Monday 27 August 2012

September is the time for that friendliest of Leeds gatherings...

September is the time for that friendliest of Leeds gatherings, the Chapel Allerton Arts Festival weekend that starts on Friday 31 August and runs through to Sunday 2 September in Regent Street, Chapel Allerton, Leeds

The Jazz Sunday on 2nd September 12.30-5.30pm is programmed by Seven Jazz and showcases some of the best of up and coming bands from the Leeds area.

The line-up for the Jazz Sunday of the festival is as follows

12.30pm Garforth Jazz Rock Band: directed by Dave Evans: energy, enthusiasm, musicality, fun from this huge youth orchestra.

1.30 Kate Peters Septet: pure jazz entertainment from popular jazz vocalist Kate Peters, Matt Anderson on tenor sax, Ian Chalk on trumpet, Aubin Vanns on guitar, Martin Longhawn on piano, John Marley on bass and Sam Gardner on drums

2.30 New York Brass Band: jazz and pop classics reworked for jazz brass band by new (and not so new!) kids on the block - Chris Caulfield and Simon Dennis on trumpet, Andrew Cox on tenor sax, Charlie Lancaster and Tim Hurst on trombone, James Lancaster on tuba, Rod Macnamara on drums

3.30 Yoruba: award winning jazz/salsa fusion with Greg Nichols trumpet, Ben Lowman alto sax, John Waugh tenor saxophone, Aron Kyne piano, Sam Vicary bass guitar, Ali Mac percussion, Tim Carter drums

4.30 Love Society: a choir from South Africa with  Thandanani Gumede, Nobuhle Mhlongo, Bongi Gwala, Mzwandile Ngema, Khethukuthula Kheswa and Xolani Mbatha accompanied by a jazz sextet featuring the piano of Dave Evans, bass Barry Ricarby, drums Alex Wibrew, trumpet James Hamilton, sax Sam Thornton and trombone Ric Colley

All this for the price of a £3 contribution to the Chapel Allerton Festival buckets!

Also there is lots of jazz or jazz related music elsewhere in the festival too this year - watch out on Friday for Seven Jazz favourite James Hamilton in Hope and Social and on Saturday for a cappella female jazz vocal group Solaris, soul n blues from the Terry Shalatiel band, traditional jazz from White Eagles Jazzmen, Dudley Nesbitt with his student pan band, Joe Tatton with Rodina, the funky Haggis Horns and the East Park Reggae Collective featuring Jonny Tomlinson, Scott Devine, Anna Stott and more

Our Sunday afternoons start back again the following week at Seven Arts, 31 Harrogate Road, LS73PD as follows.

Sunday afternoon 9 September 1pm: Rafael Karlen Quintet
Rafael Karlen- tenor saxophone, Kim Macari- trumpet, Zezo Olimpio- piano, Georg Rüschenmeyer- bass, Dave Smyth- drums
Rafael Karlen is an Australian composer, arranger and jazz saxophonist currently based in York. He performs in a number of jazz and contemporary music ensembles, and has toured extensively, receiving attention as one of the most important musicians of his generation on the Australian Jazz scene. Drawing on influences ranging from the music of Keith Jarrett, Wayne Shorter, Kenny Wheeler, Ornette Coleman and Morton Feldman, all the quintet members collectively stretch and contribute. This will be one of the last chances of getting to hear Rafael before he returns down under. £5/4 concessions, kids under 16 free, doors open at 1pm, music 1.30-4pm

Sunday afternoon 16 September 1pm: Jenny Smith Quintet
Jenny Smith-vocals, Andy Cholerton- piano, Richard Hammond- bass, Paul Smith- drums, Al Morrison- guitar, Jim Corry- sax
Chapel Allerton’s own popular young jazz singer fronts a talented group playing arrangements of classic jazz standards, stylish soul ballads and funky blues tunes.
£5/4 concessions, kids under 16 free, doors open at 1pm, music 1.30-4pm


