Monday 27 June 2011

What's on at The Ace- Nelson

Saturday 2nd July  
Pocket Money Cinema:    Gnomeo & Juliet (U)

Garden gnomes Gnomeo (voice of James McAvoy) and Juliet (Emily Blunt) have as many obstacles to overcome as their quasi namesakes when they are caught up in a feud between neighbours. But with plastic pink flamingos and lawnmower races in the mix, can this young couple find lasting happiness?
Running time:  84 mins
Screening at 2pm
Tickets: £2 adults, £2 children.


AND DON’T FORGET –

Friday 8th July
Comedy Night
Join us at The ACE Centre for two exclusive Edinburgh preview shows overseen by up and coming compere, Freddy Quinn.
Ian D Montford introduces ‘Touching the Dead’ followed by Ivan Brackenbury’s ‘Hospital Radio DJ’.

More details next week!  But don’t leave it too late to book!!
Starts  8.00pm
Tickets: £7.00 advance;  £8.00 on the door







From All of Us at The ACE
Nelson’s best kept secret…

01282 661080

Local indie-rock legends Dirty Vinyls are reforming for a one off special gig at The Comrades Club in Heckmondwike. Friday 8th July. Doors open at 8 p.m


Tickets  £5  available from The Comrades on Regent St Heckmondwike and The Swan Liversedge. You can also pay on the door. Friday 8th July. Doors open at 8 p.m.
Local indie-rock legends Dirty Vinyls are reforming for a one off special gig at The Comrades Club in Heckmondwike.


Following on from their hugely successful reunion gig in November at The Swan in Liversedge, in aid of  the Isobel's Gift charity which raised over £1700, Dirty Vinyls plan to put on another barnstorming show.


Dirty Vinyls enjoyed great success in the mid noughties regularly playing at top London venues, festivals and many sell-out local shows. The band attracted serious interest from several major labels and management companies as well as famous fans such as Oasis and Creation Records supremo Alan McGee, who regularly gave them headline slots at  his top London club nights.


Singer Alan Cleverly, now the landlord at The Swan in Liversedge, said "  A lot of our old fans couldn't make the gig in November and have been asking us to do another gig at a bigger venue so they could all get in" Alan continued " That being our first gig together since 2005 we were very keen to put together another local show and we're delighted the Crown of Lights team at The Comrades are on board with us."


Donal O'Driscoll from Crown of Lights said, "We jumped at the chance to put on this one-off re-union gig. For me Dirty Vinyls are very special. They never failed to produce an electrifying atmosphere in the crowd the many times I saw them. I want this gig to be incredibly memorable for them and their many fans."


With support coming from talented young Morley based rockers, Small Print, its sure to be a great night. Tickets are £5 and are available from The Comrades on Regent St Heckmondwike and The Swan Liversedge. You can also pay on the door. Friday 8th July. Doors open at 8 p.m.

Friday 24 June 2011

Spectacular End For Acoustic Nights at Crown of Lights-Thursday 30th June and Friday 1st July.


Spectacular End For Acoustic Nights Thursday 30th June and Friday 1st July. Comrades Club, Regent St, Heckmondwike.
To finish the Crown of Lights Acoustic Night season there will be two nights of music this coming Thursday and Friday. Thursday sees the welcome return of Bruce Baillie from Cleckheaton and Wakefield based  Sarah & James and Blackstone Edge. New acts are Gillich from Cleckheaton and 4 piece The Sail Pattern from Halifax. Organiser Donal O'Driscoll said, "I've had people pleading with me to book Sail Pattern. I didn't know what all the fuss was about until I listened to them on Facebook. Now I can't wait to see them live myself!"


Then on Friday Finola opens the show as normal and Chris Martin ends the night with a very special set. Dalton Wright is accompanied by Ashley. New acts include southerner Conor Owen who has done shows with Dawn Landes, We Are Scientists, Glen Matlock and The Subways. Also new on is Gina Pearce from Wakefield, and Holly Taymar from York. "We've really pulled out all the stops for this end of season two night show" said Donal. "Some of these acts have been booked for months and I really am looking forward to being able to hear them perform at last before we take a three month break over the summer."


