Friday, 14th September 2001

PETER JACOBSEN TRIO AND WEST COAST JAZZ

7.30- 8.30pm. West Coast Jazz.
8.30pm. PETER JACOBSEN TRIO (live recording)

Tickets: £12.50 (£10 Club members)

A fabulous start to the new season of concerts - another special event at the Club, featuring a live recording of the Peter Jacobsen Trio.

Giving the evening a great kick start is a new band on the circuit - WEST COAST JAZZ, a seven-piece outfit playing West Coast standards written and arranged by Bill Holman, Shorty Rodgers and Bob Florence. The line-up of this fine band is BRIAN BENTON (leader/ tenor saxophone), LEON CALVERT (trumpet), CHRIS SMITH (trombone), NICK WALKER (baritone saxophone), RUSS WILLIAMS (piano), PETE BLANNIN (double-bass), JOHN SCOTNEY (drums). Don't miss this hour of classic 'West Coast Jazz', taking you back to this golden era in jazz.

Our main set features the brilliant blind pianist PETER JACOBSEN who will be making his first live recording featuring his trio, with the highly respected SIMON WOOLF (double-bass) and NIC FRANCE (drums). Peter Jacobsen has been exciting, moving and challenging audiences for many years. His gifts - sensitivity, great knowledge of the music and prodigious technique- define an outstanding musician, frequently asked to back visiting Americans. He was the resident pianist at the Cambridge Modern Jazz Club for many years, as well as playing in many bands, including Morrisey-Mullen. Peter Jacobsen's music has never stood still, as he continues to develop and extend his distinctive and unmistakable voice in jazz music. Tonight's recording will include a mixture of standards as well as original compositions from the pen of Peter Jacobsen.

So come along and be part of a unique experience- a live recording of a world class trio in the atmospheric setting of the jazz club.

Friday, 5th October 2001

JIM MULLEN TRIO and BRIAN CORBETT Quintet

7.45-9.00pm. Bryan Corbett Quintet
9.30- 11.00pm JIM MULLEN TRIO

Tickets £12.50 (£10 Club members)

Another great double-header at the Club, with the ever popular guitarist Jim Mullen taking the main set with his organ trio.

It's always very nice to showcase young talent and it will be a pleasure to welcome Birmingham based trumpeter BRYAN CORBETT and his quintet for the earlier set for their first visit to the Club. The Bryan Corbett Quintet are rapidly gaining an excellent reputation and have just finished a residency at Ronnie Scott's in Birmingham as support for saxophonist Tommy Smith. Still only 23 years of age, Bryan has already played with the likes of Alan Barnes, Spike Robinson and Dave Leibman as well as performing with bands Steely Dan and Simply Red. Bryan, whose influences include Chet Baker, Freddie Hubbard and Miles Davis, studied at the Royal Northern College of Music and received a scholarship to study in Norway. Bryan Corbett will play a bebop based set with his quintet, which features the classic front line of trumpet, saxophone and rhythm section.

JIM MULLEN is not only a great favourite at the Club but he is regarded as one of the top guitarists on the world stage and has been featured soloist in many bands, including visiting Americans such as Mose Allison and Gene Harris. In addition, Jim has led his own trio/quartet since his Glasgow days back in 1963 before moving down to London in 1969, when he quickly established himself on the scene. A partnership with the late Dick Morrissey spanned the late 1970's/ early 1980's and they toured the USA from 1977-79 with the Average White Band, recording in New York. Jim Mullen has released a number of very well received CD's over the past few years, the most recent being a tribute to Scotland's national poet- Burns. Completing the trio will be the exciting young keyboard/organist JIM WATSON and MATT SKELTON on drums.

Don't miss the unmistakable sound of Jim Mullen- a truly great musician.

Sunday, 21st October 2001

A Sensational Latin/Salsa Double-header: CUBANA BOP & ROBIN JONES' LATIN JAZZ SEXTET

8.00- 9.30pm- CUBANA BOP
10.00- 11.30- ROBIN JONES' LATIN JAZZ SEXTET

Tickets- £15 (£10 Club members)

A superb evening is guaranteed with two of the best Latin bands to be heard anywhere. And for this concert only the bands will play in a marquee (linked to the music room at the Hotel), with a dance floor provided for this special event. So, as well as great music, you can dance the night away to the sounds of these two top bands.

