Sunday 28 October 2012

Some hot winter warming stuff at Seven Jazz this November...

November – you’ll be burning all that old rubbish at bonfire night. Lucky we never get any old rubbish at Seven Jazz, just the best music! We hope you enjoyed our October presentations – highlights were the award winning Liane Carroll at her very best – a concert full of new tunes and old jokes, Katie Patterson’s new Big Band and their driving take on music of Steely Dan, and finally the inimitable John Taylor on solo piano in our Leeds celebration of his 70th birthday. If you’ve missed any gigs then you might find a catch up video clip or two on our You Tube site here http://www.youtube.com/user/stevecrocker1?feature=mhee. October was a sad month as well in that it saw the passing of our great supporter Colin Watson – we remembered him with a lovely afternoon and evening of jazz music at Seven Arts on 24th October. He’ll be remembered fondly by all of us.

So what’s happening in November? It is shaping up to be a superb month jazz wise, with some of the big names in jazz appearing both at Seven Arts and at other venues in Leeds.  Let’s start with a treat for all lovers of swing and big band jazz with the appearance at Seven Arts of astonishing multi-instrumentalist Al Woods and his nine piece band.

Sunday afternoon 4 November: Al Woods Nonet
Al Wood- trumpet and director, Jim Corry – alto James Russell – alto Stuart MacDonald -  tenor Simon Kaylor – tenor Sam Thornton – baritone, Phil Steel – piano Garry Jackson – bass  Bob Howard – drums
Al is at home as much on alto and baritone saxophones as the trombone and trumpet. He was a member of the Maynard Ferguson Big Band, apparently the only musician to have played every "chair" in the band. He was also until recently deputy head of jazz performance at Leeds College of Music and is a nationally respected big band leader. His nine piece band has a dream line up of some of the best mainstream and bop players in the Yorkshire region
Only £5/4 concessions, kids under 16 free, doors open at 1pm, music 1.30-4pm at Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton!

Thursday evening 8 November 8pm: Benn Clatworthy Quartet
Benn Clatworthy, tenor sax, John Donaldson piano, Simon Thorpe bass, Josh Morrison drums
Welcome return from US based tenor sax star Benn Clatworthy, a former member of the Horace Silver band, and musical associate of Cedar Walton, Lionel Hampton, Jimmy Cleveland, and many other jazz greats. Benn is appearing at Seven Arts along with lyrical jazz pianist John Donaldson, in-demand bass player Simon Thorpe and rising London based jazz star drummer Josh Morrison who is making his first appearance with us.
£15/12 concessions, kids under 16 free, doors open at 8pm, music 8.30-11pm at Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton, tel 0113 26 26 777; full time student standby £5 on the door only

Sunday afternoon 11 November: Kevin Holbrough Quintet
Kev Holbrough trombone, Rob Mitchell tenor sax, Jamil Sheriff piano, Gary Jackson bass, Sam Gardner drums
Leeds based Kevin Holbrough is a busy freelance trombonist, session musician and educator. His quintet features some of the finest talent in the local jazz scene – a welcome return of a very talented musician.. They will be performing original compositions and music that are influenced by Benny Golson, Curtis Fuller, JJ Johnson through to the contemporary sounds of New York sextet “One for All” and Steve Davis
£5/4 concessions, kids under 16 free, doors open at 1pm, music 1.30-4pm at Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton

Sunday afternoon 18 November: Katie Patterson's Allsorts
Russ Henderson sax, Eirik Svela guitar, Aron Kyne keyboards, Pete Gavin on bass, Katie Patterson on drums
Allsorts band fuses jazz, rock and neo soul - a mixture of original music and arrangements of tunes by others. They get great responses from their audiences. Katie Patterson is a freelance drummer/composer/teacher based in Leeds, England. Most recently, she received the Jazz Yorkshire Young Musician of the Year Award for 2012. She graduated from Leeds College of Music in 2011. Her recent Big Band performance at Seven Arts was sold out, so get there early and get a band apron!
£5/4 concessions, kids under 16 free, doors open at 1pm, music 1.30-4pm at Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton

