The week in Jazz February 12 -18

For a man with an imminent jazz festival to pull together it’s impressive that jazz guitarist Denny Ilett can find the time to get out gigging twice this week. The Artistic Director of next month’s Bristol International Jazz and Blues Festival (March 15-18) will be guesting with ultra-grooving Hammond ’n’drums duo Osmoid (Gallimaufry, Tuesday 13) before jointly leading the Denny Ilett & Dave Newton Quartet at The Bebop (Friday 16). The latter should be an especially stonking gig, boasting as it does Riaan Vosloo on bass and Kasabian drummer Ian Matthews – a mighty rhythm section – while the melodic dueling between Denny and pianist Dave will be a treat. Demand is expected to be huge so early reservation of tickets will be essential.

Scott Bradlee and tribe

Of course it’s already too late to get tickets for Andy Sheppard’s Pushy Doctors sell-out return to the Fringe (Wednesday 14) but you can still get in to Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox (Colston Hall, Friday 16). For a novelty covers band – they do swing/jazz reworkings of pop and rock classics – the sprawling US collective has amassed an impressive global reputation thanks to tight musicianship and shameless helpings of razzmatazz.

Bluenotes by the seaside

You couldn’t accuse Sound of Bluenote (Future Inn, Thursday 15) of unduly exploiting showbiz trickery to sell their impeccable evocation of 50s and 60s modern jazz. Led by Terry Quinney’s sax and Andy Urquhart on trumpet the band summon the mighty spirits of Hank Mobley, Freddie Hubbard and other classic players from one of jazz’ golden era. Classics revisited will be the order of the day over at El Rincon on the same evening when the Sophie Stockham Duo sees a new pairing for the Dakhla saxophonist with keyboard maestro Vyv Hope-Scott. The tiny tapas bar welcomes another twosome on Friday night when Pippa Marland and Rob King appear as Carmina, the small version of their excellent Celtic/Jazz fusion project, now celebrating 30 years.

Afrobeater Dele Sosimi

It’s a tricky week for fans of Afrobeat, with local veterans Helele making a welcome return (Crofters Rights, Friday 16) on the same night that Dele Sosimi appears at Kuumba. Set up by Cameroonian master musician Alphonse Touna, Helele has always comprised some of Bristol’s smartest jazz musicians and it’s great to see them appearing again. Dele Sosimi, however, was keyboard player in the late Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80 band and brings his 7-piece Afrobeat Orchestra. Whichever you choose it’ll be a hot night but you should be saving some energy for Mansion of Snakes who appear at Attic the next night. This 12-strong jazz behemoth straddle Afrobeat and Ethiopiques-style funk with aplomb.

Fat Suit go kind of blue.

Another big band experience comes to Old Market Assembly (Friday 16) in the shape of Scotland’s Fat Suit. Combining a string and brass frontline and a no-nonsense rhythm section the band’s ambitious arrangements and compositions can evoke anything from hardcore funk to vintage Weather Report and even folk melodies.

The Most Trio

And finally … the impressive looping saxophone busker aka Mr Woodnote comes to Canteen leading The Most Trio (Saturday 17) with accomplices Jimvincible (bass) and Alex Lupo (drums). In-your-face grooves and relentless energy are guaranteed.