CUBANA BOP, a six piece band, will kick start the evening with their special blend of classic latin/jazz standards and original material with a strong Latin Afro-Cuban flavour. The sound is different from most other jazz/latin fusions, being highly melodic and harmonic, "contributing something new and exciting to the idiom" (Dave Gelly, in Gramophone). The band have played at many high profile venues, including the Jazz Cafe, and have been featured at over 30 Festivals, including Edinburgh. Cubana Bop is led by pianist TERRY SEABROOK, who has worked with such luminaries as Sonny Stitt, Chet Baker and Harry Edison. Featured in the front line are two very fine musicians- GARY KAVANAGH on trumpet and IAN PRICE on saxophones. The driving percussion section has TRISTAN BANKS on drums with SATIN SINGH on congas. Completing the line-up is bassist DAVIDE MANTOVANI.

The second half of the evening will feature ROBIN JONES and his LATIN JAZZ SEXTET. Robin formed the Sextet in 1995 from members of his 12 piece band King Salsa and the band draws on the afro-cuban roots of the music, adding 1960's New York style to the arrangements. The Sextet have been regulars at the Jazz Cafe, 606 Club and Dean Street, as well as many Festival appearances. In 1998, their CD ' Latin Underground' was awarded the Medal of Honour at the Benelux International Culture Festival. The band is led by the Internationally known percussionist/drummer ROBIN JONES, who has worked with many of the great Latin musicians around the world, and features the very highly regarded front line of NICK WALKER (saxophones) and STEVE WATERMAN (trumpet). Completing this powerhouse rhythm section is CHRIS KIBBLE (keyboard), Gerry HUNT (bass guitar) and ADAM RILEY (drums).

Our Latin/Salsa nights are always very popular, creating a great atmosphere at the Club. This one is certain to be something special- don't miss it!

Friday, 9th November 2001

ART THEMEN and GUY BARKER QUINTET with the BRYAN SPRING TRIO

7.45pm. Tim Lapthorn Quartet
8.30pm. ART THEMEN/GUY BARKER QUINTET

Tickets- £12.50 (£10 Club members)

Team two of the most talented and respected front line musicians with one of the best rhythm sections around and what do you get- the perfect combination for a great evening's jazz.

ART THEMEN has been regarded as one of the best tenor/soprano saxophonists on the UK scene for nearly 30 years. His musical career began back in his days as a medical student at Cambridge. In the early 1970's he played in Michael Garrick and Graham Collier's bands. In 1974 he began a long association with Stan Tracey, playing in all his various groups up to the present day. Art has toured with Al Haig, Red Rodney and Sal Nestico and worked with Nat Adderley, George Coleman and Billy Mitchell. More recently, he has co-led a quartet with John Critchinson as well his current all-star band featured tonight. Art Themen is an immensely gifted saxophonist with a unique sound, coupled with great knowledge of the music, and is always in heavy demand both in the UK and abroad.

GUY BARKER will be making his eagerly awaited first appearance at the Club to add to his long list of credits- he has played and recorded with some pretty heavy artillery, including Gil Evans, Bobby Watson, Mel Torme and Georgie Fame, as well as leading his own quartet for several years and being featured in many UK outfits, such as Peter King's band. Guy was born in Chiswick in 1957, took up the trumpet at 12 years of age and by 13 was a member of NYJO. At 17 he took a few lessons from veteran brassman Clark Terry and soon after had became one of the most sought after soloists on the UK scene. Guy is now regularly voted the best trumpeter in the British Jazz Awards and was signed up to Verve in 1995 with his debut CD Into The Blue being listed for the 1995 Mercury Music Prize. In addition to his much admired straight ahead modern jazz playing, Guy also has performed a series of concerts recreating the music of Bix Beiderbecke, indicating his versatility and ability.

The rhythm section, one of the best around, is led by the brilliant drummer BRYAN SPRING, who is also making his first visit to the Club. Bryan, regarded as one of the UK's top drummers for the past 30+ years, began on drums at six and is self-taught, with some lessons from the legendary Philly Joe Jones. Since the 1960's Bryan, a prodigious technician and master time keeper, has been part of many leading bands, working with the likes of Stan Tracey, Tubby Hayes, Joe Williams, George Coleman and Charlie Rouse amongst many others. In addition for many years he has led his own bands, enhancing his reputation as a superb jazz musician.

The support band for tonight's concert features a quartet led by TIM LAPTHORN, a young pianist with a very bright future. This band is well worth hearing.

A great evening's music is promised in the company of some of the finest musicians around.

Sunday, 18th November 2001

AVISHAI COHEN and the INTERNATIONAL VAMP BAND

Music starts- 8.00pm (no support set)

Tickets: £15 (£10 Club members)

We are delighted to welcome this superb New York band, led by double-bassist/pianist AVISHAI COHEN, who is widely regarded as one of the most gifted musicians to be heard anywhere.