Thursday evening 22 November 8pm: Kim Macari’s “6 for 7”
Kim Macari trumpet, Riley Stone-Lonergan tenor/soprano, Ant Law  guitar, Declan Forde piano, Tom Wheatley bass and Steve Hanley drums
This is the first of two evening concerts to mark our fifth birthday. We have commissioned young Leeds based trumpeter Kim Macari to write some new music for the occasion.  Kim is the band's director and composer, and she has a keen melodic sense, and a clever way of writing accessible jazz scores with a modern twist. One of the sets will be some jazz compositions we have commissioned from Kim - there will also be music from jazz composers like Maria Schneider, Michael Brecker and Charles Mingus. As it is our fifth birthday we will be having a bigger funnier raffle an exhibition of the photos of Seven Jazz gigs taken by our photographer Tom Swire and some music from the Seven Jazz workshop group
£12/10 concessions, kids under 16 free, doors open at 8pm, music 8.30-11pm at Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton tel 0113 26 26 777; full time student standby £5 on the door only

Friday evening 23 November 8pm: Gary Smulyan and Yorkshire Jazz Orchestra - an international celebration of the music of Pepper Adams
Our second concert to celebrate our fifth birthday is one of an international series features US baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan, onetime member of the Thad Jones- Mel Lewis orchestra. He will be the soloist celebrating the music of the late Pepper Adams.  The series of concerts is taking place mainly in the U.S, including one with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. The Seven Jazz concert is the only U.K. contribution to this international celebration of Pepper Adam's music. Gary Smulyan will be accompanied by Tony Faulkner’s Yorkshire Jazz Orchestra and performing Tony’s arrangements written specially for the series.
£15/12 concessions, kids under 16 free, doors open at 8pm, music 8.30-11pm at Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton, tel 0113 26 26 777; full time student standby £5 on the door only

Sunday afternoon 25 November: Autumn 2012 Seven Jazz cafe
You can bring your band, your voice or your instrument or just come to be entertained. These are always relaxed and always good fun - we have a rhythm section who will accompany those who need one so don't forget to bring some music or lead sheets, with Al Macsween on keyboards. The Seven Jazz workshop band will play a few tunes they have been practicing and our new jazz choir will get it’s first musical engagement. Chapel Allerton's got talent!
£5/4 concessions, kids under 16 free, (concessionary price includes performers), doors open at 1pm, music 1.30-4pm at Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton

Jazz Workshops
Our Autumn 2012 Saturday jazz workshop series continue at Seven Arts on the following dates
Saturday 3 November 2.30-4.30pm
Saturday 17 November 2.30-4.30pm
Saturday 24 November 2.30-4.30pm
This autumn the theme is the British songbook.  They’ve been learning the music of Duncan Lamont and Lennon and McCartney + Limehouse Blues! Come and join the fun – all welcome. Cost £8/6 concessions per session. For further information & bookings contact Jean Watson by email at jeanwatsonlifeskills@hotmail.com or phone her on 0113 237 0700.

The Friday night Dom Moore workshop improvisation group continues at the Methodist Centre Chapel Allerton 7-10pm
Friday 9 November 7.30-10pm
Friday 23 November 7.30-10pm
Cost £5 per session. Contact Dominic Moore : dominicgmoore@hotmail.com  

Our new “Jazz Voices” choir meets 7-9pm at Inkwell, Potternewton Lane, Chapel Allerton LS73LW (the former Shoulder of Mutton pub).
Why not come and try out our new Jazz Voices choir an eclectic mix of jazz, pop, gospel and blues run by our good friend and star jazz vocalist Nicki Allan?
Monday 28 October 7-9pm
Monday 12 November 7-9pm
Lots of fun, no experience necessary, just a love of singing and jazz. To sign up contact us via jeanwatsonlifeskills@hotmail.com or phone 0113 237 0700 or come along! Just £5 per session

For all details of all our events and latest news updates see us on www.sevenjazz.co.uk, follow us on Twitter or befriend us on facebook. Look forward to seeing you soon at Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton, 31 Harrogate Road, Leeds LS3 3PD

Other Leeds gigs in November
Lots of other good gigs happening in Leeds in November at other places - here are some we’d recommend…
The busiest evening definitely will be Tuesday 13 November in Leeds when US veteran saxman Charles McPherson plays the Leeds Venue, fellow US saxman Jerry Bergonzi is on down the road at the Sela Bar and hip US band Snarky Puppy play next door at the Wardrobe. Jazz marathon anyone? Leeds Assembly Rooms promote drummer Tommy Evans “Green Seagull” suite on Saturday 10 November and Jack DeJohnette/Don Byron on 14th November. Finally Leeds SELA bar completes the picture in Leeds with a couple more headliners, Kit Downes’ Troyka on the 19 November and New York-based saxophonist Will Vinson on the 26th Nov. Phew!