Sunday afternoon 23 September: Mikayo Jazz Quartet
Pete Lyons (tenor sax), Alex Baker (alto sax), Rich Keates (double bass), Johnny Hunter (drums)
New and exciting Sheffield-based jazz quartet formed to explore the flexible format of the chordless quartet. From Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker in the '50s, through to Ornette Coleman's '60s bands to Dave Holland and others in the '90s, the piano-less quartet has come a long way. "Miyako" have a contemporary take on this tradition with brand new compositions, drawing on many aspects of the modern jazz heritage. Good to see tenor saxman Pete Lyons at Seven at last too.
£5/4 concessions, kids under 16 free, doors open at 1pm, music 1.30-4pm


Thursday evening 27th September 8pm : Quentin Collins-Brandon Allen quartet
Quentin Collins- trumpet, Brandon Allen -tenor sax, Ros Stanley- organ and Enzo Zirilli- drums
The first of our evening international concerts of the autumn will be one to savour. Trumpeter Quentin Collins and tenor saxophonist Brandon Allen share inspiration in the glory days of hard bop and the music of Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley and its other great proponents. Interesting melodies and well-crafted solos played over a swinging organ-and-drums rhythm section. The band are due to top the bill at this year’s Scarborough jazz festival.
£15/12 concessions are available in advance from Seven Arts 0113 26 26 777, online from “We Got Tickets” http://www.wegottickets.com/event/178109 or on the door. Stand by tickets for full time students are £5 on the door only (we usually squeeze people in!). Doors open 8pm for the concert- music is 8.30-11pm.


Sunday afternoon 30 September 1pm: European Union Quintet
  
Iman Spaargaren-sax, Dan Whieldon -piano,  Ulrich Elbracht - guitar, Gavin Barras- bass, Marek Dorcik drums
No jokes about the euro, please. We're doing our bit for euro-unity at Seven Jazz. Atmosphere and emotions are key words for this combination of a Dutch, a German, a Slovak and English jazz musicians that for the European Union Quintet. British bass player Gavin Barras and Dutch saxophonist Iman Spaargaren got inspired to work together and form a European band. They have been joined by Slovakian drummer Marek Dorcik and German guitar player Ulrich Elbracht joined the group. Dan Whieldon, a fine young English jazz pianist completes the group.
£5/4 concessions, kids under 16 free, doors open at 1pm, music 1.30-4pm


Jazz Workshops
Our Autumn 2012 series of tutored jazz workshops start on Saturday 8 September and continue on Saturday 22 September. These are held at Seven Arts, 31A Harrogate Road, Leeds, LS7 3PD 2-30 to 4-30 pm and cost £10/£8 concessions. We usually work towards playing two or three numbers as part of our ‘Jazz Café’ on Sunday afternoon 25 November. Workshop members need to have some experience of playing (say a couple of years), and an interest in jazz, though not necessarily in playing it – just a willingness to have a go!  Sight reading experience is useful but not essential. Contact Jean Watson by email at jeanwatsonlifeskills@hotmail.com or phone 0113 237 0700 or speak to us at our Sunday afternoon jazz or at any of our evening jazz concerts.

Dominic Moore runs our Seven jazz improvisation group at the Methodist Centre, Chapel Allerton for more experienced players. Dom brings charts for the group to play through. The dates in September are Friday 14th and 28th £5 per session, 7.30-10pm. Some facility at jazz reading and improvisation is helpful. Contact Dominic Moore: dominicgmoore@hotmail.com

For all details of all our events and latest news updates see us on www.sevenjazz.co.uk, follow us on Twitter or befriend us on our Seven Jazz facebook page.

Look forward to seeing you soon at Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton, 31 Harrogate Road, Leeds LS3 3PD!

Steve Crocker
Seven Jazz Leeds- Jazz Yorkshire club of the year 2012

Wednesday 22 August 2012

Leeds Underground finale

 After a glorious week-long festival, Leeds Underground finally came to a resounding conclusion across multiple venues hosting the last night. 
These were the Empire, Carpe Diem, The Grove Inn and Oporto.
 I opted for the Carpe Diem to start with, where I was treated to the delights of  Bury The Ladybird who's raw, pulsating rhythms and lyrics had the audience cheering, dancing and jumping. 

