Manchester Jazz Festival takes place 13 – 21 July. Seventy events, more than half of them free, will take place across six central Manchester music venues, offering a fascinating journey of discovery through the world of jazz today. The weird and the wonderful, the challenging and the relaxing, the surprising and the familiar – mjf is a prized collection of treasures that is simply not available anywhere else.
Launching the festival on 13 July, with a big, bold and brassy celebration, are Manchester’s Pocket Central. Opening weekend continues on Saturday 14 with the energetic avant garde piano trio A Greater Horror, while The Bugalu Foundation take over Saturday night in the Festival Pavilion with a danceable, up tempo groove.
Across the festival venues, this year’s mjf highlights how jazz improvises with influences from folk, electronic, reggae, rock, classical, Irish, African and South American music, (amongst many others). At the RNCM a 20 piece band join British jazz legend Stan Sulzmann with arrangements of the music of some of his favourite musicians – a genuine big band experience with players young and old, new and established on Tuesday 17.The Band on the Wall programme includes Mercury prize nominee Zoe Rahman, with music from her current Kindred Spirits on Wednesday 18, and at Matt & Phred’s Jazz Club Manchester guitarist Stuart McCallum joins forces with celebrated vocalist Ríoghnach Connolly.
…this year’s mjf highlights how jazz improvises with influences from folk, electronic, reggae, rock, classical, Irish, African and South American music, (amongst many others).
A great celebration of Manchester’s native music scene, mjf also hand picks some of the hottest new international artists to debut in the UK. Presented in collaboration with Instituto Cervantes, Mastretta (14 July) bring a theatrical and fiery tone and Kind of Cai (19 July) bring an Andalusian colouring to Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue.
Other mjf exclusives programmes continue with mjf introduces giving a platform to more signature breakthrough bands than ever. mjf afternoon tea is still a sell out ticket at the Midland Hotel and the mjf originals scheme presents not one but two premières of original works: George King’s Songs of the Caged Bird is a collaboration with Manchester Camerata, and Pete Moser’s Sound Games, in collaboration with More Music, is an unusual take on the Olympic frenzy about to grip the nation – inspired directly by sporting activity. mjf off stage is new this year with a series of events giving insights into music-making or offering the chance to take part.
In addition, mjf once again welcomes BBC Radio 3 and the team from Jazz on 3, who’ll be recording a special edition of their show, featuring the best in unsigned bands (16 July).
mjf Artistic Director Steve Mead said “This year’s festival programme once again demonstrates our core mission to bring the best and newest contemporary jazz to Manchester, condensed into a thrilling nine days. mjf means many things to many people: it’s a creative hub of new work, a platform for undiscovered talent, the culmination of genuine collaborations, or a chance to share new discoveries. I’m thrilled with the variety of this year’s programme and I guarantee it will surprise, enthral and entertain our listeners too. With up to ten separate concerts and events each day, above all it’s the ideal place to experience great new music.”
Full Manchester Jazz Festival Listings
Friday 13 July
Festival Pavilion
20.00 – 23.00
DJ Doreen Edwards
Doreen wowed everyone with her dexterity at the decks last year – so much so that we’ve invited her back to spin some rare and funky jazz and grooves from her personal record collection. Bring your dancing shoes!
Free
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Band on the Wall
20.00 (2 x 50 mins)
Pocket Central
DJ
Neil Fairclough – bass guitar, lead vocals
Kirsty Roberts – vocals
Phil Nicholas – trumpet, flugelhorn
Steve Parry – trumpet
Andy Morel – alto & baritone saxophones, vocals
Tim France – tenor saxophone, flute
Sam Healey – tenor saxophone
Johnny Hayes – guitar, vocals
Steve Hayes – guitar
Neil Edwards – keyboards, vocals
Johnny Musgrave – keyboards
Bryan Hargreaves – drums, vocals
First up, we welcome back a Manchester favourite: strong original songs in the vein of Tower of Power, James Brown and Steely Dan, underpinned by tight ensemble passages and performed with exceptional musicianship and a sense of fun. A celebratory vibe for the opening gig of this year’s festival, which will also see the launch of their long-awaited album. DJ sets after the gig.
£12 (adv) / £14 (door)
Presented in association with Band on the Wall
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Matt & Phred’s
22.00 (3 x 45 mins)
Alice Zawadzki:
Songs from Around the World
Alice Zawadzki – vocals
Ben Cottrell, Ben Watte – tenor saxophones
Stuart McCallum – guitar
Rosemary Toll – ’cello, vocals, percussion
Pete Turner – double bass
Dave Walsh – drums
Alice takes us on a journey across continents, bringing you beautiful and uplifting jazz inspired by music from Africa, Greece, Poland and Scandinavia, as well as original material inspired by John Coltrane, Joni Mitchell and Savina Yannatou, brought innovatively to life by Manchester’s finest musicians. Come and be transported!
£5 (free to mjf friends)
Presented by Matt & Phred’s
Saturday 14 July
Festival Pavilion
13.00 (60 mins)
Stevie Williams and The Most Wanted Band
Stevie Williams – bass guitar, vocals
Markie Creswell – guitar, vocals
Steve Buckley – guitar, lap steel guitar
Dave Hassell – drums, percussion
This lawless band deals out grooves of vintage blues and country, with original songs which draw motivation and inspiration from the great wordsmiths and songwriters of the 19th and 20th centuries. Taking you on a journey of spine-tingling moments with expressive soloing and band interaction, this gig sees the launch of their debut CD and sets the tone for today’s sonic expedition in the Pavilion.
Free
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Festival Pavilion
15.00 (60 mins)
A Greater Horror
Rodrigo Constanzo – Fender Rhodes, keyboards, electronics
Mauricio Pauly – electric bass, electronics
Alex Tod – drums, pads
An electrifying new post-jazz trio combining elements of experimental electronics, math-rock and contemporary classical, referencing their Cuban-American, Costa-Rican and British backgrounds and playing music which oscillates between detailed scores and free improvisation – loud then delicate, solid then dizzying.
Free
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Festival Pavilion
17.00 (60 mins)
mjf international
Mastretta
Nacho Mastretta – clarinet
Miguel Malla – clarinet, tenor saxophone
David Herrington – trumpet
Diego Galaz – violin, trumpet-violin
Marina Sorin – ’cello
Pablo Novoa – guitar
Luca Frasca – keyboards
Pablo Navarro – double bass
Jorge Santos – drums
We welcome the first of two Spanish ensembles on their UK debuts this year: Mastretta radiate a contagious joy with flowing musical landscapes, theatrical stagecraft and fluid dialogue between soloists, generating excitement, passion and surprise at every musical turn. Their music is furiously alive and stimulates all the senses and the imagination: full of spices, waves and wind, it is music which acts with the precision of a watch that marks not hours but emotions.
