Bristol’s month in jazz – June 2022

Firstly – apologies for late delivery: this has had to come from Planet Omicron which is a long, long way away. Secondly – even three quarters of a month in Bristol is stuffed full of many and varied jazz-minded delights, including the return of Mark Lockheart’s splendid electro-pop and rock inspired Dreamers project (pictured above, Fringe Jazz, Wed 29). Not to be missed, that one.

The awesome piano technique and unique musical imagination of John Law has produced many distinctive and impressive projects and his all-star electro-acoustic quartet Congregation (St George’s, Thur 23) is the latest. It’s a fascinating combination of minimalism, jazz and cinematic soundscapes coming to the hall as the echoes of minimalist electro-producer William Basinski (Sat 11) might still reverberate. Fans of Mr Basinski might also want to catch Tapesleep creator Sean Addicott as part of an electronica triple bill at Exchange (Mon 13).

No batteries will be needed for the Ed Jones & Andy Hague Quintet gig (Bebop Club, Thur 30) when forceful US3 saxophonist Ed makes a welcome return to Bristol, joining his regular bass player Riaan Vosloo and local piano whizz Jim Blomfield with rising star Alex Goodyear on drums. It’s a tough call, however, as the same night also sees the longstanding pairing of vocalist Sarah Colman and pianist Rebecca Nash appear with Henryk Jensen on bass in the Beacon Foyer – sure to be a great exploration of Sarah’s own songs and some memorable classics.

There’s a fine range of diverse approaches to guitar playing on offer across the month, notably including the contrasting acoustic double bill of Yasmin Williams and Gwenifer Raymond (Wardrobe, Wed 15). While both draw on the post-folk acoustic guitar styles of the late 60s US soloist Yasmin creates intricately melodic pieces while Gwenifer delivers pounding minimalism in the American Primitive style developed by John Fahey. Both are astonishing virtuoso players. Jazz guitarist Adam Stokes brings his trio to The Raven (Sun 12), part of the Clare Street pub’s Sunday Jazz Conspiracy session – a welcome regular addition to the scene. Then, on Tuesday 14, the duo of desert-blues guitarist Justin Adams and Moroccan guembri player Mohamed Errebbaa pops into Friendly Records for a masterclass in dervish grooves and dazzling finger work. Later that week Pat Metheny-inspired jazz guitarist Matt Hopkins leads his quartet at The Bebop (Thur 16), then Martin Mexme showcases his upbeat Worldwide Experiment alongside Math-minded guitar trio King Heron (Gallimaufry, Tue 21) and jazz-rock guitarist Dan Waldman comes to Canteen (Wed 29). In between all those electrifying experiences, however, it’s good to see El Rincon hosting the reunion of Cuffy and Kevin Byrne (Thur 23): a once-familiar pairing of two of the best Flamenco guitarists to have graced the local scene. Finally, on Sunday 26, guitarist Knud Stuwe showcases his North African Oud alongside composer Daphna Sadeh’s bass as Eastern Strings (Canteen).

Another stylish jazz guitarist, John Parricelli was often seen hereabouts back in the day in partnership with saxophonist Andy Sheppard. He returns as part of trumpeter Chris Batchelor’s Zoetic (Beacon Foyer, Sun 12), a big-name quintet playing Chris’ smartly composed contemporary music. Bebop Club mainstay Andy Hague takes his excellent Horace Silver tribute sextet Silverado to Fringe Jazz (Wed 8), with pianist Jim Blomfield yet again demonstrating his ever-impressive range as a jazz player. But then Jim appears the next night (Thur 9) alongside Cuban trumpeter Michel Padron in their regular quartet for a set of Latin-jazz numbers. It must surely be recognised soon that Jim’s mastery of Latin playing can put him at the forefront of the UK jazz scene.

It’s a bumper month for the Bebop, topped off with the rescheduled appearance of Cardiff tenor player Joe Northwood’s Impressions quartet (Thur 23) – a tribute to John Coltrane, the inspiration for Joe’s own career (and countless others, of course). Just down the road El Rincon has another couple of tasty treats, firstly with Invisible Apples (Thur 16), the duo of pianist/composer John Baggott and trumpeter Pete Judge, and then the pairing of jazz singer Victoria Klewin with guitarist Denny Ilett (Thur 30). You can also catch Victoria with her regular quartet at The Raven (Sun 26) and that venue will also have hosted vocalist and trumpet player Marvin Monueke’s Quartet (Sun 19).

Looking towards the left-field, LA-based electro-harpist Mary Lattimore appears at the Friday 17 Schwet Club (Strange Brew), following a night of synth overload from Utopia Strong supported by guitar explorer Stereocilia (Strange Brew, Thur 16). Percussion iconoclast Dan Johnson has a solo show at The Lightship (Fri 10) but you can also catch his partnership with improv doyenne Tina Hitchens exploring Pauline Oliveros’ conceptual Deep Listening at D-UNit (Sat 18). Further avant garde unexpectedness features at The Cube when Ailie Ormston and Tim Fraser headline at The Quak Club (Sat 25).

Of course there a thread of brass-bound grooves and funk-fuelled dance energy across June, starting with the all-star session quartet Dusk Art Rhythm Collective (Canteen, Thur 9), followed by an all-too rare appearance of the mighty Smerins Anti-Social Club (Loco Club, Fri 17) and the soul-jazz collective Heyouki (Canteen, Thur 30). For a more bucolic experience you can catch the Brass Junkies going walkabout just outside Bristol in the Walled Garden at Belmont House (Sat 18) – weather permitting, presumably) while the powerfully political Brass Against will be raging against various machines at The Fleece (Tue 28).

Fans of musical things African will be delighted to welcome the remarkable Fulu Miziki (Strange Brew, Thur 30) – the collective from Kampala that made their own instruments and a uniquely distinctive percussion-driven sound. They round off a string of Afro-centric nights including: Newen Afrobeat (Lost Horizon, Fri 17), Kenyan popsters Sauti Sol (Thekla, Tue 21) and the WOMAD favourite all-female vocal supergroup Les Amazons D’Afriques (Jam Jar, Fri 24).

And finally – a quick round-up of jam sessions: Donut Filler (Mr Wolf’s, every Tuesday), Mothership Connection Funk Jam (Gallimaufry, Thur 9), Stone Cold Funk Jam (Canteen, Wed 15), old-school Hot Jazz Jam (Hare on the Hill, Wed 22) and the fortnightly Friendly Trad Session (Friendly Records, Wed 15/Wed 29). Just do it!