomalin (piano) Dominic Howles (bass) Matt Fishwick (drums) + Gareth Lochrane (flutes) The trio is mainly a vehicle for Nick’s original compositions, although they also play some unusual covers taken from rock and pop repertoire. The music draws on many influences including Keith Jarrett, Andrew Hill and John Taylor. Expect melodic themes fused with contemporary grooves and free jazz.
“the formidable Lockrane...a stunning display of sharp-accented runs, earthy whoops and constantly refreshed melodic ideas.” John Fordham The Guardian http://www.nicktomalin.co.uk
 
 
Wednesday 27th June

Robbie Robson Quintet

Robbie Robson – Trumpet
Josephine Davies – Tenor Sax
Ryan Trebilcock – Double Bass
Paul Clarvis – Drums
John Turville - Piano
Robbie studied Jazz at Leeds College of Music where he was awarded the John Coates Prize for Outstanding Musicianship, then moved to London to do his Postgraduate Diploma at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He was a national finalist in the Young Jazz Musician of the Year 1999, and the runner up in the Perrier Young Jazz Musician 2000.
Since then he has been active on the London Jazz scene, participating in a very wide and varied spectrum of jazz projects. He is a member of the London Jazz Orchestra, the Gareth Lockrane Big Band and the Frank Griffith Nonet, for which he also writes and performs his own compositions. This exciting new line-up features the fantastic drummer Paul Clarvis.