Free
Presented in collaboration with Instituto Cervantes Manchester
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Festival Pavilion
20.00 (2 x 50 mins)
Bugalu Foundation
Sam Bell – congas, vocals
Martin Connor – lead vocals
Steve Parry – trumpet
Angus Crabtree – baritone saxophone
Simon Pugsley – trombone
Craig Scott – guitar
Al Macsween – keyboards, vocals
Morgan Pugh – bass guitar
Sam Gardner – drums
An evening for dancing feet and minds, heavily influenced by the music of Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri, and delivered by some of the music’s greatest champions from Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds. With a special focus on the ’70s era as captured by the seminal documentary film ‘Our Latin Thing’, the band celebrates the musical traditions of New York’s east and west Harlem coming together in an irresistible fusion of jazz, funk and soul, with the beats of ’El Barrio’ – Spanish Harlem – and the Hispanic traditions of Latin America.
£12 (adv) / £14 (door)
*Double Ticket Deal available £20 (adv only)
Sat 14 July Bugalu Foundation
Sun 15 July Rick Farrow & The Big Red Orchestra
mjf friends discount available
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Band on the Wall
21.30 – 03.00
Mr Scruff
Keep It Unreal
Mr Scruff brings a jazzier leaning to this festival edition of his regular DJ night, serving up a late-night melting pot of soul, hip-hop, funk, disco, reggae, dubstep, Afrobeat, Latin and of course, jazz.
£11 (adv) / £12 (limited on door)
Presented by Band on the Wall
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Matt & Phred’s
22.00 (3 x 45 mins)
Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra
Simon Nixon – trumpet
Pete Williams, Leon Johnson – tenor saxophones
Martyn Strange – baritone saxophone
Taz Modi – keyboards
Neil Innes – guitar
Paul Baxter – bass guitar
Joost Hendrickx – drums
Kristoffer Wright – percussion
A Leeds-based collective making big waves with their horn-heavy sound: championed by Craig Charles, this 9-piece rhythm and brass explosion mixes free jazz and Fela Kuti-style Afrobeat with ’70s space jazz fusion and James Brown-inspired heavy funk.
£5 (free to mjf friends)
Presented by Matt & Phred’s
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Sunday 15 July
Festival Pavilion
13.00 (60 mins)
Jessica Berry
Jessica Berry – lead vocals
Hannah Berry – vocals, violin
Billy Adamson – guitar
Steve Berry – bass
Jon Ormston – percussion
Vocal-led, jazz-inspired songs inspired by Gretchen Parlato, Paul Simon, Brian Cox (surprisingly), friends and family, who are well represented in this line-up. Jessica’s material straddles pop and jazz, using influences that are meaningful to her; she has a relaxed delivery, and has already attained a maturity and depth of tone whilst still retaining freshness and a lightness of touch.
Free
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Midland Hotel – The French
14.30 (60 mins)
mjf afternoon tea
The Magic Beans
Zoe Chiotis – vocals
Uli Elbracht – guitar
Matt Owens – double bass
For the first of this year’s Afternoon Tea sessions, while away your Sunday afternoon in the relaxed atmosphere effortlessly conjured up by these fine musicians: easy to listen to without being easy-listening, spacious without sounding exposed, their hand-picked selection of songs dips into jazz, country, pop and soul.
£19.95 per person (includes Afternoon Tea). Please arrive at 14.30. Places are strictly limited and pre-booking is strongly advised. Call 0161 236 3333 to book.
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Festival Pavilion
15.00 (45 mins)
Jambone
This youth jazz ensemble, based at The Sage Gateshead, is made up of vibrant and talented jazz musicians aged between 13 and 19 from across the north east of England. Band members develop their improvisation skills throughout the year, working with some of the greatest names in jazz – most recently Andy Sheppard – along with specialist tutors from the Young Musicians Programme Weekend School. They create a fantastic sound, with three strong horn sections and a driving rhythm section, and their live performances are thrilling and energetic.
Free
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Albert Square
16.30 (30 mins)
Global Grooves: Junk Jam
Global Grooves, under the directorship of Leon Patel and Holly Prest, will be working on a huge creative project over the spring involving musicians, dancers and makers, using entirely recycled materials – you can witness the culmination of their work in this spectacular performance in Albert Square.
Junk Jam fuses a 40-piece percussion orchestra, a 15-piece wind ensemble, a 20-strong vocal collective and 16 costumed dancers. The procession and performance will bring together Afro-Brazilian, West African and South Asian percussion disciplines, using traditional rhythms and instrumental fabrication techniques, and a recycled horn section made from scrap materials, based on traditional brass and woodwind instruments. Singers and story tellers will use traditional melodies and tales drawn from the diverse participants, and dancers will combine traditional movements from Brazil, West Africa and beyond with American hip-hop, funk and contemporary grooves, specially choreographed to the musical arrangements.
Junk Jam will pull together a new community of passionate volunteers who will demonstrate that it needn’t cost the earth to create new and ambitious street carnival performances.
Free
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Band on the Wall
19.00-23.00
Sister Elements presents
Grandma’s Party
Sarah Sayeed, the ‘fearless lyricist’ whose work has been profiled on BBC Radio 1Xtra and BBC Asian Network, launches her new album and identity as Sister Elements, drawing together Earth, Air, Fire and Metal in her musical concept. Scores, improvisations with live musicians, Indo-jazz fusions, drum’n’bass, digital beats and samples all play a part, as she moves between dulcet vocal tones and impassioned spoken word, drawing upon peoples’ histories and musical traditions and paying homage to the blues. DJ sets complete the evening.
£8 (adv) / £10 (door)
Presented by Band on the Wall
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Festival Pavilion
19.30 (2 x 50 mins)
Rick Farrow and The Big Red Orchestra
Rick Farrow – percussion
Julio Guzman, Sarah Dale – vocals
Gavin Hibbard, Paul Brickles – trumpets
Richard Clarke, Jim Fieldhouse – saxophones
Fergus Mulcahy, John Barber – trombone
Chris Moore – electric piano
Ivan Pavon – electric upright bass
Jack McCarthy, Hugh Lawrence – percussion
Inspired by the Latin musical ‘Lady Salsa’, leading Latin percussionist, composer and arranger Rick teams up with original cast member Yeni Martinez and fellow singer Julio Guzman to head up an evening of highly danceable yet thoughtful arrangements of songs and original works which capture the essence of the Afro-Cuban big band sound. Energetic soloists, driving rhythms and authentic vocals combine to bring your Sunday to a rousing close.