Free entry to both events which are also family friendly. Doors open 7pm. Both shows start 8pm prompt on Thursday 30th June and Friday 1st July. Comrades Club, Regent St, Heckmondwike.

Rage Against Racism, Review – 18th June 2011 @ The Well – Leeds

The Oppressed, Liberty, Social Schism, Overspill, Lowlife UK, Geoffrey Oicott, The Drastics, The Denholme Velvets, The Heels, Black Star Dub Collective, Skank Agenda.

Most events seem to be described as either ironic or ‘post-ironic’ these days, the concept being way too overused when describing anything that doesn’t fit into a neat little ‘genre box’. I’m thoroughly dismayed at myself then for beginning this review in a similar fashion: Rage Against Racism at The Well was indeed packed full of irony.

In the first instance it is ironic that the police were called to an anti-fascist, and judging by some of the t-shirts on sale decidedly anti-police event to control a situation caused by a few childish racists (I won’t mention the group they affiliated themselves with, wouldn’t want to give them any publicity). However as a friend of mine pointed out “we either call the police or take it into our own hands, the latter being exactly what the morons would’ve wanted so what choice do we have?”

To further the sense of irony at the event, rather than provoke retaliation this incident seemed to galvanise the sense of togetherness and solidarity shared by the punks and skins in attendance. It wasn’t too many years ago that these two social groups were labelled by the media with just the kind of blinkered and bigoted idealism the ‘Rage Against Racism’ concept sets out to challenge. A lovely irony then that the peacekeepers on this day were the media-portrayed demons of yesteryear. This resulted in an extremely positive and morally righteous atmosphere inside the venue with most of the bands playing up to this and using the idiocy witnessed to fuel the passion of their music.

The line-up was refreshing and diverse with hardcore and punk rock being played alongside ska and dub/reggae all supplemented by the eclectic selections of the dj’s present, John Firth and Jamie Headcharge ‘n’ Z-Carr who kept the crowd buoyant with broad range of past and present punk, ska and reggae favourites.
There were several stand out performances from bands on the day. Social Schism played with an energy and honesty rarely seen nowadays and treated the committed souls who had ventured indoors at that point to half an hour or so of tightly played anthemic punk rock.
Also worthy of praise, my personal favourites Skank Agenda who in spite of the absence of a drummer played hard and fast and delighted the crowd with their selection of acoustic ska-punk anthems. Always a joy to see live.

The day continued with solid sets from Overspill, Geoffrey Oicott, The Drastics, The Denholme Velvets, The Heels, Black Star Dub Collective and Liberty. Lowlife UK showed great stage presence and had the crowd singing along with them throughout, stoking the collective fire nicely for the main attraction. Finally then the band everyone had come to see: The Oppressed. Having never played in Leeds before today this was always going to be a special performance and the guys from Cardiff did not disappoint. Hard, fast, loud, passionate punk rock played with the ease and swagger that only comes from a band that has been involved in the scene for years. Truly lovely stuff. 


by Nick Hart
YorkshireGigGuide 

Thursday 23 June 2011

Leeds Fringe launches metal explosion 19 - 21 August



Leeds Fringe launches metal explosion



 

 A music event, the first of its kind in Leeds, is set to make its debut in the city this summer.

MF2011 (Metal Fringe 2011), part of the Leeds Fringe, will showcase local talent from the metal music persuasion in the week leading up to Leeds Festival. Eighteen bands from across the city and beyond will join together in August to play three nights of alternative rock (Friday), metal (Saturday) and hard rock (Sunday), to raise money for Martin House Children’s Hospice.



