Bristol’s jazz month – December 2021

Well assuming the Omigod Variant doesn’t do for them (or us) there’s a fine flurry of jazz gigs lined up ready to round off Bristol’s year. With most of them scheduled up to the 17th maybe we might even get to see them before the traditional Christmas Lockdown ensues. Here’s a quick run-through of some of the highlights …

One standout among the month’s hot visitors must be corto:alto (Saturday 11, Jam Jar). The Glasgow collective led by trombonist Liam Shortall are the latest signing to Bristol-based Worm Discs who released their debut album Not For Now in late November. Despite having started as a ‘studio’ project in Liam’s flat (see video!) their live reputation has exploded since the summer. Other tasty visiting treats include Sunda Arc (Wednesday 8, Jam Jar), the electronica project of Mammal Hands’ siblings Nick and Jordan Smart and the eclectic post-classical Manchester Collective (Tuesday 7, Strange Brew). St George’s will also feature the classic African-hued hard bop of Darius Brubeck’s excellent Quartet (Thursday 16) and Fringejazz will once again be hosting Iain Ballamy and Jason Rebello’s popular annual exploration of Christmas songs (Wednesday 15, Bristol Music Club) – the only blatantly seasonal gig on offer and always managing to stay just the right side of schmaltzy.

Two exciting gigs from locally-based saxophonists warrant special attention, the first being the unveiling of Kevin Figes’ all-new Wallpaper Music (Wednesday 8, Fringejazz). The band’s imminently released album is a feast of creativity, referencing all kinds of late 20th century musical styles, with vocalist Brigitte Beraha’s crystalline voice superbly showcased by deft arrangements and fine playing. Meanwhile James Morton (pictured at top of page) has revived Porkchop (Thursday 9, Ashton Court, Wednesday 15 The Bell). The organ-driven quartet was one of his best projects, bringing together his skills as both a jazz and groove player in excellent and memorable compositions that reflected his mentors Pee Wee Ellis and Andy Sheppard. It’s good to see both Wallpaper Music and Porkchop getting prestigious gigs on the London scene, too, and equally great to see sometime Morton collaborator Celestine bringing her peerless soul-jazz vocals to the Bristol Beacon Foyer (Thursday 16).

And there’s a clutch of great quintets on offer: Wallpaper keyboard player Jim Blomfield’s fiery five-strong collaboration with trumpeter Michel Padron is coming to the Bebop (Thursday 2, Hen & Chicken), following close on the heels of the suave Blue Note-inspired Jazz Defenders gig at Fringejazz (Wednesday 1, Bristol Music Club) with Defenders’ tenor saxophonist Nick Dover reappearing in the Greg Cordez Quintet (Wednesday 9, Bebop Club). Bass player Greg’s all-star fivesome will be featuring tracks from his lyrical instrumental album Magnolia, recorded in New York. Guitarist Dan Waldman (who also has close ties with the Big Apple) brings another all-star quintet to the Bebop (Thursday 16) with the aim of celebrating that 60s hard bop sound. Tenor sax maestro Jake McMurchie will be joining Dan, but also plays in Sophie Stockham’s stylish contemporary jazz quintet Orfic at the Canteen (Saturday 4) while Dan goes on to feature in the intriguing Scratch (Tuesday 14, Gallimaufry), a new soul and funk project that also includes Jazz Defender George Cooper and bass player Eric Mylod-Okafo.

The free and fearless scene continues to be just that, with an exciting evening at The Cube featuring an evening of ‘composed and improvised earthly drones’ performed by multi-instrumentalist Alison Cotton and electro-saxophonist Lara Jones (Sunday 5) that should be one of December’s highlights. Waldo’s Gift uber-guitarist Alun Elliot-Williams reveals his Tiny Chapter solo project at The Wardrobe (Monday 6) and ambient mood maker Sean Addicott comes to the Exchange (Wednesday 8). Strange Brew continues to offer a welcoming home to the exploratory, with a brace of eclectic Schwet nights (Thursday 9, Sunday 12) and the unlikely idea of a ‘single launch’ from the powerhouse improv Iceman Furniss Quartet (Tuesday 14).

And, finally, for those of a worldly disposition, there’s an atlas-full of global music on the jazz fringes this month, starting with an evening of Words and Music curated by festival veteran Thomas Brooman (Friday 3, Strange Brew) the night before the Ernest Ranglin inspired Jazz Reggae Sessions feature in The Attic’s reggae night (Saturday 4). The Bell  showcases WOMAD favourite, desert-guitar doyen and Robert Plant sideman Justin Adams (Wednesday 8) in his duo with gimbri player Mohamed Errabbaa and then Congolese Soukous legend Kanda Bongo Man comes to Fiddlers (Thursday 9) with an 8-piece band for a rousing dance party. If your funky stuff is up for even more shaking then check out the gnawa-inspired Electric Jalaba (Friday 10, Jam Jar) and Snazzback spin-off Global Groove Experiment (Saturday 11, Mr Wolf’s) – both offering irresistible grooves and quality musicianship. The Bell then lays it on thick with jazz-hop gang Antimatador (Monday 20) and the eternally funky World Government (Wednesday 22). After all that dancefloor relentlessness it’s possible a lockdown might even come as something of a relief.

For reasons of space this selection is not fully comprehensive – check venue websites for further gig information.