£12 (adv) / £14 (door)
*Double Ticket Deal available £20 (adv only)
Sat 14 July Bugalu Foundation
Sun 15 July Rick Farrow & The Big Red Orchestra
mjf friends discount available
Monday 16 July
Festival Pavilion
11.45 (60 mins)
Roller Trio
James Mainwaring – tenor saxophone, electronics
Luke Wynter – guitar
Luke Reddin-Williams – drums
Thrashy noise, groovy riffs and evocative electronic soundscapes disguise complex structures and broader influences from reggae and Indian music in this free-spirited young jazz-rock band, whose achievements were recognised with a prestigious Peter Whittingham Jazz Award last year.
Free
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St Ann’s Church
13.00 (60 mins)
HSQ 2
Jim Collins – alto & baritone saxophone, clarinet
Helen Pillinger – alto & tenor saxophone
Helena Summerfield – soprano & baritone saxophone, flute
Will Lenton – tenor & bass saxophone
Rachael Gladwin – harp, vocals
Andy Hay – percussion
With its distinctive and experienced saxophonists leapfrogging between instruments, this quartet successfully blends rich tonal qualities with the added instrumental textures to create a unified sound. Their bespoke compositions and arrangements swing hard but are also unashamedly proud of rich European traditions, with key influences from classical and British roots music.
Free
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Midland Hotel – The French
14.30 (60 mins)
mjf afternoon tea
Bruce Hunnisett & Robin Joiner
Bruce Hunnisett – soprano & tenor saxophone
Robin Joiner – electric piano
Sharing a love for the melodic and atmospheric sounds associated with the ECM Records stable (such as Julia Hulsmann and Tore Brunborg), Bruce and Robin have developed a deepening musical connection and repertoire of evocative and tasteful original work well suited to the stately environs of The French.
£19.95 per person (includes Afternoon Tea). Please arrive at 14.30. Places are strictly limited and pre-booking is strongly advised. Call 0161 236 3333 to book.
Festival Pavilion
15.00 (60 mins)
mjf introduces
Mercury
Tom Thorp – soprano & tenor saxophone
Daniel Brew – guitar
Tim Langston – bass guitar
Jim Molyneux – drums
Opening this year’s season of mjf introduces – bringing you the best in young undiscovered talent from the north west – is this RNCM quartet fast making a name for themselves.
Mercury build the excitement and the beauty of improvised music into more modern feels and musical languages without losing the sophistication of compositional techniques, resulting in a whirling sound that sits somewhere in the space between contemporary jazz and popular music, and reflects their love of indie and electronica.
Free
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Festival Pavilion
17.00 (60 mins)
The Jazz Department
Josie Smith – vocals
John Dyson – alto & tenor saxophone, EWI
Kathy Dyson – guitar
Mark Donlon – piano
Max Sterling – double bass
Steve Hanley – drums, percussion
A band set up last year to play a diverse range of originals, standards, Latin, pop and soul numbers, with members from Manchester, Leeds and Bradford, five of whom were once in the same jazz department either as lecturers or students – hence the name. Showcasing the talents of all the players, the music is tuneful, sophisticated and measured but highly individual.
Free
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RNCM Theatre
18.00 (60 mins)
mjf off stage
Songs of the Caged Bird: Open Rehearsal
George King rehearses the music in preparation for the première of his mjf originals commission on Thursday. Anyone interested in the compositional and development process of new work is welcome to sit in and observe for all or part of the session.
Free – no ticket required
St Ann’s Church
18.15 (75 mins)
Microscopic
Richard Iles – trumpet
Mike Williams – alto & tenor saxophone
Les Chisnall – piano
Percy Pursglove – double bass
Out of the ashes of the coalition’s austerity measures comes a new collective performing stripped-back versions of some of the music from Richard’s Miniature Brass Emporium, as well as new original material. The quartet provides an intimate setting for some of his larger expansive music and a chance to hear the pieces as they were originally conceived. Microscopic is the new miniature!
As a member of the SNJO, Richard has recently performed with Joe Lovano, John Scofield and Gary Burton; Mike Williams is an unsung hero amongst UK saxophonists and this will be a rare appearance by one of our most original players; Les has worked with some of the world’s finest musicians, including Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor and Ian Ballamy; Percy, best known as a trumpet player, is also a gifted bassist, having recently appeared with Evan Parker and The Claudia Quintet.
£7
mjf friends discount available
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Band on the Wall
19.00 – late
BBC Introducing with Gilles Peterson and Jez Nelson
Gilles Peterson and Jez Nelson present a showcase of four emerging jazz bands in association with BBC Introducing. BBC Introducing supports unsigned, undiscovered or under the radar musicians across the UK. All four acts featured have submitted their music via the BBC Introducing Uploader at HYPERLINK “http://bbc.co.uk/introducing” \o “http://bbc.co.uk/introducing” bbc.co.uk/introducing and have been selected to perform at Manchester Jazz Festival by a team of BBC DJs including Jez Nelson (Radio 3) and Gilles Peterson (Radio 6 Music). DJ sets with Gilles and Jez from 19.00. Please check manchesterjazz.com nearer the date for details of the artists performing.
To apply for free tickets to this event, please register at HYPERLINK “http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/tickets/radio” \o “http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/tickets/radio” http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours
HYPERLINK “http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/tickets/radio” \o “http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/tickets/radio” Successful applicants will be chosen by random draw.
This concert will be broadcast on Jazz on 3 (BBC Radio 3) and Gilles Peterson (BBC Radio 6 Music).
Please be inside the venue by 7.30 to avoid disturbance to the recording.
Festival Pavilion
19.30 (2 x 50 mins)
Beating Wing Orchestra
Emmanuela Yogolelo, Jaheda Choudhury – vocals
Lis Murphy – vocals, violin
Gil Singh – vocals, percussion
Serge Tebu – piano, keyboards
Nicki Dupuy – bass guitar, double bass
Pat Mackman – drums
This Manchester-based international collective mixes musicians from refugee communities and others of diverse heritage. Their mission is to speak a common language, with lyrics addressing universal concerns; their desire is to ensure the voices are enhanced rather than diluted by the mixture of backgrounds. This makes for a rich blend of soulful, often spiritual music that is an intense live experience. Formed for Manchester International Festival in 2007, the band’s original repertoire fuses jazz, African gospel, Eastern European folk, Hip Hop and Sufiana; tonight’s mjf performance extends the improvisatory aspects of the music.
Free
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Matt & Phred’s
22.00 (3 x 45 mins)
Jazz Jam
The now famous Matt & Phred’s Jazz Jam has already attracted the likes of Chuck Perkins, Lonnie Liston Smith and Benn Clatworthy – it’s a chance to see a diverse selection of musicians from the north west and beyond play impromptu sets together. Led by Dave Spencer of Marley Chingus, who always assembles a friendly host of musicians, the jam is a great chance to meet with like-minded musicians, and a rare opportunity to see creative and inventive jazz played in true improvised style. Don’t be surprised if you see a few well-known faces on the stage.