Amongst the bands playing on the Friday night are alternative rockers Down The Machine, who draw inspiration from Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden, whilst Saturday night's headlining act are 'revolutionary Leeds rock metal band' Mishkin, who recently came third in the Red Bull Bedroom Jam out of 600 bands. Other bands playing over the weekend include KarmaSlave, who will close the festival on Sunday evening.

Metal Fringe Leeds 2011 will be held from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 August at brand new, city centre based, live music venue, Empire. Tickets, which cost £5 for a full weekend ticket, will be available from a number of Leeds music outlets as well as various online retailers from Monday 11 July.



For full details of ticket sales and announcements about the event, visit the MF2011 website www.leedsfestivalfringe.org/metalfringe.html or like us on Facebook – www.facebook.com/metalfringe2011.

Wednesday 22 June 2011

Hull Refugee Week 18th to 25th June 2011


Friday 24th

City of Sanctuary

Date & Time: 7.00 to 9pm Friday 24th June
Venue: Central Methodist Hall, 62 King Edward Street (entrance round the corner on Waltham Street)
The City of Sanctuary movement brings together statutory and voluntary partners with private sector companies to welcome people seeking sanctuary to Hull. Guest speakers, music, food from all corners of the world and much more

Saturday 25th

Gig in the Gardens: Hull’s World Music Festival

Date & Time: 12 noon – 6 pm Saturday 25th June
Venue: Queen’s Gardens
Live music from local and international acts, food stalls, info stalls and lots of fun activities and games for the whole family, compared by the mercurial Ukulele Bill.  Acts confirmed include:
Hekima and the Bongo Flava – Playing their ever evolving cocktail of reggae, afrobeat, latin, hiphop and whatever else they fancy, they promise a high energy performance spreading the message of Love, Peace and Unity. www.myspace.com/thebongoflava
Danto Aya – 2011 special guest. Proud Tuareg refugee musician from Ghat in Libya invites the lonely spirits to come alive and play together with his electrifying drone-blues guitar and gently rhythmic singing. http://vimeo.com/24264844
Shanga Band – based in Hull but originally from Kurdish decent, Dilzar and the group play a huge part in celebrating cultural diversity in Hull. Always guaranteed to please the crowd and get them moving as they perform traditional sounds with modern beats. http://www.youtube.com/dilzarshanga
Nzaya Nzayadio – Originally from Kinshasa, Nzaya Nzayadio is a veteran of the golden era of 70’s Rumba playing his distinctive blend of shimmering guitar, kicking beats and seductive harmonies with his band Aria Stars
The Nile Group– Hull based Sudanese group who bring a smile to everyones faces with their eclectic mix of sounds inspired by the rhythms of the Nile
Humba Rumba – Veteran Hull musicians combine Soukous, Rumba and other African styles with European energy and local observations
Ezra – Young Hull based singer brings his experiences of war, refugee camps and adapting to a new life in the UK with his energetic and infectious Congolese rumba
Bora Shabaa – Very animated and a joy to watch, come along and join the dance with this well established local Congolese band.
And more to be added …
For more information check out:
If you would like any further information, or would like to help out please email: hullrefugeeweek@yahoo.com

Champagne & Chic Friday 24June- live music, fashion, dance and much more!!


Vamped PR presents
 In aid of People In Action
Following on from the resounding success of the first ever Champagne and Chic and after high demand, it gives us great pleasure to announce that Champagne & Chic will return this month.

