Upcoming Gigs

Bobby Hutcherson

Bobby Hutcherson is nothing short of a legend. One of the defining vibraphonists of his generation, he has been intermittently represented on record, with a twelve-year run on Blue Note starting in the mid-sixties and regular releases on Landmark through the eighties. Hutcherson is most famous for a series of sideman appearances on some of the defining modern jazz albums of the 1960s: Eric Dolphy's Out to Lunch, Jackie McLean’s One Step Beyond and others by Grant Green, Andrew Hill, and Tony Williams.

e.s.t.

e.s.t. is a phenomenon: A jazz trio, which sees itself as a pop band that plays jazz, which broke with the tradition of leader and sidemen in favour of equality within its members, which not only plays jazz venues but also venues usually reserved for rock bands, which uses light effects and fog-machines in their live shows, which gets a whole audience to sing-a-long with jazz-standards such as Thelonius Monk’s “Bemsha Swing”. e.s.t. is a trio that goes far beyond the scope of the usual classic jazz trio.

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“I think we all have the impression that things are changing right now,” says Michael Wollny, one of European jazz’s leading young musicians. Wollny is right. Something is in the air. Across Europe, musicians, promoters, record companies, commentators and fans are gradually becoming aware that European jazz is in the ascendancy. Indeed, some of the most interesting, challenging and dynamic jazz around is no longer just coming from its land of origin, but from the Old World.

Finn Peters

Winner of the 2007 BBC Jazz Awards Best Band.

One of the finest flautists and alto sax players in the UK, Finn is incredibly versatile, performing and composing in a wide range of musical styles. A founder member of the contemporary classical musical group Noszferatu, Finn is equally adept at recording Radio 3 concerts to sessions in the studio with such reputed names as DJ Spinna, 4 Hero, Trip do Brasil, The Herbaliser and IG Culture, to name but a few. He has also toured with 2 Banks of 4, Sam Rivers, Jhelisa, Tony Allen and SA-RA, not to mention his Latin credentials with Giovanni Hildago, Jimmy Bosch and Bobby Matos.

Geoff Gascoyne

Geoff Gascoyne was born in Nottingham, England, on November 23rd 1963. He was attracted to music at an early age, starting with the piano at the age of 6. Formal Classical training lead him to the passing of the Grade 8 examination at the age of only 13. Soon after that, his love of the popular music of the day and the need for musicians in local groups encouraged him to take up the electric bass.

Gerard Presencer

Gerard Presencer has become widely respected as one of the finest trumpet players in the world. Having established himself as a soloist, studio musician and session player, he has received critical acclaim for his 3 solo albums.

His playing credits cross musical genres and he has recorded with many leading artists including Sting, Robbie Williams, Ray Charles, Herbie Hancock, Joni Mitchell and Chick Corea. He has also played on and arranged for a variety of performers including Charlie Watts, Incognito, Zero 7 and Will Young.

Get The Blessing

GET THE BLESSING - ALL IS YES (BBC Jazz Awards 2008 Best Album nomination)

One of the most original and exciting bands to emerge in years, Get The Blessing embarked on a triumphant summer tour at the beginning of June 2008, including performances on the Jazz-World Stage at the world famous Glastonbury Festival, at the Big Chill Festival in the idyllic surrounds of Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire and at both jazz venues and indie-rock clubs across the country.

Kaki King

Kaki King has never been one for convention. Her third album, ...Until We Felt Red, is certainly no exception. Over the last few years, she has enjoyed well-earned status as the zeit-girl of instrumental acoustic guitar; a gifted young ingénue closing rank on the canonized heroes of the genre. Now, with ...Until We Felt Red, she bests herself and defies expectation again—ditching her acoustic for an electric, lap steel and perhaps, the most unexpected instrument of all: her own voice.

Kyle Eastwood

Kyle Eastwood grew up in Carmel California. His first memories are of jazz and of his father, Clint Eastwood, taking him to the Monterey Jazz Festival as a child. While doing his homework, Kyle remembers listening to records of jazz stars such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Miles Davis playing in the house. Like any child raised by enthusiastic jazz loving parents, an awareness and love of music soaks in quickly. There was something magnetic about watching someone play for an audience that completely captivated the young Kyle.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Ladysmith Black Mambazo represents the traditional culture of South Africa and is regarded as the country's cultural emissary at home and around the world. In 1993, at Nelson Mandela's request, Ladysmith Black Mambazo accompanied the future President to the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway. Mambazo sang again at President Mandela's inauguration in May of 1994. They are a national treasure of the new South Africa in part because they embody the traditions suppressed in the old South Africa.