All instruments are welcome, including jazz vocalists.
Free
Presented by Matt & Phred’s
Tuesday 17 July
Festival Pavilion
11.45 (60 mins)
Phil Meadows Group
Phil Meadows – alto saxophone
Laura Jurd – trumpet
Elliot Galvin – piano
Conor Chaplin – double bass
Corrie Dick – drums
Intense, energetic and powerful grooves contrasted with emotive and delicate melodies, Phil’s original, intricate music keeps you guessing all the way, mixing a cocktail of influences from both the ECM and NinjaTune record labels.
Free
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Festival Pavilion
13.00 (60 mins)
Steve Hawkins/Sam Healey Quintet
Steve Hawkins – guitar
Sam Healey – alto saxophone
Andrzej Baranek – piano
Nick Blacka – double bass
Rob Turner – drums
Combining the original excitement of be-bop with contemplative moods from more recent influences, the band uses fluid phrasing, a sense of vocal expression and some nimble fingerwork all round to balance emotional and intellectual approaches to the aesthetics of melody and harmony.
Free
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Matt & Phred’s
13.00-17.00
mjf off stage
How to Get More Gigs:
A seminar for jazz musicians
An afternoon crammed with advice, guidance and networking opportunities for jazz musicians wishing to source funding, broaden the scope of their music and help themselves secure more work opportunities.
The afternoon will take a detailed look at how you can put together project and touring grant applications for ACE’s Grants for the Arts scheme and for the PRS for Music Foundation’s new schemes, as well as opportunities for national touring subsidy available through Jazz Services. There will also be professional MU guidance on improving your networking, pitfalls to avoid, approaching promoters and how to present yourself and your work to best effect. The final part of the afternoon will be freed up for informal 1-to-1 discussions. Please check the mjf website nearer the date for details of the confirmed speakers.
Please note we expect demand to be high for this event; attendance is free but will be limited to the first 50 to confirm in advance. Please email HYPERLINK “mailto:steve@manchesterjazz.com” steve@manchesterjazz.com before 10 July to confirm your place. The event will commence at 13.00 prompt; light refreshments will be provided and registered attenders are invited to stay for informal drinks afterwards.
Presented with the support of Musicians’ Union
Midland Hotel – The French
14.30 (60 mins)
mjf afternoon tea
John Helliwell & John Ellis
John Helliwell – tenor saxophone
John Ellis – electric piano
Join The Two Johnnies for a classy set of duets as they delve into a miscellany of popular song and overlooked jazz and blues gems, with panache and personality to the fore. Never mind Breakfast in America – what about Afternoon Tea in The French…?
£19.95 per person (includes Afternoon Tea). Please arrive at 14.30. Places are strictly limited and pre-booking is strongly advised. Call 0161 236 3333 to book.
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Festival Pavilion
15.00 (60 mins)
mjf introduces
KAB Trio
Kim Wellens – piano, vocals
Ben Walker – bass
Abbi Phillips – drums
Originally formed last year by friends at Salford University to perform instrumental jazz-fusion and funk, the band’s mission was to challenge themselves by developing some original material, blending familiar and not-so-familiar pieces and showcasing Kim’s vocal talents as well as her jazz piano playing.
Free
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Festival Pavilion
17.00 (60 mins)
Zoë Gilby Quintet
Zoë Gilby – vocals
Graham Hardy – trumpet, flugelhorn
Mark Williams – guitar
Andy Champion – double bass
Richard Brown – drums
The north-east’s leading jazz vocalist visits mjf with her interpretations of The Great American Songbook and a wide range of more contemporary material from writers such as Tom Waits and Kate Bush, who have inspired Zoë and Andy for their own original compositions; listen out too for their trademark voice-double bass feature.
Free
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Matt & Phred’s
18.00 (120 mins)
mjf off stage
Un-Caged Birds: Justice and Jazz, Then and Now
Is jazz free to reach out, speak out and represent its black roots? A musically illustrated discussion about the relationships between jazz, black history and current racial dynamics, organised by Kooj Chuhan and Frankie Mullen from Lifting The Lid, which aims to embed discussions linking social histories and issues today within cultural life. Panelists include historian Dr Alan Rice, Jason Toynbee from the Black British Jazz Research Project, musicians Juliet Kelly, Myke Wilson, Pat Mackela and Lis Murphy.
Free
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RNCM Theatre
19.30 (2 x 50 mins)
Stan Sulzmann Big Band
Stan Sulzmann – soprano & tenor saxophone
Henry Lowther, Freddie Gavita, Tom Walsh, George Hogg – trumpets
Mark Nightingale, Mark Bassey, Robbie Harvey, Sarah Williams – trombones
Martin Hathaway, James Allsopp, Mike Chillingworth, Josh Arcoleo, Pete Hurt – saxophones
Lewis Wright – vibraphone
Alex Munk – guitar
Nikki Iles – piano
Dave Whitford – double bass
Tim Giles – drums
Pete Churchill – conductor best online casino
Tonight, in this special mjf performance bringing together established favourites and rising stars of the UK jazz scene, Stan presents a “Best of British” selection of pieces by jazz musicians with whom he has developed musical relationships over the years. As well as a few of his own originals, the concert will feature arrangements of music by John Taylor, John Parricelli, Nikki Iles, Mike Walker, Iain Ballamy, Kate Williams, Gwilym Simcock, Jim Hart and Kenny Wheeler.
Stan Sulzmann is without question one of the most highly respected musicians in the UK today, admired by musicians and audiences for his instantly recognisable sound, and boundless creative imagination, and is a source of inspiration to many of Britain’s emerging young musicians.
Sulzmann’s career stretches back to the 60’s, when as part of a talented crop of British musicians, he played with Graham Collier, John Taylor, Kenny Wheeler and Gordon Beck, as well as leading many groups of his own. Since that time, Stan has been at the forefront of European contemporary jazz, both with his warm, expressive playing and as an accomplished and distinguished composer.
“Ravishing, delicious, powerful and direct…meticulously written, sometimes echoing the imaginative and much-missed orchestra of Michael Gibbs” (The Guardian).
£17 / £14 (concs available)
Presented in association with RNCM
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Festival Pavilion
19.30 (2 x 60 mins)
TG Collective
Holly Jones – flute & alto flute
Louis Robinson – violin
Jamie Fekete, Sam Slater – acoustic & Spanish guitars
Percy Pursglove – double bass, trumpet
Tom Chapman, Joelle Barker – cajón, percussion
Flamenco, gypsy jazz and contemporary classical styles are the primary influences for the band, whose original compositions and arrangements focus around the two guitars and the various permutations of the ensemble to give a rich variety to the sound palette throughout the performance, both in terms of style and dynamics. The music is often contrapuntal, complex, sometimes completely scored and sometimes opening up to improvisations; rather than replicating any preconceived notions that a traditional gypsy or flamenco band may suggest, the band carries the music forward with a spirit of adventure and energy.
