Archive of past concerts

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Friday 6 June 2008  8pm
Janette Mason Trio
CUBE Cafe, Derby Dance, Chapel St., Derby


A versatile pianist and composer who has written for TV and film - Jonathan Ross's Saturday Zoo, Sex in The City, and performed with many leading pop and soul artists - Oasis, Pulp, Robert Wyatt, kd Lang, Mica Paris and Seal, Janette Mason is an outstanding jazz musician who refuses to stay in the jazz pigeonhole.

"Janette Mason's breakout album is a triumph of elegant themes, catchy hooks, fierce swing, classy execution and uncompromising openness to improvisation." John Fordham THE GUARDIAN

Friday 2 May 2008  8pm
George Hogg Quartet
CUBE Cafe, Derby Dance, Chapel St., Derby

George Hogg - Trumpet
Kit Downes - Piano
Callum Gourlay - Bass
James Maddren - Drums

Studying under Gerard Presencer at the Royal Academy has seen trumpeter George Hogg continue to fulfil the promise he showed as a soloist with EMYJO. He formed this quartet of fellow students three years ago and together they have developed enormously.  Pianist Kit Downes is part of the award winning bands Empirical and Troyka. Bass player Callum Gourlay works with Scottish saxophonist Tommy Smith and drummer James Maddren gigs regularly with Martin Speake and Andea Vicari.
George was recently in Toronto as part of a Conservatoire UK big band, which performed under the direction of Kenny Wheeler.

Wednesday 23 April 2008  8pm

Weller & Wellins with strings 'Nine Songs'
Darwin Suite, Assembly Rooms, Derby 

Don Weller and Bobby Wellins - tenor saxes
Mark Edwards piano
Andrew Cleyndert double bass
Mathew Forbes cello
Spike Wells drums
and strings from Sinfonia ViVA.

Scottish saxophone original Bobby Wellins likes to let tunes burn down to a glow, in the tradition of Lester Young and Stan Getz. Fellow tenor player Don Weller's more robust style is drawn from Charlie Parker and Sonny Rollins,  and both men (close associates of Stan Tracey) have been admired for decades as unconventional, straight ahead swingers. This set is an unusual collaboration with classical string players and a jazz rhythm section.

Friday 4 April 2008  8pm
Zoe Galant Quartet
CUBE Cafe, Derby Dance, Chapel St., Derby

This highly talented young singer/pianist has quickly established herself on the London circuit with gigs at The "Pizza in The Park" and the "606". The guys in her band all have strong jazz credentials. Rob Statham on bass has toured and recorded with Ed Jones, Theo Travis and John Etheridge. Guitarist Rod Fogg, who has worked with Martin Speake and Paul Clarvis, cites Joe Pass as his spiritual father. Mike Pickering has played drums for American trombonist/pianist Ephie Resnick and Billy Jenkins among many others. Expect Jazz with Latin and Funk flavours and a nod in the direction of popular song, showing influences of Joan Armatrading, Laura Nyro, Nora Jones and Joni Mitchell.
Wednesday 26 March 2008 8pm  
PRÉVOST / SCHLIPPENBACH / WILLIAMSON / WILKINSON
University of Derby

Eddie Prévost Drums
Alex von Schlippenbach Piano
Alan Wilkinson Alto and Baritone Sax
Joe Williamson Double Bass

Eddie Prévost and Alex von Schlippenbach are both founding fathers of free music, but this is their first collaboration. Eddie works regularly with Alan and Joe. Alex has been associated with the FMP label since the mid '60s and has formed long-standing partnerships with leading European improvisors.

Alex von Schlippenbach   Eddie Prevost

Wednesday 19 March 2008 8pm
Empirical
Darwin Suite, Assembly Rooms  

Jay Phelps - Trumpet
Nathaniel Facey - Alto Sax
Kit Downes - Piano
Tom Farmer - Bass
Shane Forbes - Drums


Empirical's debut CD was JAZZWISE magazine's album of the year. The band is dedicated to maintaining the roots of modern jazz but has a definite finger on the pulse of the contemporary world. Style-wise: think Ornette Coleman meets Wayne Shorter meets John Coltrane meets Ali Farka Toure meets Steve Coleman - performed with an abundance of youthful energy.

"Empirical is the most exciting jazz band to come out of the UK." Courtney Pine

MySpace link

Friday 7 March 2008 8pm
Robert Mitchell / Omar Puente
Cube Cafe, Derby Dance, Chapel St., Derby 

Robert Mitchell - Piano  Omar Puente - Violin

An unusual but fascinating pairing of jazz instruments.

Robert Mitchell has been in Gary Crosby's J-Life and Tomorrow's Warriors and played with Courtney Pine, Norma Winstone and many others. He was last heard in Derby with Corey Mwamba.

