Friday 4 April 2008

Clark Tracey Quartet £14/£12

Clark Tracey Drums
Brandon Allen Saxophones Gareth Williams Piano Arnie Somogyi Bass

Clark Tracey

Clark's new quartet is just one of many projects he is currently running; as ever, he brings together the finest players from the UK, and occasionally further afield. Several bands have releases on his own label, Tentoten Records; there are new CDs from vocalists Sylvia Rae Tracey and Joan Viskant, while Stan Tracey is recording a brand new quartet line-up. Clark has on the horizon a hand-picked sextet of fresh young talent, including Lewis Wright on vibes; his flagship quartet for tonight features a well-seasoned collection, all bandleaders and composers themselves.

Gareth ranks as one of the most dynamic players to have emerged in the 1990s; aside from his own groups, he's toured the world with Us3, Claire Martin and Gwyneth Herbert. Arnie is another virtuoso, whose adventurous ensembles include his quartet Ambulance and his trio LSD, with US drumming legend Billy Drummond and Hungarian saxophonist Tony Lakatos. Brandon hails from Perth, Australia, but has performed around the UK for several years. His powerful and intense style has been heard on film soundtracks such as Alfie (Jude Law version, of course) and with Eric Clapton, Mica Paris and Carleen Anderson; jazz-wise, he's played with just about everybody, including the BBC and Laurence Cottle big bands.

For more information see www.clarktracey.com.

Friday 11 April 2008

Spike Wells Trio £12/£10

Spike Wells Drums Barry Green Piano Chris Laurence Bass

Spike Wells

Long established as one of our finest musicians, Spike has always collected the finest players to form his bands. He himself has gigged with a stunning collection of star names over the years, including Stan Getz, Joe Harriott, Pete King, Roland Kirk and Bobby Wellins. Amazingly, Spike's own first CD as leader has only recently emerged; Reverence features Gwilym Simcock.

Spike now brings us another young piano wonder for this new trio; Barry has produced his own CD as leader and arranger, and it is an indication of his meteoric rise that he called on a strong cast of regular playing partners to contribute, including Ingrid Laubrock, Sebastian Rochford, Martin Speake, Christine Tobin, Anita Wardell and Dave Whitford. Completing this tempting trio is one of the all-time greats; Chris has performed at the highest level in both classical and jazz arenas. The latter includes performing with US legends such as Sarah Vaughan and J.J. Johnson; he is a regular collaborator with John Surman, Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone and Andy Sheppard. His recent CD as leader features Norma, John Parricelli and Frank Ricotti.

For more information see www.jazzcds.co.uk/artist_id_931/cd_id_1187.

Friday 18 April 2008

Jonathan Gee Quartet £12/£10

Jonathan Gee Piano
Tommaso Starace Alto saxophone Joseph Lepore Bass Enzo Zirilli Drums

Jonathan Gee

Long established as one of the most creative musicians of his generation, Jonathan's pianistic skills are often compared favourably to giants such as Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock, and alongside contemporaries Django Bates and Julian Joseph. He is certainly linked with one of the greatest, through the monumental project he has undertaken with Tony Kofi, performing all of Thelonious Monk's compositions, most recently heard in the 2007 London Jazz Festival. He is well connected throughout the European jazz scene, particularly in Scandinavia and Italy, the origin of his new quartet members.

Though a native-born New Yorker, Joseph Lepore grew up in Italy, studying bass at the Conservatory of Salerno and becoming an established player on the jazz scene in Rome; he is now based back in New York. Aside from regular US residencies, he has performed around West Africa as part of a programme for the Lincoln Center.

Enzo Zirilli is an established performer at jazz clubs around Italy and Europe, where he's played with Steve Grossman, James Moody, George Garzone, Randy Brecker, Gary Bartz, Stefano Di Battista and many others.

Milanese saxophonist Tommaso has studied at several renowned establishments, including Berklee and the Guildhall; since settling here, he's played with Jim Mullen, Roger Beaujolais, Phil Lee, Liam Noble, Dave Cliff and Tim Richards. His own groups include a duo which focuses on the classical repertoire of Ravel, Debussy and Piazzolla, and a quintet exploring his interest in photography, producing the multimedia show and CD Tommaso Starace plays the photos of Elliott Erwitt.

For more information see www.jonathangeetrio.co.uk.

Friday 25 April 2008

Christine Tobin Group £14/£12

Christine Tobin Vocals Phil Robson Guitar Liam Noble Piano Kate Shortt Cello
Dave Whitford Bass Thebe Lipere Percussion Simon Lea Drums

Christine Tobin

One of the most bold musicians working in jazz today, Christine weaves her own sound from the disparate materials of blues, folk, latin and other art forms, including modern poetry. From the early days of Lammas to next month's new release The Secret Life of a Girl, she has been influenced by Bessie Smith, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and dozens of other artists, always brought together by her remarkable voice.

The compelling results include her 2003 CD You Draw The Line chosen by the Guardian for their 1000 Albums To Hear Before You Die list, though her experimentation also led them to dub her "the Bjork of jazz vocals"; discuss, or not.

To take on her challenging compass of influences, she has a band of astonishing range and accomplishment; Phil's recent band included prestigious saxophonist and former Miles Davis band member Dave Liebman. His own band Six Strings and the Beat is touring, and has produced a CD, also featuring cellist Kate; she is an accomplished solo performer and singer who has been featured with blues legend Peter Green and Wimbledon legend Cliff Richard. A member of the Master Drummers of Africa, Thebe has appeared with Louis Moholo, Loose Tubes and Partisans; the formidable trio of Liam, Dave and Simon complete the team.

For more information see www.myspace.com/ctobes.