The Tommaso Starace Quartet

The hard-swinging Italian alto saxophonist with a post-Parker flair returns with an all-star band, a few standards and impressive new compositions that reflect the diverse inspirations of Maurice Ravel, Cannonball Adderley, Ennio Morricone and Stevie Wonder. Starace’s sparkling lines set the mood with forthright support from Frank Harrison (piano), Will Collier (double bass) and Chris Nickolls (drums). Listen to Tommaso’s music here and here

'The promising Starace seems to be revealing his most personal voice in the full-on music'
John Fordham, The Guardian

Admission - £7 / £6 (concession)

Loz Speyer's
Inner Space Music

The music of trumpet / flugelhorn player and composer Loz Speyer is hard to pin down - by turns boisterous, gritty, graceful and swinging. Speyer draws on Ornette Coleman, Steve Lacy, Dave Holland and qigong philosophy to make a heady brew that is always intriguing and exciting. ISM also features the bustling, interactive energy of Rachel Musson (tenor / soprano sax), Olie Brice (double bass) and Graham Fox (drums). Listen to the band's music here

One of the happiest evenings I've heard in jazz for many a long night…music as rare as this defies description’
Karl Dallas, The Morning Star

‘Sophisticated and harmonically intriguing… well worth waiting for’
John Fordham, The Guardian

Admission - £7 / £6 (concession)

Compassionate Dictatorship

The return of Jez Franks (guitar) and Tori Freestone (tenor sax) co-leading a band drawn from the influential F-ire collective and the cutting-edge of UK jazz. Performing original compositions of fractured beauty, atmospheric grooves and free-wheeling improvisation from their new album, ‘Cash Cow’. Also featuring the great rhythm section of Jasper Høiby (double bass) and James Maddren (drums). Listen to the band's music here and here

‘This is a muscular but intelligent band playing immediately accessible, spirited yet carefully wrought music’
Chris Parker, jazz journalist.

‘This new band is another vital example of UK musicians embracing and incorporating both free jazz and rock elements into an edgy, risk taking approach to their music’
Jazzwise magazine

Admission - £7 / £6 (concession)

The Graeme Culham Sextet
Play
Buddy’s Review

A celebration of the music of Buddy Rich (left).

Listen to Buddy's Review here

Full details to follow

Admission - £7 / £6 (concession)

*PLEASE NOTE*: details of concerts and musicians appearing are correct at the time of writing although changes are sometimes necessary. Please feel free to check with us before attending.

Somebody who decides to play jazz for a living knows he will struggle for the rest of his life, unless he opts for predictable and soothing compromise. Honest jazz involves public exploration. It takes guts to make mistakes in public, and mistakes are inherent. If there are no mistakes, it's a mistake. In Keith Jarrett's solo improvisations you can hear him hesitate, turn in circles for a while, struggle to find the next idea. Bird used to start a phrase two or three times before figuring out how to continue it. The heart and soul of improvisation is turning mistakes into discovery. On the spot. Now. No second draft. It can take a toll night after night in front of an audience that just might be considering you shallow.

From 'Close Enough For Jazz', Mike Zwerin (1983)

Now, divine air! Now is his soul ravished! Is it not strange that sheeps' guts should hale souls out of men's bodies? Well, a horn for my money, when all's done.

From 'Much Ado About Nothing' (Act II, Scene iii), William Shakespeare (1600)

Onstage, he storms inwardly, glaring at his audience, wincing at his trumpet, stabbing and tugging at his ear. Often his solos degenerate into a curse blown again and again through his horn in four soft beats. But Miles can break hearts. Without attempting the strident showmanship of most trumpeters, he still creates a mood of terror suppressed - a lurking and highly exciting impression that he may some day blow his brains out playing.

Barry Farrell, writing in Time Magazine (February 28 1964)