Cuban violinist Omar Puente has lived in England for 10 years, playing with such musicians as Tito Puente, Kirsty MacColl, Jules Holland and Courtney Pine.

Robert Mitchell     Omar Puente     MySpace

Wednesday 20 February 2008 8pm

Simon Spillett Quartet - Tribute to Tubby Hayes
Darwin Suite, Assembly Rooms

Young hard bop tenor maestro fully evokes the style and spirit of his role model, the late Tubby Hayes. Playing here with one of Tubby's drummers and the rhythm section of Ronnie Scott's last quartet.
Winner of the 2007 BBC Rising Star Jazz Award.

Simon Spillett - Tenor Sax - Spike Wells - Drums
Andrew Cleyndert - Bass - John Critchinson - Piano

Simon Spillett website

Wednesday 13 February 2008 8.30pm
Tom Bunting Quartet
Susumi, 7-11 Wardwick,  Derby


Tom is a graduate of EMYJO and now based in Birmingham.  The quartet will be playing the music of Ornette Coleman from the late 1950's.  It's straight ahead in terms of feel with the band focusing mainly on creating melody over a swinging rhythm section.

Tom Bunting on double bass
Alex Merritt on tenor sax
Simon Spreyer on drums
Sam Wooster on trumpet

Wednesday February 6 2008 8.00pm
SHAW / COATES / HOBBS / HURLEY
University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby


Walt Shaw - made instruments and electronics
Bruce Coates - saxophones
Mike Hurley - piano
Chris Hobbs - percussion and found objects


Walt is well known in Derby audiences for his work with fellow experimentalists Corey Mwamba, the Dust Collective and his own projects. Chris Hobbs, from Leicester, studied with Cornelius Cardew, was the youngest member of The Scratch Orchestra and in the late '60s, early '70s a member of AMM. Bruce Coates and Mike Hurley are leading lights of Birmingham's developing improv scene and have worked with Walt in SYM-BIO.

Friday 1 February 2008 8pm
Quentin Collins & Jim Hart
Cube Cafe, Derby Dance, Chapel St., Derby 

Young trumpet virtuoso Quentin Collins and Jim Hart, sensational vibraphone star of the London jazz scene perform as a duo.
Quentin's harmonic adventurousness and rich tone will contrast beautifully with Jim as he moves between a guitar-like sound and a traditionally delicate vibes glimmer.

Quentin Collins - MySpace
Jim Hart - MySpace

Wednesday 30 January 2008 8.30pm
Helen McDonald London Bridge Band
Susumi, 7-11 Wardwick,  Derby

Another of Derby's jazz exports, singer and percussionist Helen makes a welcome return to her home territory.

Helen sings with her own polished backing band, the London Bridge Ensemble.

Wednesday 23 January 2008 8pm
Alec Dankworth Spanish Accents Quintet
Darwin Suite, Assembly Rooms


Alec Dankworth - bass
Mark Lockheart - saxes
Christian Garrick - violin
Phil Robson - guitar
Ralph Salmins - percussion


Bassist Alec Dankworth's new quintet plays jazz with a Spanish flavour.  Alec has arranged folk tunes from Spain, originals with a flamenco rhythm and compositions from Chick Corea, Dizzy Gillespie and Jack DeJohnette.

Friday 11 January 2008 8pm
Jim Mullen Organ Trio
Cube Cafe, Derby Dance, Chapel St., Derby 

Jim Mullen - guitar
Mike Gorman - Hammond organ
Matt Skelton - drums

A favourite with Derby audiences, Jim Mullen returns with his organ trio for more funk jazz with a Scottish twist.

Wednesday 12 December 2007 8pm
Alan Barnes Liquorice-Stick All Sorts
Darwin Suite, Assembly Rooms

Alan Barnes - clarinet
Paul Clarvis - drums
Jim Hart - vibraphone

Think Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Gene Krupa
- and then think some more!
   

Friday 7 December 2007 8pm
Lewis Wright Quartet
Cube Cafe, Derby Dance, Chapel St., Derby 

Lewis Wright - vibraphone
Simon Brown - keyboards
Andy Doyle - bass
Will Clark - drums

Young vibes player Lewis Wright has burst onto the scene recently.  This exciting new talent brings his quartet to Derby - another unmissable gig.