Steve Crocker
Leeds Seven Jazz

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York Theatre Royal Fri 5 -Sat 27 October 2012  presents The Guinea Pig Club written by Susan Watkins.   Review by Eve Winterburn

Photo by Karl Andre Photography
Bold and brash a play of conflicts and surprises with touches of humour and the spirit of war time, The Guinea Pig Club written by Susan Watkins lands at York Theatre Royal deftly directed by Damian Cruden and warmly received by Wednesdays audience.
A thought provoking play which transports the audience back in time to world war two and the forgotten air force burn victims. Life for these burned and injured men is not pretty as social outcasts they feel they have nothing to lose and put their trust in McIndoe a consultant plastic surgeon.
Tensions run high as McIndoe's methods bring conflict to staff and service men. In this moment life is in limbo and the men find ways to cope often with poignant humour which weaves through the play.
 The play opens as McIndoe explains his life and aspirations, played by Graham Hawley with swaggering arrogance as he takes control of the ward and the lives of people around him. Archibald McIndoe wins over the nurses and Graeme Hawley the audience in his performance as consultant.
The service men are revealed in their beds in ward 111 and the head of a ventriloquist’s dummy peeping out of the covers sends a ripple of laughter throughout the audience. Tom the ventriloquist has his own way of coping with the ridicule of his situation. Played by George Ure self effacing, as Tom with complex emotions expressed through humour.
Enter new patient Nick played wretched and defeated by Rollo Skinner, not wanting to live with disfigurement. Mutilated hands and face make him want to kill himself and reject his family. As the play progresses Nic accepts the treatment, and develops a relationship with nurse Alice Harwood played dutifully by Anna O Grady. The relationship grows in spite of Nick's alarming and realistic appearance, courtesy of Steve Outwaite (Prosthetics).
Emotions run high when Nic learns that nurse Harwood was part of the treatment. Nic feels betrayed. He confronts McIndoe and tensions rise as a fight breaks out between them. Fellow patients stare in disbelief, their startled expressions picked out and frozen in the light, lighting designer Richard G Jones captures the scene to great effect. In a realistic scene choreographed by Liam Evans Ford, McIndoe is thrown to the ground raising a gasp from the audience.
Moments later the flamboyant singer Frances Day played pouting and flamboyant by Sarah Applewood swept on to the stage all lipstick and silk, a vision of 1940’s loveliness and a perfect juxtaposition to the dreary ward as she sang fulsomely and resonant through powerful evocative  wartime songs.
The audience roared with laughter as Frances hopped across the stage singing the song ‘Run Rabbit’ Frances sang at each scene change bringing a feeling of wartime resistance, of spirits up in face of adversity. The choice of songs by musical director and arranger Christopher Madin, captured the character of the times and the live for today attitude of wartime  Britain.
Every so often through the play an aircraft rumbles overhead and bombs drop all around. Sound designer John Leonard impacts realism and reminds us of the war that brought these people together and shaped their lives.
Bold and brash soft and touching the complexities of relationships under the shroud of war is explored. Susan Watkins steers us through the story showing us that the choices people make in life can take unexpected turns. This is a great play come and see it.

Eve Winterburn



Tickets and More>

Friday 5 October 2012

Centre Stage/Martin House Auction News

Glassbody
On the 4th October I attended the press launch of Centre Stage's search for a talented band to play at the Leeds and Reading Festival in 2013. We were entertained by last year's winners, Glassbody from Allerton Grange School and The Mexanines from the year before. Sarah Smith, the organiser, thanked both artists and then went on to say that the heats will be held at the wardrobe on the week commencing 22nd April 2013 and the final once again at the O2 Academy Leeds on 17th July. New this year is the on-line auction beginning at 7.30pm on the 5th October. There are over 40 donations from bands. One a day will be placed on e-bay and auctioned over 7 days.
The list of items to be auctioned are:-
1. The Cure - signed Leeds set list and Robert Smith signed vinyl.