Then I went off to the Grove Inn and enjoyed a  change of pace with pure acoustic music played to a full room with standing space only.
 The Yorkshire Gig Guide and Yorkshire Music Collective would like to thank all the participants of this
year's Underground - All the venues, the sound personnel, bar staff and volunteers who worked so hard to make this a festival to remember, and all who contributed towards the featured charity of Martin House Children's Hospice at Boston Spa near Leeds.
Already looking forward to next year.
Denis
Yorkshire Gig Guide





Sunday 19 August 2012

Leeds Underground @ the New Conservatory - What a Night!



 Yorkshire Gig Guide hosted the Leeds Underground gig at the New Conservatory last night and WHAT A NIGHT!!!
Kicking off was one of the Battle of the Bands winners Traffic Wire. A young, talented band who set the pace for the evening leading us nicely into Asio's Eyes, another talented young band hailing from York. This band has recently reinvented itself from the original duo who we first met at Limetree Festival. As if this was not enough we then listened to Sharp Darts - a Bradford band who emphasise the local talent in that area.
Traffic Wire
We were now getting close to our headliners but first we were treated to the sounds of Kascarade who are another Bradford band - just check out the talent this city produces - who put the icing on the cake of entertainment before the appearance on stage of the legendary Tom Hingley performing with his band Not In Education.
A wonderful night was had by all. We must not forget that this was in aid of the Underground charity Martin House Children's Hospice. Over the 3 nights at The New Conservatory more than £100 was raised. Thanks to everyone who made a donation.
On behalf of Yorkshire Gig Guide I would like especially to thank Sam and Festival Jimmy for their sterling work as our sound men who gave their time freely and were endorsed by Tom Hingley who said they were polite, professional and extremely helpful, and complimented the quality of sound on the night.
Sadly the evening was over all too soon but for more wonderful music the Leeds Underground Festival continues at various venues until 22nd August.
For times and places check out the website www.undergroundfest.co.uk

Sharp Darts
Thanks also to Nic at the New Conservatory for all his support and providing a superb venue over the three days,
Denis
Yorkshire Gig Guide
Asio's Eyes



Kascarade





Tom Hingley and Not In Education







Thursday 16 August 2012

Leeds Underground 2012 Begins...


British Racing Green
Starting tonight until the 22nd August the Leeds Underground is now fully under way taking in eleven popular public houses and entertaining us with a varying selection of music to suit everyone. 
I chose at this opening night to go to The Well at Joseph's Well. I was thoroughly entertained by British Racing Green and Sharp Darts. 
British Racing Green
 My spys tell me that Carpe Diem was packed with enthusiastic music goers hosted by This and That. Empire was having a good night hosting various bands including The Wax Collection and the Tom Gee Band. Some of the venues had open mic nights, Baby Jupiter was in full swing with Chris Martin and Garry Cooper. 
Sharp Darts
This is just a sample of what you can expect in the following days.

Metal Fringe is also running from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th August and don't forget the Yorkshire Gig Guide night featuring Tom Hingley (Inspiral carpets) and Steve Hanley (The Fall) at the New Conservatory on the 18th August. 
Sharp Darts
Underground BadgeTickets are still available on line at the discount price £5 from  Yorkshire Ticket Shop
Denis
Yorkshire Gig Guide

Saturday 4 August 2012

Leeds underground taster at the Grove

Today was the beginning of a two day festival running at The Grove in Leeds in aid of Martin House Children's Hospice. This is a pre-taster of the week long Underground Leeds Festival (16th to 22nd August). There are two stages to The Grove festival, one taking place inside and one outside the building. A varied mix of very talented artists have turned out for this very worthy cause. If you are free tomorrow I urge you to go down to this venue and have a great time!
Russ Graves
Enjoying the show
Michelle Dalgety looking on
Mystery Soup
Dariush Kanani
Dave Kalvert
Topher
Having fun


Tickets for the Leeds Underground are available on line at the Yorkshire Gig Guide ticket shop and at various venues throughout the city.
Cross Cut Saw
Hmmmmm!
Cross Cut Saw
http://yorkshiregigguide.ohdeemhacone.com/index.html
 Denis
Yorkshire Gig Guide