Lewis Wright website

Friday 30 November 2007 8pm
Corey Mwamba's Symbiosis Ensemble
Darwin Suite, Assembly Rooms

Nature's Glory, Fancy's Child
Corey Mwamba, well-known to Derby Jazz audiences and now a rising star of British Jazz, and his fifteen piece ensemble explore the life of Ignatius Sancho through original compositions, arrangements of Sancho's songs, improvisation and narration.
Born on a slave ship in 1729, and a contemporary of Joseph Wright of Derby, Sancho was patronised and exploited by a series of aristocratic owners before becoming the first reported African to vote in Britain and an erudite writer against the wrongs of slavery. But what was his true place in British society; was he truly seen as a noble, proud, and intelligent writer, or just as a current fancy?

This performance was part of Derby's Black History Season.

For more about Corey Mwamba and this project visit   www.coreymwamba.co.uk

Wednesday 28 November 2007 8.30pm
The Filthy Six
5 Lamps, Duffield Road, Derby 
The Filthy Six are fast establishing themselves as one of the finest live acts around. A London based group, they take their cue from the groove and boogaloo styles of late 60's Blue Note artists such as Lou Donaldson, Grant Green, Jimmy McGriff and Donald Byrd. Playing a mixture of original material plus classics from the golden period of Soul Jazz, their music appeals to hard-core groovers and jazz heads alike. The sextet is comprised of some of London’s hottest musicians who have worked with a variety of artists from home and abroad including Jill Scott, Basement Jaxx, Bobby Wellins, Randy Brecker, JTQ, Richard Ashcroft, Amy Winehouse, Stacey Kent and Pee Wee Ellis.

Filthy Six MySpace

Saturday 24 November 2007 8pm
The Geoff Gascoyne Project
Assembly Rooms Great Hall  

Featuring Jamie Cullum, Trudy Kerr and The Juno String Quartet

Presenting music from his Candid CD, Keep It To Yourself bass player Geoff Gascoyne has created a large ensemble which features a core Trio that have been playing together exclusively for over 5 years. Geoff is joined by Sebastian de Krom on drums and Jamie Cullum (in a rare sideman role) playing piano. The Trio are joined by Martin Shaw on trumpet with Tim Garland and Steve Kaldestad on saxophone and is augmented by the Juno String Quartet Quartet. With this ensemble Geoff is given a wide pallet to showcase his arranging skills. The band will play Geoff's catchy original compositions and choice standards, plus Jamie will sing with the Strings, the Trio and Ensemble.

Geoff Gascoyne MySpace

Saturday 24 November 2007  
Derby Day at the London Jazz Festival
Barbican FreeStage, Silk St., London EC2

The three pieces of new music which we commissioned for Derby Jazz Week in March are to be showcased as part of the prestigious London Jazz Festival.  They will be a prelude to the Sonny Rollins concert that evening in the same venue.

2:30  COREY MWAMBA - Argentum

4:00  PHIL ROBSON - Six strings and the beat

5:45  EAST MIDLANDS YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA
with Graham Collier, Harry Beckett and Alan Barnes

Wednesday 14 November 2007 8.30pm 
Tony Kofi Trio
5 Lamps, Duffield Road, Derby 

Tony Kofi - Saxes
Winston Clifford - Drums
Ben Hazleton - Bass
+ surprise guests

A welcome return for one of the country's top sax players. Originally from Nottingham and now based in London, Tony has promised to tear up the joint with a mixture of standards and self-composed pieces.
Friday 2 November 2007 8pm
Tina May & Nikki Iles
Cube Cafe, Derby Dance Centre, Chapel St., Derby  Tel 01332 370911

A superb piano/vocals duo.

An evening of sophisticated romantic balladry with vocalist Tina May and Nikki Iles on piano. Tina is one of the most expressive vocalists in the UK and has developed a rapport with Bill Evans-ish pianist Nikki that takes the partnership between singer and pianist far beyond mere voice plus accompaniment.

Wednesday 24 October 2007 8pm
Dylan Howe Quintet
Darwin Suite, Assembly Rooms

DYLAN HOWE - DRUMS
ROSS STANLEY - PIANO
CHRIS HILL - DOUBLE BASS
ROBBIE ROBSON - TRUMPET
MATT WATES - ALTO SAX

"This is contemporary, fresh energetic jazz played with brio and luxuriant swing that makes it music of today. Howe has that gift not only of swing, but to play oh, so quietly, making you listen to his very restraint, as he encourages his family of drums to talk together. Just file under a bloody good night out." Andy Robson Jazzwise October '06

Dylan Howe MySpace       Youtube video clip

Wednesday 10 October 2007 8.30pm
Gilad Atzmon Quartet
5 Lamps, Duffield Road, Derby 


One of the most exciting and accomplished sax and reed players on the scene, Gilad returns with his regular quartet.  Expect scintillating jazz and controversial politics.