Baracoa Luxe Bar in Leeds will be a wash with colour, creativity and talent on Friday 24th June.
The upstairs will be host to models, dancers, Yorkshire based designers from fashionpony.co.uk, singers, DJ's and much, much more!
The Last event saw fire eating ballet dancers and belly dancers with swords on their heads, what will this one have in store? If you don't want to guess then make sure you come along to support chartiy and have a jolly good knees up.
The event is being held in aid of Leeds-based charity People In Action, with all proceeds from ticket sales being donated to this very worthy cause. People in Action support people with learning dissabilities.
Set in the fabulous surroundings of Baracoa Luxe Bar, a selection of over 100 VIP guests will be attending, including a selection of key business-people in Leeds along with creatives and fashionistas. Baracoa Luxe Bar will be transformed into a celebration of high fashion, champagne, music and dance, with an array of delights, creating a glamorous evening not to be missed.
Included within the evening’s entertainment will be a private VIP only ‘welcome’ bar, where guests will receive a glass of champagne upon arrival. There will be a free cocktail as you make your way upstairs with the choice of utilising the class on class on how to make them. Alternatively you can enjoy the bar staffs performance and the wonderful produce.
The evening and catwalk show will be hosted by Jojo, DJ and presenter from Hirsty’s Daily Dose on Capital FM and Leeds Fashionista.
The champagne reception starts at 18:00, the cocktails starts at 18:30 and the show starts at 19:30. Please be seated by 19:20.
The VIP package contains all of the above goodies for the astonishing price of £12.50 along amazing designed and comfortable seating arrangement and an after party.

Check us out on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Champagne-Chic

Tickets>

Map>

Burton Agnes Jazz Blues Festival Line Up 5th, 6th and 7th August Burton Agnes Hall, Burton Agnes, East Yorkshire,

www.burtonagnes.com

2011 Festival Line Up and Biographies

The 2011 line up - Main Stage
Friday Evening
6:30 - 8:00
Zoe Gilby Quintet- A young jazz vocalist who has been making a real impression on the UK jazz scene. Influences include Carmen McRae, Nancy Wilson, Sheila Jordan and Roberta Gambarini to name but a few.
8:15 - 10:00
7 Pieces of Silver featuring Alan Barnes- Seven Pieces of Silver is a band which really captures the excitement, swing and spirit of the Horace Silver groups. Great ensembles, solos, and hip arrangements of some of the greatest modern jazz compositions ever written

 
Late Night Sessions Courtesy of the Beverley Arts Trust
10.00- 10.30
Farino-   flamenco with a touch of Hull!
10.40-11.10
Mean Eyed Cat- combine Americana, folk and soul to create a distinctive style
11.20-12.00
Alligators- perform 'no holds barred' rhythm and blues in the classic style

Saturday 
1.00 - 2:30
Matt Smith and Carlos Olmos- A Soul, funk and blues jazz repertoire
2.45 - 4:15
Nicola Farnon Quartet- an outstandingly swinging and propulsive bass player with an outgoing personality to match
4:30 - 6:00
Joel Purnell Quartet- Influenced by the American jazz masters of past and present they concentrate musically on a collective approach to melodicity, lyricism, jazz feel and expression in a contemporary jazz setting
6:15 - 8:15
Jacqui Dankworth Quintet- “One of the classiest acts in British jazz singing" (The Guardian)

8:30 - 10:00
Oli Brown- Oli brings a freshness and excitement to every performance and is at the forefront of the UK’s new Blues movement" Planet Rock Radio    



Late Night Sessions Courtesy of the Beverley Arts Trust
 10.00-10.30    
Holly Taymar- jazz with a bit of folk and folk with a bit of jazz
 10.40-11.10
Farino- flamenco with a touch of Hull!
 11.20-12.00
This Way Up- rock and blues band performing both classic covers and self penned material

Sunday  
12:00 - 1:15
Rob Law Trio- Lead by Rob, an accomplished piano player who has earned himself a reputation as one of the country’s most exciting young artists.
1:30- 3.00
Claire Martin- “For my money she's not only the finest female British jazz singer of her generation but possibly of all time.” The Times - Jazz Reviewer
3.15 - 4.15
Saffron's Sound Safari- Singer-Songwriter Saffron Byass performs songs from her new album
4.30 - 5.30
Octopus- Eight piece East Yorkshire group playing classic swing
5.45 - 6.15
Saffron and Simon - Organisers Saffron and Simon play out their festival. Saffron sings and Simon plays the sax.