Familiar to US and International audiences for his work with pianists Chick Corea and Danilo Perez and vocalist Nneena Freelon, Avishai Cohen has been taking the New York jazz world by storm since he moved there in 1992. He's living proof of the muticultural nature of jazz, fusing ethnic influences from his homeland (Israel), with contemporary post-modern jazz. Cohen has crafted a swinging, accessible blend of music that has wide appeal and enabled him to reach large audiences. When Cohen arrived in New York in '92, it did not take him long to get established and word quickly spread of his prodigious talent on bass. He was soon working with such luminaries as Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Redman, Roy Hargrove and Paquito D'Rivera. He was then hired by pianist Danilo Perez to work in his trio and more recently, Avishai has become a regular member of Chick Corea's trio.

Avishai Cohen, who was born in Israel before moving to New York , started his musical journey as a kid playing piano, studying the instrument until his late teens. He then decided to switch to electric bass, moving back to Israel with his family when he was 16. Already heavily into bebop, fusion and rock, he enrolled in the Music & Arts High School in Jerusalem, but it did not satisfy his musical needs, so he left after a year to gig in the clubs. Soon after he was drafted into the Israeli army for the three year compulsory service. Freed from a third year of military service, Cohen bought a double bass and in his own words.."practised incessantly, not leaving the house for a year and a half". Such is the dedication of the jazz musician! Shortly afterwards, Avishai moved back to New York and word of his amazing technique spread rapidly. As well as his work on the double-bass, he is equally at home on the piano, where he does all his composing.

Avishai Cohen founded his INTERNATIONAL VAMP BAND this year in New York. The material of this band has, in the leader's words 'lots of vamps and grooves.. and is a multicultural band which for me (Avishai) is a great message in itself'. The line-up of the band will be:

AVISHAI COHEN, piano (Israel)
YAGIL BARAS, bass (Israel)
ANTONIO SANCHEZ, drums (Mexico)
YOSVANY TERRY, saxophones (Cuba)
AVI LEBOVICH, trombone (Israel)
DIEGO URCOLA, trumpet (Argentina)

Don't miss this rarely seen line-up- a superb night's music is guaranteed.

Sunday, 16th December 2001

TINA MAY, JACQUELINE DANKWORTH and ALAN BARNES with the NIKKI ILES TRIO

Music starts: 8.00pm. (no support set)

Tickets: £15 (£10 Club members)

What a line-up for this year's Christmas special at the Club! Not one, but two fabulous female vocalists, joined by the best reedsman in the UK with a superb rhythm section.

TINA MAY, a great favourite at the Club, is regarded by many as one of the UK's leading jazz singers, a view confirmed with her success at the British Jazz Awards, when she was voted best vocalist in 1998. Over the past few years, Tina has sustained a busy touring schedule, performing in Toronto, South America, Monte Carlo, Munich as well as numerous UK dates. In addition, in 1999, Tina became the first non-American artiste to appear at the prestigious Lionel Hampton Club in Paris. To date, she has recorded eight solo albums and has featured in concert with the BBC Big Band, Stan Tracey Orchestra and Bobby Watson. In addition to her solo work, Tina May is a very highly regarded jazz educator and is due to appear at the 2002 International Conference of Jazz Educators in California, along with pianist Nikki Iles.

JACQUELINE DANKWORTH worked extensively as an actress with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre before deciding to concentrate on her singing career and is now much in demand on the UK jazz scene and also abroad. Since her debut at Ronnie Scott's in 1995, Jacqueline has been performing extensively with her own band 'Field of Blue', receiving glowing reviews for their two CD's and performances. Miss Dankworth recently performed newly commissioned arrangements of Gershwin with the BBC Big Band at the Barbican and Symphony Hall, Birmigham. Her latest CD 'For All We Know', a duet recording with pianist James Pearson, has rightly received excellent reviews. This will be Jacqueline's first appearance at the Club and one that is eagerly awaited.

ALAN BARNES is widely regarded as the best and most versatile saxophonist/clarinetist in the UK. He has made numerous CD's and worked with just about everyone on the jazz scene. Alan has led his own quartet for many years and is always a great favourite at the Club.

Completing the band are a superb rhythm section led by NIKKI ILES (piano), with ALEC DANKWORTH (double-bass) and TRISTAN MAILLOT (drums).

You are advised to book your seats early- or risk missing one of the best Xmas concerts to be found anywhere.