Free
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Matt & Phred’s
22.00 (3 x 45 mins)
Stop Motion Trio
Aron Kyne – piano
Emlyn Vaughan – bass guitar
Matt Davies – drums
Each band member brings different influences to the table: electronica, hip-hop, soul, Indian classical, Latin and jazz, but the band’s overall sound has a rhythmic focus which drives each piece along, building momentum but maintaining a sense of groove throughout.
£5 (free to mjf friends)
Presented by Matt & Phred’s
Wednesday 18 July
Festival Pavilion
11.45 (60 mins)
Noose
Lluis Mather – tenor saxophone, clarinet
Holly Thomas – vocals
Dan Nicholls – piano
Euan Palmer – drums
This ensemble combines influences from 20th century composers (Messiaen, Debussy, Ligeti) and mathematical concepts such as fractal geometry; the seemingly intellectual approach produces surprisingly emotional responses in the music: extreme highs and lows, terrifying energy, spine-tingling beauty and quirky twists and turns.
Free
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St Ann’s Church
13.00 (60 mins)
Dan Whieldon & Alice Zawadzki
Alice Zawadzki – vocals
Dan Whieldon – piano
Dan and Alice both come from classical backgrounds, and have found their ways into jazz without feeling the need to leave their classical roots; this recital presents them in a very interactive duo, involving some freer improvising and their own compositions, but also exploring other areas of music such as hymn tunes and folk songs from Galicia, Taiwan and Poland.
Free
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Midland Hotel – The French
14.30 (60 mins)
mjf afternoon tea
Sue Parish & Andrzej Baranek
Sue Parish – vocals
CONTACT _Con-407BD24D24A \c \s \l Andrzej Baranek – electric piano
Sue’s intimate but confident approach to jazz standards and vocalese has won her many admirers; here, in delightful rapport with the talented and exciting pianist Andrzej, her admiration for Ella Fitzgerald and Anita O’Day shines through, with her free approach to delivering the art of song.
£19.95 per person (includes Afternoon Tea). Please arrive at 14.30. Places are strictly limited and pre-booking is strongly advised. Call 0161 236 3333 to book.
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Festival Pavilion
15.00 (60 mins)
mjf introduces
Kyran Matthews Quartet
Kyran Matthews – soprano & tenor saxophone
Ben Watte – piano
Paul Wheatley – double bass
Dave Smyth – drums
The core of this creative and dynamic young group met at the RNCM, and their resultant strong sense of interplay shows, taking inspiration from ECM-style sounds of the British and Scandinavian scenes and playing a mix of melodic originals and tunes by luminaries such as Julian Arguelles and Tim Garland.
Free
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Festival Pavilion
17.00 (60 mins)
Alex Hutton Trio
Alex Hutton – piano
Yuri Goloubev – double bass
Asaf Sirkis – drums
Alex, a favourite with mjf listeners, returns with his new band and compositions which take the joy, optimism and range of emotions found in big film scores and condense them into the piano trio format. Alex’s playing has European folky nuances and a sense of space and stillness, yet is also capable of great power and of portraying the textures of a larger band; his revered colleagues here help to inject an undercurrent of hypnotic dance-like grooves, providing rewarding and memorable music.
Free
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Band on the Wall, Picturehouse Café
18.00 (90 mins)
mjf off stage
Jazz and the Real World
How have jazz musicians connected with movements for change? Jazz critic and educationalist Chris Searle provokes a stimulating dialogue, with recorded music, about jazz and its struggles over the decades, to coincide with the publication of his new book, ‘Red Groove’. Organised by Kooj Chuhan and Frankie Mullen from Lifting The Lid.
Free
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RNCM Theatre
19.30 (75 mins)
John Surman
John Surman – soprano & baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, electronics
Composer and multi-instrumentalist John Surman is a key figure in a generation of European jazz musicians who have crucially expanded the international horizons of jazz over the past forty years or so. A stalwart of the ECM record label, he is currently at the height of his considerable powers, and long acknowledged as a world-class improviser and a composer of a body of work that extends far beyond the perceived boundaries of the jazz repertoire.
His unique solo performances reflect the special blend of acoustic and electronic music as featured on recordings such as ‘The Road To St Ives’ – a journey of discovery begun in the ’70s and still exploring new territories today. Mesmerising rhythmic patterns are set up as a landscape over which his improvisations gradually unfold, voiced through his lyrical soprano, the earthy ruggedness of the baritone and an approach to the bass clarinet that captures both its mischief and its melancholy.
John Surman’s music transcends familiar boundaries. Although a deep love of the jazz tradition runs throughout his work (Ellington is a particular enthusiasm), he is equally affected by the melodic qualities of choral music and English folk music. Much of his work is powerfully resonant of the landscape and tradition of his native southwest England. The surprise and the enduring pleasure of Surman’s art lies in a uniquely personal vision, fired by the contrasts of exquisite lyricism, richly textured sound, and intense, full-bodied improvisation.
£17 / £14 (concs available)
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Festival Pavilion
19.30 (2 x 50 mins)
Orli Nyles
Orli Nyles – vocals, piano
Steve Buckley – guitars, vocals
Tom Davies – acoustic guitar, vocals
John Ellis – keyboards
Ollie Collins – bass guitar
Bryan Hargreaves – drums, vocals
Orli and her band perform an evening of original compositions inspired by her admiration for various singers and songwriters, including Todd Rungren, Laura Nyro, and Nina Simone. Her experiences and time spent in New York, and in her home town of Manchester, also feature as thematic material, as do personal reflections on the universal theme of love. Her skills at the keyboard are also on show in this lively, pop/rock-infused band.
Free
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Band on the Wall
20.00 (2 x 45 mins)
Zoe Rahman Quartet
Zoe Rahman – piano
Idris Rahman – clarinet, tenor saxophone
Davide Mantovani – double bass
Gene Calderazzo – drums
The Mercury-nominated jazz pianist/composer plays music from her current Kindred Spirits recording – the music is a powerful and fresh portrait of her combined English, Irish and Bengali heritage and reflects the diversity of her musical interests and influences. The players in her band share her vision for the music and are all talented soloists in their own right.
They recorded the album after touring Ireland in 2011, a year that co-incided with the 150th birth anniversary of Bengali writer, musician, artist and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. These two events count, in part, for her choice of music, although the performance will mostly consist of a collection of her recent compositions and other favourite pieces.
Described in The Observer as “a remarkable pianist by any standard”, Zoe Rahman has firmly established herself as one of the brightest stars on the contemporary jazz scene. A vibrant and highly individual pianist/composer, her style is deeply rooted in jazz yet it reflects her classical background, British/Bengali heritage and her very broad musical taste. Known for her powerful technique, wide-ranging imagination and exuberant performance, she has become a highly sought-after musician.