 

Claire Martin


Born in Wimbledon, South London, Claire Martin was born to sing. Growing up in a house full of music, she loved Judy Garland and learned all her songs by the time she was 12. But it was hearing Ella Fitzgerald’s legendary Song Books that changed her life inspiring her to go to Stage School and then to study singing in London and New York.
Throughout her career Claire has gathered a multitude of awards and continues to do so including her most recent Vocal Award at the 2010 British Jazz Awards. 
Claire recording career has gone from strength to strength after Claire's 1992 debut The Waiting Game (Linn AKD 018) scored rave reviews and was chosen as a Times Album of the Year. Claire has recorded many successful albums and her latest release A Modern Art was recorded during March of 2009 and features the amazing talents of Nigel Hitchcock, Laurence Cottle (who also produced and arranged the sessions), Mark Nightingale, Phil Robson and Gareth Williams. Always keen to surround herself with the best musician's in town, the CD is a modern take on jazz singing in the 21st century. Two new original songs by Claire and Laurence are alongside new songs by Mark Winker, Joshua Redman, Lauren Kinhan, Colin Lazzerini and all time favourite writers Donald Fagan, Micheal Franks, Cy Colemand and Rodgers & Hart.
During the Spring of 2000 Claire was chosen by BBC Radio 3 to present a new weekly jazz show called Jazz Line Up. This is still going from strength to strength and next year will be celebrating it‘s 10th birthday. Claire has interviewed some of her all time musical hero‘s including; Pat Metheney, Brad Mehldau,, Tania Maria, Mike Stern, Joe Locke, Joshua Redman, Diane Reeves and the late Micheal Brecker. A 'dream job' as she rightly describes it!

Jacqui Dankworth Quintet


Given her musical pedigree – daughter of Dame Cleo Laine and the late Sir John Dankworth - it’s no surprise that JACQUI DANKWORTH is considered to be “one of the classiest acts in British jazz singing”(The Guardian). Her third solo album, ‘Back to You’, was released to critical acclaim in autumn 2009, hitting the Top Ten jazz charts and firmly establishing this singer-songwriter extraordinaire as one of the UK’s most sought-after artists. The album is a heady mix of Jacqui’s own superbly crafted compositions - fusing jazz, soul, folk and blues - plus snazzy arrangements of a few contemporary classics by composers such as James Taylor and Sting.

Jacqui started her professional career acting with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre before taking leading roles in West End musicals. In 2003 she decided to concentrate on her skills as a singer-songwriter when her first major album, ‘As The Sun Shines Down On Me’, was released on Candid Records to a rapturous reception. Jacqui continues to make an enormous impression wherever she performs, either with her own band or touring with other prestigious musicians, such as the Brodsky Quartet. From Ronnie Scott’s and the Royal Festival Hall in London to The Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles, she has been wowing packed houses at major festivals and other venues worldwide. Last year she performed with the legendary Marvin Hamlisch in New York to a standing ovation.

As well as receiving rave reviews for her live stage performances and albums, Jacqui has acquired countless accolades for her frequent appearances on TV and radio, both as performer and presenter. In between a busy schedule on both sides of the Atlantic, she completed an album started with her beloved father, before his untimely death in 2010. A fabulous mix of John/Jacqui's co-compositions and breathtaking arrangements of favourite standards, the CD is due for release later this year. Also in the pipeline is a new album with phenomenal Memphis-born singer/songwriter/pianist Charlie Wood, to whom she recently got married. The pair have been raising the roof at their concerts, notably at two highly acclaimed performances at The Barbican, as part of the 2010 London Jazz Festival.

“Jacqui Dankworth…. has made it in every sense. She can do a ballad and a gospel number with the same relaxed, easy mastery. Her timing is terrific, she can pack a punch… and she’s buoyed up by a quartet who are marvellous players in their own right….a total delight." Daily Telegraph

" Imaginative, moving, and adventurous with material and technique” The Guardian
 

Oli Brown



Late 2002 saw Oli pick up a guitar for the first time and just 2 ½ years later, at 15, he was invited to America, as the guest of American Blues band Blinddog Smokin', this first trip saw Oli play for Buddy Guy and Taj Mahal.

