Friday, 19th September 2008

Steve Fishwick/Osian Roberts Quintet

Doors open 7.30pm
Music starts 8.00pm Tickets £12

Steve Fishwick (trumpet), Osian Roberts (tenor saxophone), Olivia Slama (piano), Dave Chamberlain (double bass), Matt Home (drums)

A great start to the Autumn season at the Club with this hard swinging band rooted in the tradition of the famous jazz groups of the 1950's and 60's, playing a selection of standards and original material.

Steve Fishwick, his brother Matt, and Osian Roberts have been friends since 1994, when they met on the jazz course at The Royal Academy Of Music in London. Since then, the three have worked and rehearsed together on a regular basis in their own groups, as well as in the ranks of other bands (Mike Carr's Blue Note Quartet; The Matt Wates Sextet etc.). In 2001 they met a group of French musicians living in London who shared the same taste in music, and began to congregate weekly for an informal jam session, playing arrangements from their favourite records. Eventually, the group started to perform regularly on the London jazz scene (at the 606 Club, the 100 Club, and the Queen Elizabeth Hall etc.). The line-up has changed since those early days - the only remaining Frenchman being the pianist Olivier Slama, who is joined in the rhythm section by bass virtuoso Dave Chamberlain. In 2003, they recorded their first album on the Hard Bop Records label - "Too Much!"(HBR33001) - at Richard Dunn's studio in Cardiff. Since then they've been touring (with support from Jazz Services) and performing regularly across the UK, as far a field as St.Ives, Lincoln, Southend and Cardiff, as well as making festival appearances in Brecon, Scarborough and Swanage. Their latest album - On The Up And Up (HBR33003) - features the original compositions of Steve and Osian, and some unique arrangements of more familiar material. The album also introduces the talents of the band's newest member, drummer Matt Home, who's been performing live with the band since Matt Fishwick moved to New York (although Matt Fishwick is still very much a member of the group, and also features prominently on the new album). Their third album (recorded in January 2007 at Nola Studios in New York) features two very special guests - Jazz Legend Cedar Walton and the great Peter Washington - and is due for release this summer.

" Steve Fishwick is one of the finest trumpeters to ever emerge onto the UK jazz scene" - Tony Hall, Jazzwise.

" a superb quintet in the tradition of the great hard bop bands of the 1950's & 60's" - JazzUK

Friday, 10th October 2008

Bob Martin Quartet

Doors open 7.30pm
Music starts 8.000pm Tickets £12

Bob Martin (alto saxophone), Leon Greening (piano), Julian Bury(double bass), Steve Brown (drums)

Bob Martin is widely regarded as one of the finest alto saxophonists in the world today. Bob, who hails from Atlantic City, USA studied at Berklee College before going on the road as one of the featured saxophonists in the great Buddy Rich Big Band, with whom he toured and recorded extensively. After leaving Buddy Rich, he worked with various groups and also formed his own quartet. appearing at many of the famous jazz clubs throughout the USA. Bob decided to move to the UK and took up residence in London in 1998 and quickly established himself here as featured soloist in many bands, such as Frank Griffith Nonet and Gordon Wellard's Sextet as well as guesting in many of the Big Bands around. Bob Martin is a wonderfully fluent and inventive alto sax player in the classic hard bop style with superb technique and control of the instrument. He has been compared to some of the 'greats' such as Sonny Stitt and Richie Cole but has developed his own unique sound and style. Bob has released a number of CD's as solo artist- in 2004 he recorded in New York with his American band. For this evening's performance, Bob is joined by one of the most dynamic pianists on the scene- Leon Greening, who is now one of the most in-demand musicians around. Completing the rhythm section are Julian Bury (double bass) and Steve Brown (drums) who are two of the best around. If you enjoy your jazz 'hot' then this will be the place to be on the 10th October.

"One of the most impressive players in Europe". - Steve Rubie, 606 Club.

"The alto sax firebrand from Atlantic City". - Jack Massarik, Evening Standard.

Friday, 14th November 2008

Greg Abate with the Tim Lapthorn Trio

Doors open 7.30pm
Music starts 8.00pm Tickets £12

Greg Abate (saxophones), Tim Lapthorn (piano), Arnie Somogyi (double bass), Steve Keogh (drums)

Top USA alto and tenor saxophonist Greg Abate makes his eagerly awaited return visit to the Club with the superb Tim Lapthorn and his trio.