£10 (adv) / £12 (door)
*Double Ticket Deal available £17.50
Weds 18 July Zoe Rahman Quartet &
Thurs 19 July Sons of Kemet & Anton Hunter Trio
Presented in association with Band on the Wall
Matt & Phred’s
22.00 (3 x 45 mins)
Michael Cretu Sextet
Michael Cretu – double bass
George King – piano
Myke Wilson – drums
John Grant – violin
Jessica Cocea – viola
Martin Wise – ’cello
Michael takes time away from his increasingly busy solo work and European touring to extend his regular trio with a string trio for an evening of intense, rhythmic and dramatic traditional folk-jazz; the original compositions blend his native Transylvanian folk music with jazz, classical and gypsy elements.
£5 (free to mjf friends)
Presented by Matt & Phred’s
Thursday 19 July
Festival Pavilion
11.45 (60 mins)
Jonathan Silk Quintet
Jonathan Silk – drums
John Fleming, Nick Rundle – tenor saxophones
Andy Bunting – piano, keyboards
Nick Jurd – double bass
This award-winning Birmingham-based, drummer-led band plays high-energy originals written with the band members in mind; intricate grooves and diverse melodies pave the way for exploratory improvisations inspired by Jim Black and Ornette Coleman – rocky yet subtle, complex yet honest.
Free
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St Ann’s Church
13.00 (60 mins)
Flea Circus
Jack Davies – trumpet
Rob Cope – clarinet, bass clarinet
Aidan Shepherd – accordion
James Opstad – double bass
This ‘nocturnal’ chamber jazz group started life as a result of Jack’s love of European jazz, and his classical training at the RNCM; the natural acoustic blend of the instruments has a particular nuance and this is brought out in the challenging but rewarding original compositions, which also play to the strengths of the individual players.
Free
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Midland Hotel – The French
14.30 (60 mins)
mjf afternoon tea
Juliet Kelly & Jonny Phillips
Juliet Kelly – vocals
Jonny Phillips – guitar
Acclaimed London-based singer-songwriter Juliet teams up with prolific guitarist and composer Jonny to take you on a timeless, lyrical journey across Europe in song; hand-picked material and sparkling originals reflect an array of nations by their sound or reference in the delightful setting of The French.
£19.95 per person (includes Afternoon Tea). Please arrive at 14.30. Places are strictly limited and pre-booking is strongly advised. Call 0161 236 3333 to book.
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Festival Pavilion
15.00 (60 mins)
mjf introduces
Jamie Safiruddin Trio
Jamie Safiruddin – piano
Tom McCredie – double bass
Will Glaser – drums
We close this year’s series of mjf introduces with one of our favourite young pianists; Jamie’s energetic and dextrous playing has graced many of the region’s bands in recent years but this is the first time he leads his own trio. With his fellow Guildhall students, he combines the classic piano trio sounds of Bill Evans and Bobo Stenson with elements of folk, free-jazz and classical music.
Free
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Festival Pavilion
17.00 (60 mins)
Rick Simpson Quartet
Rick Simpson – piano
George Crowley – clarinet, tenor saxophone
Tom Farmer – double bass
Jon Scott – drums
Driving grooves, lyrical free improvisation and contemporary harmony from the fast-emerging London-based pianist, playing music from his debut album, ‘Semi Wogan’, which contains pop culture-influenced originals which are developed and explored by all four accomplished musicians, inspired by the work of artists such as David Binney, Vijay Iyer and Jason Moran.
Free
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RNCM Theatre
19.30 (75 mins)
mjf originals
George King: Songs of the Caged Bird
World première
Doreen Edwards – vocals
George King – piano
Manchester Camerata Chamber Strings
The first of this year’s new works commissioned through mjf originals is an exciting collaboration with Manchester Camerata.
‘Songs of the Caged Bird’ is a new song-cycle by Manchester composer-pianist George King, written for arguably Manchester’s finest jazz diva, Doreen Edwards, and the chamber strings of Manchester Camerata. It sets poems, speeches and historic sermons connected to the civil rights period in African-American culture in the form of a song-cycle.
A song-cycle for jazz singer is an unusual and under-explored format and one which George has been determined to realise; the subject matter is threaded throughout recent history, and although focussed geographically on a part of the world from which jazz sprung, it still has resonances within the UK and within contemporary culture.
The music plays to Doreen’s strengths as vocalist and communicator, complemented by the improvisatory piano accompaniment and shimmering, impressionistic string parts, interspersed with original recorded speech samples from the civil rights period. The libretto includes work by Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, and a re-setting of the lyrics to Strange Fruit – Abel Meeropol’s poem famously interpreted by Billie Holiday.
The performance will be preceded by a collection of George’s solo piano improvisations.
George is one of the few composer-musicians who successfully straddles both classical and jazz territories. His music has been featured many times on BBC Radio 3 and has been performed across Europe and the US. He is a fine jazz accompanist and soloist and plays with natural swing and a strong sense of well-voiced harmonies.
Doreen is a respected and admired artist whose voice has graced innumerable recordings and performances; this new work gives listeners a chance to hear her centre stage in what will surely be a memorable festival highlight.
Manchester Camerata is the city’s world-class chamber orchestra. With a reputation for bringing audiences first-class performances that are bursting with vitality, Camerata is truly a product of its creative environment – a twenty first century orchestra in one of the most exciting cities in the world.
There will be a post-show discussion with George King, Manchester Camerata and Lifting the Lid in the Theatre following the performance, free to ticket-holders.
£17 / £14 (concs available)
Presented in collaboration with Manchester Camerata
Thanks to Manus Carey at Manchester Camerata and Toby Smith at RNCM for their help in making this project possible.
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Festival Pavilion
19.30 (2 x 50 mins)
mjf international
Kind of Cai
Guillermo McGill – drums, percussion, cajón
Carlos Villoslada – tenor saxophone
Luís Balaguer – Spanish guitar
Miguel López – piano
Dee Jay Foster – double bass
Our second Spanish presentation this year is a distinctly personal appreciation of the classic Miles Davis album Kind of Blue, a work that has had such a far-reaching effect on music since its release in 1959. Here, the band re-interprets the music from that legendary session, guided by Guillermo McGill, who has been a driving force with Paco de Lucía’s sextet for almost 30 years.
The players respect not only the order of the themes but also many of the arrangements that arose during Miles’ session. But more than merely playing through the pieces in a Flamenco style, the band applies a brand new aesthetic to the work, as suggested by their name (Cai being an Andalusian term for the city of Cádiz), bringing some of the most important palos (musical forms) into the soundworld, as well as the application of remates, llamadas and falsetas – other musical resources prevalent in Flamenco. Uniting these with modal improvisations produces a rich and profound effect and ushers the music in new directions.