Whilst visiting America, Carl Gustafson the leader of the American Blues band Blinddog Smokin and dear friend, told Oli that he should form his own band and start singing. So in late 2006 Oli started rehearsing the newly formed Oli Brown Band (Oli, Simon and Fred) and their first gig was in March 2007 at The Walnut Tree Shades in Norwich. 2008 and Oli was signed to the German Blues label, Ruf Records, Thomas Ruf actually flew into the UK to see Oli perform and signed him there and then.

Oli's debut album, OPEN ROAD, was recorded and released in 2008 and received great reviews from both the UK and Europe and was voted the Number 2 Blues album of 2008, by readers of Blues Matters! magazine and, two years on, is still high in the Blues Charts.

During 2010 Oli gigged in Europe, the UK ( in association with HMV and Planet Rock), headlined at the prestigious Glastonbury Festival on the newly added Blues and Jazz Stage and appeared at G-Taranaki in New Zealand (which was headlined by Slash)

Oli received nominations in the prestigious 2010 British Blues Awards, the results of which are decided by a public vote and was both thrilled and honoured to have won the Male Vocalist of the Year and Young Artist of the Year, a result which further strengthens the belief in what this young man can achieve. (It is worth pointing out that Oli's drummer, Simon Dring, was voted Drummer of the Year)

"A British Bluesman to rival Trucks and Bonamassa" Uncut
"Blues prodigy set to shake the British scene out of its slumber" Classic Rock
"Oli is the most promising Blues man to emerge from Britain for a long time" Blues Matters!

The Nicola Farnon Quartet



Wiltshire born and now Sheffield resident, Nicola has a remarkable musical pedigree, both parents being professional classical musicians and her great uncle no less than the late Robert Farnon. After an early start on piano and cello (grade 8 in both by the age of eleven!), she followed her dad's love of the 'standards' into jazz via the double bass and an enchanting voice which was developed during her Performing Arts studies at Middlesex University.

Her sparkling trio and quartet appears regularly on the jazz circuit and the band's arrangements are all done by her - with some melodic and extremely catchy originals thrown in for good measure! She has played with such Jazz luminaries as Digby Fairweather, Jim Mullen, Bruce Adams and Alan Barnes and has supported class jazz acts as diverse as Courtney Pine, Georgie Fame, Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine, Humphrey Lyttleton and Acker Bilke. “What a fine group of Musicians….an absolute joy” Robert Farnon

“She’s a remarkable performer on stage, a fine singer and an outstandingly swinging and propulsive bass player with an outgoing personality to match...I declare that she is a class act who should be on every jazz festival in the land….A sure fire hit!” Humphrey Lyttleton

Jim Corry - Sax
A wonderful player whose already appeared at major venues and festivals all over the world. He has played with an eclectic mix of jazz, pop and soul artists including Bourbon Y Tequila, Capri, Jamil Sheriff, Andrew Colman Corinne Bailey Rae, Roy Wood, John Legend, Carleen Anderson, New Mastersounds and credits great saxophonists - Julian Cannonball Adderley, Phil Woods, Peter King, Kenny Garrett and David Newman as strong influences on his playing.

Andy Cholerton - Piano
Andy studied performance and composition at Bretton Hall College in Yorkshire and has since gone on to become a noted jazz pianist and composer performing throughout the UK. He has published works for piano, saxophone, jazz ensembles and big band. He has composed scores for musicals and plays and has worked as Musical Director for various theatre companies in the North of England. Andy has also worked with some of the county's leading jazz soloists including Tina May, Al Woods, Jim Mullen, Simon Bates, Dave Bishop and Richard Ingham.

