Music / Jazz
The week in Jazz, June 11-17
Regulars to the Jazzata sessions above the Hen & Chicken in Southville know to expect some very judiciously chosen jazz from the wider UK scene and beyond. Since his time at The Albert Inn promoter Ian Storrer has been bringing big name jazz to Bedminster for decades, so when he books a comparatively new and young combo it behoves us all to pay attention. The Jam Experiment is quintet of London players all just beginning their twenties yet already garnering attention and awards both individually and as a group, not least trombonist Rory Ingham who, at 21, has a star-studded list of sideman gigs, narrowly missed winning Trombonist of The Year at the 2016 British Jazz Awards but netted the Rising Star gong at last year’s ceremony. Despite the name the Jam Experiment is an extremely assured unit, tight as the proverbial nut, and definitely heading for the top.
Paul McCandless
There’s no need to speculate about the standing of versatile US reed player Paul McCandless (Michael Tippett Centre, Bath Spa University, Thursday 14). He was a founder member of the world music inspired group Oregon in 1970 which has gone on to release 28 albums including three on ECM records. He’s touring his own compositions with the Charged Particles trio and the gig will also feature the BSU Big Band.
Ian Matthews off of Kasabian
Another big name, albeit playing sort-of incognito is Kasabian drummer Ian Matthews, a fine and funky stick-wielder whose promotion to rock’s Premier League never diminished his enthusiasm for playing downtown jazz gigs around his hometown Bristol. This Wednesday (13) sees him at The Fringe with the duo of violinist John Pearce and pianist Dave Newton and Will Harris playing bass – four familiar and well-loved faces at the Clifton venue that should guarantee a hot night. Another set of Fringe favourites – Moscow Drug Club – show up at St George’s the next night (Thursday 14), with support from acoustic trio Tango Calor featuring the splendidly authentic vocals of Indira Raman.
is needed now More than ever
Andy Nowak
Thursday night also sees contemporary pianist and composer Andy Nowak bring his A.N.t trio to Future Inn to no doubt showcase their latest album Reset, a set of original tunes with Andy’s distinctive gift for spacious melody and effortless construction taken another step forward. Even more ambient leanings inform Totnes-based sax/guitar/loops duo Jazzient making their El Rincon debut that same evening.
Wenonoah – do you?
There’s a similarly crowded menu for the improv scene on Sunday (17), with the mysterious Dark Kitchen kicking things off at The Exchange’s Sunday matinee free music session. More familiar improv names – Foster/Grigg/Kelly/Sneddon – headline a later triple bill in the Mother’s Ruin basement while the crypt of St Paul’s Church in Southville also hosts a triple bill of maverick solo acts including the unclassifiable voice and electronics artist Daniel Higgs and Howling Owl ‘fine flesh pop’ purveyor Wenonoah. All this happens the day after Crofter’s Rights features DIY psychedelica band Agarimo (Saturday 16) in a three strong programme and the Old England re-Joyces in a multi-arts celebration of Bloomsday.
Sisandah (right) with guitarist Mark Lawrence
A couple of African treats appear this week, with Nigerian bass player Femi Sofela’s Afrobeat septet Femi & The In Rhythms coming to the Fleece (Tuesday 12) and South African vocalist Sisanda Nilsson’s Sisanda Duo playing at Pasture restaurant (Saturday 16). Femi’s outfit play hardball jazz-funk with Lagos swagger, while Sisanda’s soulful melodies combine a contemporary soul-jazz sound with her musical roots.
Core trio of Slamboree’s ‘pyro circus rave massive’
Other strongly jazz-influenced acts coming this week include hip-hop fusioneers Laimu (Mr Wolf’s, Tuesday 12) and ubercool jazz-pop songwriter Jamie Isaac who appears live at Rough Trade (Thursday 14). Possibly the most outré (if not outrageous) might be theatrical cabaret behemoth Slamboree (Marble Factory, Friday 15) whose multilayered cross-genre fusions are the soundtrack to their ‘pyro circus rave massive’ show. It’s all too much – but that’s the general idea.
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