Free
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Presented in collaboration with Instituto Cervantes Manchester
Band on the Wall
20.00 (35 70 mins)
Sons of Kemet ○ Anton Hunter Trio
Sons of Kemet
Shabaka Hutchings – clarinet, tenor saxophone
Oren Marshall – tuba, electronics
Seb Rochford, Tom Skinner – drums
Anton Hunter Trio
Anton Hunter – guitar
James Adolpho – double bass
Johnny Hunter – drums
Sons of Kemet is the brainchild of young reeds player and Radio 3 New Generation Artist Shabaka Hutchings, whose ambition for this ensemble was to assemble the most unlikeliest of line-ups and allow them free rein for their distinct musical personalities to shine through. The resultant music is loud, earthy, vital, and refreshingly rough-edged at times but surprisingly danceable; the two drummers spur off each others’ energies and the tuba occupies a variety of roles from breathless walking bass to subtle, overdubbed layers of sound. Shabaka’s plaintive tone and uncluttered compositions frame the sound.
Opening the evening is a short set from the Manchester guitarist, debuting brand new material at the borders of composition and improvisation: this marks a new phase for Anton and is the first time he leads his own trio. More introspective and spacious than his work with HAQ or the Beats & Pieces Big Band, there is, as ever, still plenty of room for freedom and exploration within the structures, whilst not letting go of strong melodies.
£10 (adv)/ £12 (door)
*Double Ticket Deal available £17.50
Weds 18 July Zoe Rahman Quartet &
Thurs 19 July Sons of Kemet & Anton Hunter Trio
Presented in association with Band on the Wall
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Matt & Phred’s
22.00 (3 x 45 mins)
Stuart McCallum
Stuart McCallum – guitar
Ríoghnach Connolly – vocals
Phil France – double bass
Luke Flowers – drums
Prism String Quartet
Stuart will be showcasing the live music he has developed over the year as part of his Matt & Phred’s residency: each of the sets will focus on his solo/acoustic work, his instrumental pieces from ‘Distilled’ and new songs created with celebrated vocalist Ríoghnach.
£5 (free to mjf friends)
Presented by Matt & Phred’s
Friday 20 July
Festival Pavilion
11.45 (60 mins)
The European Union Quintet
Iman Spaargaren – tenor saxophone
Ulrich Elbracht – guitar
Dan Whieldon – piano
Gavin Barras – double bass
Marek Dorcik – drums
The simple but effective motivation behind this band – to merge players and their respective musical backgrounds from various EU nations – has resulted in some well-honed repertoire and a busy touring schedule. European jazz and folk references combine with a nod to Pat Metheny-like grooves and melodies; the new addition of pianist Dan brings out the luscious harmonies.
Free
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St Ann’s Church
13.00 (60 mins)
Avalon Trio
Tony Woods – alto & soprano saxophone, alto clarinet, wood flute
Pete Churchill – piano
Rob Millett – percussion
Three acclaimed jazz improvisers celebrate and pay homage to the music of early 20th century English composers such as Vaughan-Williams, Finzi and Delius, re-investigating their discovery, recording and arrangements of traditional folk songs from across the country; luscious rearrangements and improvisations give the songs a new lease of life in the splendid acoustic of the church.
Free
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This afternoon we celebrate past and present achievements of our mjf originals scheme, taking a look at the work our previously commissioned composers are creating now and building up to the première of the second of this year’s new works: Sound Games.
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Festival Pavilion
14.15 (2 x 45 min)
Unfurl ○ Matt Owens Ensemble
Unfurl
Olivia Moore – violin
Jim Faulkner – guitar
Gavin Barras – double bass
Adam Warne – riq, Egyptian percussion
Jon Ball – tabla, santoor
Matt Owens Ensemble
Matt Owens – bass
Neil Yates – trumpet, flugelhorn
Kyran Matthews – tenor saxophone
Andy Morel – alto saxophone
Chris Bridges – trombone
John Ellis – piano, keyboards, bass clarinet
Eryl Roberts – drums
Olivia, whose work was commissioned in 2009, has forged a unique path in her drive to bring the Indian violin, with its extemporised nature, to the fore of jazz and improvised music; this current line up of her band creates a genuine fusion of jazz, Egyptian and Indian soundworlds, using pure and graceful compositions as a springboard for heartfelt improvisations. Unfurl also launch their new album at this afternoon’s concert.
Matt moves on from Ten, his commissioned work from 2009, by exploring the possibilities generated by an ensemble featuring a prominent frontline of wind players; the new music heard today will be a carefully considered balance between fixed arrangements and space left for each musician to improvise. Inspiration comes from a wide variety of genres, blending elements of jazz, classical, Latin, minimalism and New Orleans into a unified group sound.
Free
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Midland Hotel – The French
14.30 (60 mins)
mjf afternoon tea
Nick Blacka & Andrzej Baranek
Andrzej Baranek – electric piano
Nick Blacka – double bass
This duo, taking inspiration from the great Duke Ellington/Jimmy Blanton recordings of the 1930s-40s, play their own interpretations of these pieces, along with some originals in the same vein, to round off this year’s Afternoon Tea sessions in The French in true swinging fashion.
£19.95 per person (includes Afternoon Tea). Please arrive at 14.30. Places are strictly limited and pre-booking is strongly advised. Call 0161 236 3333 to book.
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Festival Pavilion
18.00 (60 mins)
mjf originals
Pete Moser: Sound Games
World première
Pete Moser – piano, accordion
Mary Keith, Steve Lewis – vocals, percussion
Peadar Long – flute, tenor saxophone
Daz Jones – sousaphone
Semay Wu – ‘cello
Ben McCabe – drums
plus special guest soloist to be announced
The sound of games, a game of sounds…
The second of this year’s mjf originals commissioned works is an unusual take on the athletic frenzy about to grip the nation: compositions and improvisations inspired directly by sporting activity, created with a unique octet of musicians by inspirational music-maker Pete Moser. Hear a 10-second 8-part counterpoint for a 100 metre run, a series of long jump solo journeys, a 4-minute groove of competing rhythms and much more. This Olympic year commission gives musicians a chance to compete with each other in solo moments, to develop new music that responds directly to sporting activity and to create a suite of pieces that will surely fascinate and capture your imagination. A filmic element will show how the music has been created, with iconic moments in sporting history turned into musical creations in front of your eyes!
Pete Moser is a composer, performer, educator and producer who has been the Artistic Director of More Music for the past 19 years; he is a committed improviser and promoter of new music.
