The week in Jazz June 4-10

When James Morton released The Kid in 2016 the album’s title was an ironic nod to the saxophonist’s emergence as a teenage fireball on the pre-Millennium Bristol jazz scene. Gigging from his early teens, his alto sax style was largely forged on stage as he absorbed lessons from mentors Pee Wee Ellis – precision, economy and groove – and Andy Sheppard – restraint, balance and lyrical eloquence. Among many highpoints in James’ career his stint at the Luna Club in Clifton through the Noughties established him as a local hero, bringing a new young audience to some great late night sessions with his band Porkchop. There’s a strong echo of those days in the James Morton Band which plays The Fringe this week (Wednesday 6), with Denny Ilett’s guitar and Ian Matthews’ drumming joined by Anders Olinder on keyboards, with hard-grooving funk, soul-jazz and boogaloo surely on the menu.

Sam Massey

Having made a strong impression at The Bebop with his jazz-funk Ensemble last year young Devon trumpeter Sam Massey  returns to Bristol with a jazz foursome gig at Future Inn (Thursday 7). The quartet comprises pianist Toby Boalch, Will Harris on bass and Mark Whitlam’s drumming with Sam playing trumpet and flugelhorn in a set of his own compositions and arrangements in a classic hard bop style reminiscent of the likes of Clifford Brown. Andy Hague’s bop-worthy trumpet pops up at The Bebop next day (Friday 8) when the Andy Hague Quintet plays what is very much a ‘home gig’ to close the club’s season before the summer break. The band formed at the club many moons ago and the front-line combination of Andy with saxophonist Ben Waghorn and pianist Jim Blomfield has been constant pleasure since its earliest days. The quality of their musicianship has enabled Andy to develop his fine set of original tunes and arrangements that are refreshed by the excellent solo playing.

Wasabi heating things up

Another regular jazz night breaks for the summer with style on Tuesday (5) at Mr Wolf’s. With three live acts, an early start and a late finish the Bristol University Jazz Funk & Soul Society’s JFStival should be a splendidly over-excited affair, and 9-strong funksters Wasabi will have the place heaving for sure. If, however, you prefer things to be calmer then maybe the Zen-influenced Dharma Blues night put together by guitarist Lewis Creaven at the Gallimaufry on the same evening would be more appropriate. There’s also UK blues and jazz pianist Dom Pipkin’s show Smokin’ Boogie at the Alma Tavern Theatre rounding off the Tuesday night choices. Dom’s show is an entertaining ramble through the New Orleans barrelhouse piano story, mixing tunes and anecdotes about Dr John, James Booker, Professor Longhair and other ivory-tinkling heroes from that great city.

Agathe Max

The eclectic and boundary-busting Brunswick Club hosts a night of experimental music on Thursday (7) headlined by ‘Finnish/Glaswegian’ voice artist Cucina Povera with looping violinist Agathe Max and string-driven quartet Viridian in support. The Exchange Sunday matinee of free and experimental stuff features the Unity 4 (Sunday 10) which no doubt is the longstanding Unity Trio welcoming a mystery guest – you’ll have to get down there to find out who.

Purple & Brown’s Jim Barr (2nd from right) and Pete Judge (right) getting their Blessings

Thursday night is pretty crowded in fact with the return of the free-thinking Astral Tusk collective to the Gallimaufry with a triple-bill headed by Waldo’s Gift guitar hero Alun Elliott-Williams new solo show Sublunary inspired by minimal ambient classical music. Across town in El Rincon Get The Blessing’s Pete Judge and Jim Barr use their unusual trumpet and bass line-up to explore the tunes of Thelonious Monk under the moniker of Purple & Brown while stylish Malian kora player Sona Jobarteh brings her Afrobeat project to St George’s and the methodically ramshackle Fantasy Orchestra appear at The Lantern.

African influences fill The Forge on Friday night when compelling Ethio-funk outfit Tezeta set out their stall of music inspired by the likes of Mulatu Astatke and other stars rediscovered by the Ethiopiques compilations. With a line-up that includes Andrew Neil Hayes on sax, Harriett Riley on vibes and ace drummer Matt Jones keyboard player Dan Inzani has pulled together a fresh take with a convincingly authentic sound.

Lady Nade dipping into country music

Finally a couple of excellent female vocalists vie for our attention on Sunday night (10). Percussionist and singer Cathy Jones has steeped herself in Latin music for many years, and in her trio Balanca (Tobacco Factory) she captures the languid eloquence and restrained passion of Brazilian greats like Joyce, with Kevin Figes flute and Tristram Cox’ guitar a classic Bossa Nova accompaniment. The influences behind Lady Nade’s original music (Kingsdown Vaults, Sunday 10) are more diverse, and last year’s Hard To Forget album seemed to have upped the country music element in her fusion of blues, jazz and soul. There’s a growing confidence in her remarkable contralto voice, too, though her rich velvet tone remains instantly identifiable.