Gilad Atzmon - reeds     Yaron Stavi - bass
Frank Harrison - keys    Asaf Sirkis - drums

Gilad Atzmon MySpace
Friday 5 October 2007 8pm
John Bailey Quartet
CUBE Cafe, Derby Dance Centre, Chapel St., Derby 

John Bailey: Piano
Tom Challenger: Tenor Sax
Tom Farmer: Double Bass
Jon Scott: Drums

Local musician John Bailey returns to Derby with this exciting new band.  The members of this quartet are recent Guildhall School of Music graduates and all big stars of tomorrow.  The two Toms both play in the Heritage Orchestra.

John Bailey MySpace

Wednesday 26 September 2007 8pm   
  Liane Carroll Trio
Guildhall Theatre, Market Place, Derby Tel 01332 255800

Vocalist and pianist Liane and her band appear for the first time in Derby.

Double award winner - Best Vocalist and Best of Jazz - at BBC Jazz Awards 2005.

Thursday 20 September 2007 8pm  
Charles Gayle   William Parker   Mark Sanders
University of Derby,  Kedleston Road, Derby
Our first concert in this University facility


Charles Gayle - Saxophone
William Parker - Double Bass
Mark Sanders - Drums & percussion

A rare chance to see these two powerful New York avant-garde jazz pioneers - both regularly played with Cecil Taylor - accompanied by British free improvising drummer Mark Sanders of Spring Heel Jack and Evan Parker fame.

More info on these websites:
Charles Gayle   William Parker   Mark Sanders

Wednesday 25th April 2007 8.00pm
Pinski Zoo
Darwin Suite, Assembly Rooms, Derby
Tel: 01332 255800

A truly original contemporary jazz band, almost impossible to categorize. They swing from virtuosic jazz to gritty funk and snappy anthemic tunes.
Unpredictable and exciting, they have carved a unique style and won praise from critics in the UK and abroad.

JAN KOPINSKI saxophones STEVE ILIFFE keyboards
KARL BINGHAM bass STEFAN KOPINSKI bass
PATRICK ILLINGWORTH drums

www.jankopinski.com

Wednesday 18th April 2007 8.30pm
CHRIS BOWDEN TRIO
5 Lamps, Duffield Road, Derby Tel: 01332 341066

Alto saxophonist, arranger and composer Chris has earned an international reputation from his work with the 45 piece Heritage Orchestra as well as in small groups.  He was at the heart of the acid jazz scene and has major recordings on the Ninja Tunes and Soul Jazz labels.


With Ben Markland on bass and Neil Bullock on drums, their two previous Derby Jazz dates have been outstanding.

More details on:   Ninja Tunes website

Wednesday 21st February 2007 8.00pm
Fraud
Darwin Suite, Assembly Rooms, Derby
Tel: 01332 255800

James Allsopp - reeds, decomposer
Tim Giles - electric percussion, composer
Philip Hochstrate - keyboards
Stian Westerhus - guitar
Ben Reynolds - drums

Fraud – in their own words – combine ruthlessly trimmed funk with a slaughterhouse approach to improvisation. Their colourful, intrepid music was the brainchild of James Allsopp, a Perrier Jazz Award winner; and Tim Giles, a collaborator of, amongst others, Stan Sulzmann and Richard Fairhurst.  Intensely spontaneous, expect a high energy fusion of contemporary jazz, electronica, Norwegian rock and much more.

www.fraudmusic.co.uk
www.myspace/fraudsound

Wednesday 7th February 2007 8.30pm
Helen McDonald and the London Bridge Ensemble
5 Lamps, Duffield Road, Derby
Tel: 01332 341066

A favourite with Derby audiences, dynamic singer Helen is backed by her new band for an evening of jazz, soul, afro-beat and reggae.

Vlad Miller - keyboards  Leslie Booth - bass
Helder Pack - drums      Trevor Antonio - percussion

www.myspace.com/helenmcdonald


Wednesday 31st January 2007 8.00pm 
Scott Hamilton Quartet
Darwin Suite, Assembly Rooms, Derby
Tel: 01332 255800


The world's foremost mainstream tenor saxophone player on a visit here from America. Renowned for a tone and swing comparable with Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster.

This is his first time in Derby and he will be accompanied by his regular UK trio:
John Pearce - piano Dave Green - bass Steve Brown - drums


Wednesday 10th January 2007 8.30pm
Tommaso Starace - Elliott Erwitt Project
5 Lamps, Duffield Road, Derby



Tommaso Starace - Alto & Soprano Saxophones
Roger Beaujolais - Vibes
Julian Bury - Bass
Jim Hart - Drums


Tommaso plays music based on his impressions of the work of Elliott Erwitt, the famous American photographer . The performance is accompanied by a screened display of Erwitt's photos.  www.tommasostarace.com
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