£7
*Double Ticket Deal available £15.00 (adv), £17.00 (door)
Fri 20 July Pete Moser Ríoghnach Connolly’s Black Lung
mjf friends discount available
Presented in collaboration with More Music
Festival Pavilion
21.00 (2 x 45 mins)
Ríoghnach Connolly’s Black Lung
Ríoghnach Connolly – vocals, concert flute
Zoe Chiotis – backing vocals
Fiona Brown – Uilleann pipes
Angus Fairbairn – tenor saxophone
Grace Kelly – fiddle, whistles
Emma Sweeney – fiddle
Ben Cashell – ‘cello
Hannah Miller – ’cello
Angela Durcan – banjo, mandolin
Ellis Davies, Joe Bardwell – guitars
John Ellis – piano, keyboards
Nick Blacka – double bass
Rob Turner – drums
Utam Singh – tabla
Fellimi Devlin – bódhran
This special project for mjf showcases the talents of one of Manchester’s most charismatic musical personalities, celebrating the indelible parts of her musical heritage. Having spent the last ten years in Manchester collaborating with many musicians and genres, Ríoghnach draws together her many connections into a melting pot where she unifies her ‘old style’ Irish traditional song, jazz and folk backgrounds and the musical partnerships she has absorbed as a child through to adulthood. Also the title of her debut new recording, Black Lung promises to be a grand evening of Sean Nós and jazz on an orchestral scale – an exhilarating festival highlight for performers and audiences alike.
£12 (adv) / £14 (door)
*Double Ticket Deal available £15.00 (adv), £17.00 (door)
Fri 20 July Pete Moser Ríoghnach Connolly’s Black Lung
mjf friends discount available
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Matt & Phred’s
22.00 (3 x 45 mins)
Spoonful
Neil Yates – trumpet, flugelhorn
John Ellis – organ
Mat Colman – trombone
Andy Ross – tenor saxophone
Luke Flowers – drums
Classic Friday night Bluenote/Lou Donaldson-style vibes from this lively, highly talented and characterful ensemble, guaranteed to satisfy those who like their horn sections funky and their organs steeped in soulful spirits!
£5 (free to mjf friends)
Presented by Matt & Phred’s
Saturday 21 July
Festival Pavilion
12.30 (60 mins)
Neil Yates’ Five Countries Trio
Neil Yates – trumpet, flugelhorn, whistle
Zsolt Bende – guitar
Cormac Byrne – bódhran, percussion
Neil’s innovative Celtic-jazz fusions are embodied in this intimate but powerful trio: the English trumpeter, based in Wales, brings together the Romanian, Hungarian-based guitarist and the Irish percussionist based in England to explore the folk traditions of each of those countries. Playing music from their recent debut recording, the trio creates haunting, evocative landscapes of sound, pushing the boundaries of traditional-sounding melodies with fluid and lyrical soloing.
Free
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Festival Pavilion
14.30 (60 mins)
Breach
Graeme Stephen – guitar, electronics
Paul Harrison – organ, electronics
Chris Wallace – drums, percussion
An organ trio that avoids the clichés of the format, each player drawing out an often surprising array of sounds; their original material draws from electronica, rock and folk but with a jazz sensibility – at the drop of a hat the music can change from a riot of groove to beguilingly melodic. Three of Scotland”s most progressive and versatile musicians with a shared desire to enter uncharted territory and trample over musical preconceptions.
Free
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Festival Pavilion
16.30 (60 mins)
Prestwich Deluxe
Tim France – tenor saxophone
Richard Iles – trumpet
Jamie Sheriff – piano
Pete Turner – double bass
Eryl Roberts – drums
Their evocative name is a mythical jazz club set in the small country village of Prestwich, north Manchester, as seen through the imagination of the players; the original music is derived from the jazz clubs of the ’50s, focusing on short compact tunes in the style of Charles Mingus, Horace Silver and Eddie Harris, fusing ear-catching tunes with infectious grooves.
Free
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Festival Pavilion
20.00 (2 x 60 mins)
Hackney Colliery Band ○ Colman Brothers
DJ Mike Chadwick
Hackney Colliery Band
Steve Pretty – trumpet, flugelhorn, melodica
Nick Ashwood – trumpet, flugelhorn
Jonathan Sweeney, Magnus Dearness – trombones
Mike Lesirge – alto saxophone
Tom Richards – tenor saxophone
Jeff Miller – sousaphone
Luke Christie – snare drum, percussion
Olly Blackman – bass drum, percussion
Colman Brothers
Andrew Colman – lead trumpet, flugelhorn
Mat Colman – lead trombone
Sara Colman – vocals
Steve Banks – guitar
Dale Hambridge – Fender Rhodes, organ
Sol Ahmed – double bass
Jon Whitfield – drums
Lisa Cherian – percussion
Richard Iles, Neil Yates, Phil Nicholas, Mike Davis – trumpets, flugelhorns
Kev Holborough, Simon Pugsley, Tony Robertson – trombones
To close this year’s festival we’ve a double bill to keep you brassed on with high-energy, good-time music for dancing feet and minds…
The Colman Brothers’ music is inspired by the sounds of the Latin/jazz big bands from the ’60s and ’70s – in particular Peter Herbolzheimers’ Rhythm Combination & Brass group. This big band set-up – without a saxophone section – echoes the rich, brass-heavy sound, full of energy and groove. Mat and Andrew are the featured soloists and sister Sara also features on a handful of vocal tunes. In tonight’s mjf finale you can hear the band in full force, as they give their first performance with the full 15-piece line up.
Formed out of a desire to play music that appealed to the feet as much as to the ears, the Hackney Colliery Band is east London’s unique take on the brass band. The players have hugely diverse musical backgrounds, ranging from work with cutting-edge jazz groups to the Bollywood Brass Band, and from Jarvis Cocker to major orchestras. This is clearly on display in their eclectic repertoire: mining nuggets of funk, hip-hop and rock from the musical coalface and throwing in a few chunks of Balkan brass, ska and contemporary jazz for good measure, the Hackney Colliery Band’s set is as diverse as the London borough that gave them their name.
Jazz FM and Band on the Wall’s Mike Chadwick spins danceable jazz grooves in between the sets and afterwards until midnight.
£13 (adv) / £16 (door)
mjf friends discount available
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Matt & Phred’s
22.00 (3 x 45 mins)
Dub Jazz Soundsystem
Sharlene Squire – vocals
Nick Walters – trumpet
Misha Gray – piano, keyboards
Dave Spencer – double bass
Johnny Hunter – drums
A collective of talented young musicians (they play with Riot Jazz, Skamel and Marley Chingus) bringing together their virtuosic jazz backgrounds with a love of dub and reggae, resulting in a breathtaking combination of bass-heavy, down-tempo, dub grooves and far-out modal-jazz explorations.
£5 (free to mjf friends)
Presented by Matt & Phred’s
