Music / contemporary jazz
Top-notch jazz gets the Nod
When January’s planned Bath Jazz Weekend 2022 fell victim to the dreaded you-know-what it was a big blow to the Bristol and Bath jazz scene. The annual three-day minifest of star studded jazz had proved to be a fine way to welcome the New Year and would have shaken off any lockdown cobwebs but, alas, it was not to be.
No-one was more disappointed than promoter Nod Knowles who had dreamed up the project in 2019 as part of his All Of The Above (AOTA) music event programme based at the Widcombe Social Club in Bath. But his many years on the UK and European jazz scenes have made him an indefatigable sort of guy and now he’s having a birthday party to mark AOTA’s first successful five years (and possibly a ‘big number’ anniversary of his own?).
Kevin Figes (sax) Photo: Tony Benjamin
Naturally we’re talking a night of top quality jazz to be held at the Widcombe Social Club on Friday April 22, with some party fizz, food and surprises on the night, which also launches a Crowdfunder campaign to support AOTA’s future events. The live music will come from saxophonist Kevin Figes new Turning Corners band, a jazz-rock collaboration with guitarist Denny Ilett that also includes Chris Jones on bass and Kasabian drummer Ian Matthews (pictured at top). The band sets out to reconquer familiar tunes from Led Zeppelin to Soft machine via The Beatles and Latin legend Carlos Jobim.
is needed now More than ever
Tony Orrell (drums) Photo: Tony Benjamin
Nod’s known for his support for improvised musical spontaneity so free-spirited drummer Tony Orrell’s topically named Last Minute Meter Readers duo with trombonist Ralph Clarkson is a fine choice to complete the bill. Whatever they will play is of course impossible to predict but it will definitely be worth catching as part of an evening to celebrate a local hero and one of the country’s top advocates for live jazz.
The AOTA 5th Birthday Party is at Widcombe Social Club, Bath on Friday April 22. Complimentary tickets can also be obtained for donations to the AOTA Crowdfunder site.
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