Greg Abate has been on the USA jazz scene since the mid 70's when, after finishing 4 years at Berklee College of Music, he joined Ray Charles' Orchestra as lead alto for 2 years. In 1978, he formed his first quartet in New England and then had a spell in the revived Artie Shaw Band. Greg recorded his first CD live at Birdland, New York with James Williams, Rufus Reid and Kenny Washington- a fabulous band. Up to the present date , Greg has recorded 12 CD's and was nominated for a Grammy for his 2004 recording 'Evolution'. As well as performing, Greg is very active as a teacher, being associate professor of Jazz studies at Rhode Island College and conducts masterclasses on a regular basis. Greg's repertoire encompasses all the great jazz standards, bebop and a number of his own original compositions.

Tim Lapthorn is without doubt one of the very best young pianists to emerge on to the british jazz scene over the past few years. He completed his musical education at the Guildhall School of Music in 2000 and since this time has been first call for many bands and has led his own trio for a number of years. The band is completed by Tim's regular bass and drums from his own trio, two superb musicians- Arnie Somogyi (double bass) and Steve Keogh (drums). Tim has recorded three trio CD's, with his latest 'Seventh Sense' just released to excellent reviews.

"Greg Abate is considered by jazz writers and afficianados to be one of the most exciting saxophone players out there" . Washington Post

"Greg Abate is an absolute powerhouse who will not let hard driving bebop die. One of the most exciting players around today, his commitment to the music is total ". The Jazz Messenger.

Sunday, 14th December 2008

OUR CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Anita Wardell Quintet

Doors open 7.30pm
Music starts 8.00pm Tickets £15

Anita Wardell (vocals), Alex Garnett (saxophone), Robin Aspland (piano), Jeremy Brown (double bass), Steve Brown (drums)

The fabulous Anita Wardell makes her first visit to the club with her all-star band, featuring top saxophonist Alex Garnett. Tickets for this concert will be available from October by e-mail/ telephone or at the concerts - book early to avoid disappointment.

Born in Guildford, UK, Anita moved to Australia with her family as a child. Enraptured by movie musicals on TV, she soaked up the Rodgers and Hammerstein and Cole Porter classics. She also explored her father's collection of big band albums by Duke Ellington, Count Basie and many more. During her teens, she started to get to grips with the complexities of modern Jazz when she discovered Clifford Brown, Cannonball Adderley, Miles Davis and Charlie Parker. At the same time she learned her vocal craft from greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Mark Murphy, Carmen McRae, Betty Carter, Jon Hendricks and Eddie Jefferson.
Anita's recording career began in 1995 with her CD, Why do you Cry? Featuring pianist Liam Noble. Vocal bebop pioneer Mark Murphy proclaimed Anita, "a gift from Australia", adding "what hits me is how expressive her ballad singing is. Then she has the courage to scat a ballad or two, not unlike a young lady disciple of the Ben Webster school." Singer Norma Winstone praised her "unexpected vulnerability, which makes her reading of the ballads both beautiful and touching. Her honesty shines in this well-chosen collection of songs.

In 1998 she released Straight Ahead with international star pianist Jason Rebello. Japan's most popular jazz publication, Swing Journal, gave its endorsement, writing, "she's the real thing who can fluently scat and vocalese!" Her longstanding musical relationship with pianist Robin Aspland started with the release of "Until the stars fade" in 2001 also featuring the exciting US drummer Gene Calderazzo and Jeremy Brown on bass. At this point Jazzwise Magazine called her "energetic and inventive" while The Guardian proclaimed her "a model of the Jazz singer's art, highlighting her clarity, improvisational skills and emotional resonance. In 2004 she teamed up with Tenor Saxophonist Benn Clatworthy and recorded If You Never Come to Me. The recent signing to Specific Jazz (a division of Proper Records) and the winning of the prestigious BBC Jazz Award for Best of Jazz 2006 are now propelling Anita into the major artist arena. Noted, her first release for the new label (released in July 2006), is a collection of well known material from the Blue Note era to which Anita has penned many of her own lyrics. It received much radio play and 4 and 5 star reviews from UK and European jazz publications". 2008 sees the release of her new album "Kinda Blue" featuring Robin Aspland - Piano, Jeremy Brown - Bass, Steve Brown - Drums, Tristan Mailliot - Drums and special guests. This year Anita will be touring extensively throughout the UK and worldwide.

Tickets for this concert will be available from October by e-mail/ telephone or at the concerts - book early to avoid disappointment.

"Anita Wardell is currently one of the most exciting and original exponents of the art of vocal improvisation" - Martin Lilliker, Sheffield Telegraph

"For many, the most creative jazz singer currently operating in London " - Jack Massarik, Evening Standard.

"World-class vocalist with the ability to delve deep into the meanings of the lyrics of the great jazz songbooks, and then to improvise over them with fluency, fluidity and a horn-like intonation, accompanied by the piano artistry of Robin Aspland."