Phil Johnson - Drums
Phil started his career with The Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra with which he toured extensively in the U.K. - and America and Poland. He has since backed many jazz artists including Bobby Shew, Alan Barnes, John Etheridge, Don Lusher, Barbara Thompson, Jim Mullen and Kenny Baker. A phenomenally popular and busy drummer, Phil plays regularly with The Squadronnaires and The Memphis Belle Swing Orchestra, The Nelson Riddle Orchestra UK and The Kings of Swing Orchestra. In the words of her late, great Uncle, the much admired and highly esteemed composer and arranger –

“Nicola Farnon… the most important thing in music is poetry…She’s got it The next best activator is swing… She’s got it Love, laughter, looks and charm… She’s got it Her voice, whose choice? Mine… She’s got it!” ROBERT FARNON

Joel Purnell Quartet



A coalition of like minded, experienced and internationally recognised jazz musicians and educators presently all based in the UK (London, Manchester & Leeds). Performing both original jazz compositions and rearrangements of standard jazz repertoire, the band members are all clearly focused and passionate in their quest to seek out the all too often forgotten subtleties of jazz improvisation. Influenced by the American jazz masters of past and present we concentrate musically on a collective approach to melodicity, lyricism, jazz feel and expression in a contemporary jazz setting.

Joel Purnell (Tenor Sax)
Zoltan Dekany (Double Bass)
Jamil Sheriff (Piano)
Eryl Roberts (Drums

Zoe Gilby Quintet




Zoë Gilby Zoë Gilby is a North East based jazz vocalist. She studied music for two years at Newcastle College and later attended Fionna Duncan's Vocal Jazz Workshop in Glasgow.

Performances include: Wakefield Jazz Club, Fleece Jazz, Spice Jazz, Cork Jazz Festival, Derry Jazz Festival, Marsden Jazz Festival, Keswick Jazz Festival, Lichfield Real Ale Jazz and Blues Festival, Southport Jazz Festival, Glasgow Jazz Festival and the Sage Gateshead International Jazz Festival.

Recordings include: Jan 2007 “Now That I am Real” with arrangements by drummer Tony Faulkner. April 2010 “Looking Glass” jazzaction the label. Featuring her quintet that Zoë tours the UK with.

In Spring 2010 Zoë recorded “Looking Glass” on the jazzaction label. Featuring her quintet that Zoë tours the UK with. The composers range from Ellington to Tom Waits to originals from Zoë and Andy Champion.


7 Pieces of Silver featuring Alan Barnes



5 Pieces of Silver is a Jazz Quintet dedicated to the performance of the music of Horace Silver, the great American Jazz Composer and pianist. The Band plays a large cross section of the composer’s music from 1950s right up to the present day. Over the last year have increased the number of musicians perform as 7 Pieces of Silver!!!

Featuring a 4-Piece horn section including marvellous Saxophonist Alan Barnes. The rest of the guys are James lancaster - Tpt, John Mckillup - Tnr sax, Matt Ball - Trmbn, Zezo Olimpio - Pno, Paul Baxter - D. Bass and Paul Smith - Kit. “Seven Pieces of Silver is a band which really captures the excitement, swing and spirit of the Horace Silver groups. Great ensembles, solos, and hip arrangements of some of the greatest modern jazz compositions ever written."

Matt Smith

Matt has been on the London music scene since leaving Brunel university. He plays guitar in an extremely wide range of styles, incorporating soul funk and blues into his jazz repertoire.

His playing has seen him in a variety of situations both nationally and internationally including residencies and tours in Austria, France, and the UK, including the 606 club, Ronnie Scotts, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Harvey Nichols, T4 and the London Astoria. As a busy guitarist, bass player and composer he has undertaken an equally varied amount of work, including London shows,studio and Tv work, ( For universal,Tzadik, IRL and Island Labels), ranging from reggae and hip hop through jazz to mutant klezmer.

Matt currently plays bi-weekly at the Browns Hotel, Mayfair and with the original band "The Leano", as well as with U.S. Dance Chart No.1, H-Boogie. He's currently trying to be a triathlete when his guitar will leave him alone.

Rob Law Trio

Rob Law on piano, Paul Baxter on bass and Kris Wright (drums). Rob is an accomplished piano player and has earned himself a reputation as one of the country’s most exciting young artists. The group will be performing a mixture of Jazz, Soul and Latin.

Late Night Sessions Courtesy of the Beverley Arts Trust

Beverley Arts Trust was formed in 2005 as a non-profit making organisation with the simple aim of promoting a wide range of arts throughout the East Riding. Since our inception we have brought the likes of Albert Lee, Elkie Brooks and Mike Sanchez to venues in the Beverley area. In addition we have organised the last three Beverley Puppet Festivals and developed the hugely popular late night venue at the Beverley Festival. We hope you enjoy our second late night programme at the Jazz Festival as much as everybody seemed to enjoy our first last year!!   
Farino are a Hull based duo rapidly gaining a reputation as two of the best flamenco guitarists in the UK. They have delighted audiences throughout the area with their highly skilful take on one of the best loved forms of guitar music. They describe their music as ‘flamenco with a touch of Hull’. They will be performing on both Friday and Saturday night. 

Circus Envy
are enjoying wide airplay on many radio stations and deservedly so. Excellent song writing skills combine with a distinctive style combining Americana, folk and soul to produce a sound that is proving popular with audiences at many festivals and other events across the north of England. They are sure of a great future so catch them here while you can!  

The Alligators
return to this year’s festival by popular demand. They are a local trio performing no holds barred rhythm and blues in the classic style. All three members of the band are vastly experienced and this shows in the sheer energy and exuberance of their usually sold out gigs. Their performance at last year’s festival caused a riot of fevered dancing including some sharp moves from our host Simon

Holly Tamar
has supported some excellent artists such as Boo Hewerdine, Rachel Harrington, Edwina Hayes, Ben Parker and Kate Aumonier, The Ruth Notman Band, and Rod Picott and Amanda Shires. She’s had recognition for her songwriting skills from the BBC's New Talent initiative, and also worked extensively as a session musician.  Her widely praised musical style veers between jazz with a bit of folk and folk with a bit of jazz – highly original and captivating. After her performance at Burton Agnes last year, her stock of CD’s sold out within minutes

This Way Up
are a Beverley based 5 piece rock and blues band performing both classic covers and self penned material. After supporting legendary blues outfit Slack Alice in 2010 they have been snapped up to perform at the Great British Blues Festival this year

Friday 17 June 2011

Theatre Brothel - Hull Truck Theatre 14-18 June- Review


As in any brothel, as you enter the establishment your mood and attitude helps the ''boudoir managers'' gently direct you towards those that can best satisfy the desire, mood and taste of you at that moment.
So it was at Hull Truck Theatre's Brothel where of the six drama delights on offer my desires moved me to experience the short play What Would Judas Do? by Geyscale Theatre.   Jesus is dead and Judas played by Paul Connolly, wants us to understand his dilemmas and answer a few questions ourselves. Exciting fluid drama no voyeurism here as the audience is seduced into participation.
My need for spiritual betrayal not entirely sated I was next directed to The Dressing Room where Abbi Greenland and Helen Goalen of Rash Dash theatre  played two star struck girls who moved out of the audience and over the forbidden rope of the room.  Star struck they stepped into the sacred space of their diva idol- only to discover betrayal and unleash the freedom of illicit inner desire.
Both the plays I saw were compelling, moving and funny.
It was a great experience to be part of the drama, to move from one set to another in different and unusual parts of the theatre,  fluid, exciting, participatory which had the audience thrown together, mixing and talking with each other exploring their own individual awarenesses of the drama as it unfolded.
Alas Theatre Brothel at Hull Truck is only here for a short period- June 14 to 18. Get down whilst you can an extraordinary and very rewarding experience Hull Truck has again brought to Yorkshire the very best in theatre experience.

Eve Winterburn
YorkshireGigGuide
http://www.hulltruck.co.uk/home