2. Kasabian - signed Leeds Festival promo board /2 * signed 10" * 8"  b&w phot0graphs/dressing room sign.

3. The Cribs - signed set list/signed Leeds Festival Poster/used drumsticks.

4. Enter Shikari - used band keyboard, signed.

5. Foo Fighters - signed, used snare drum skin/Leeds Festival Pass/signed dollar bill note.

6. 2 * T-Shirts - signed by all artists, comedians  at this year's Leeds Festival, Alternative Stage inc; Al Murray, Reginald D Hunter, Lee Nelson, Adam Hills, Jason Byrne, Stephen K Amos and Seann Walsh.

7. Mastodon - signed snare drum skin/ poster/7" promo cd.

8. Feeder - signed bass drum skin, "to Joey from Slipknot" because he was unwell...... also unsigned white label Generation Freakshow album/3 * "Borders" 7" or 12" (signed).

9. Mystery Jets - signed T-Shirt *2 and cd * 2.

10. Gallows - signed cd. T-Shirt with signed photo sticker.

11. Black Keys - signed promo poster.

12. Kaiser Chiefs - signed Leeds Festival Crew T-Shirt

13. Bullet For My Valentine - signed snare drum skin.

14. All Time Low - 2 * signed worn T-Shirt, signed set list and ATL small toys.

15. Gaslight Anthem - signed set list and GA boxset.

16. Band Of Skulls - signed and beautifully artworked snare drum skin.

17. Pulled Apart By Horses - signed snare drum skin.

18. Two Door Cinema Club -  signed snare drum skin.

19 The Horrors - signed snare drum skin.

20. The View -   signed snare drum skin/signed yellow ukulele.

21. Deaf Havana - signed snare drum skin.

22. Angels and Airwaves - signed set list.

23. Crystal Castles - signed dressing room sign, by Alice!

24. Bombay Bicycle Club - signed set list.

25. Paramore - signed snare drum skin.

26. Maccabees - signed Leeds poster with Polaroid of band member.

27. Spector - signed set list * 3.

28. The Blackout -  signed snare drum skin.

29. The Hives - signed set list.

30. Future Of The Left - signed T-Shirt and promo album.

31. Youmeatsix - signed T-Shirt.

32. Florence & The Machin -  signed snare drum skin.

33. The Shins - signed set list.

34. We Are The In Crowd -  signed bass drum skin.

35. Don Broco -  signed snare drum skin.

36. Los Campsinos - signed drum stick and dressing room sign.

37. Jake Bugg - signed "Vote Leeds" T-Shirt and dressing room sign.

38. King Charles - signed blue towel.

39. Foster The People - signed poster with stickers.

40. Twin Atlantic - signed T-Shirt.

41. Mike Snow - signed set list and AAA pass

41. Friends - signed poster.

To get any of this good stuff start bidding NOW.
Good luck all .
Denis








Yorkshire Gig Guide

Saturday 29 September 2012

A pleasent evening at the White Swan in Yeadon

Last evening we called in at the White Swan in Yeadon where we were thoroughly entertained by a young artist Ricky Fleming. Ricky is a singer/songwriter/musician. He first picked up a guitar at the age of 17 and has been playing for the past 5 years. In June of this year he began to play in public. Since then he entered the Peace Mix competition and as a finalist travelled to Cornwall where he won the first prize which was to play at The Round House in London as support act to Tinchy Stryder. He also does covers, his favourite being "Fast Cars" by Tracy Chapman. With a voice of smoothest velvet and talented guitar playing he showcased his own songs with panache. A very promising young artist. One to watch. Click on play for a taster (unedited).
After a short break, the entertainment continued in a very different style when Ricky was joined on stage by Recaldo Fleming and Geoff Garrick belting out Reggae for the next hour which had the audience dancing in the aisles and swaying in their seats. We could have been at a beach party in Jamaica with the rum punches and sunshine. The time passed so quickly we were amazed when we were leaving and looked at the clock which said well after 11pm. Very satisfactory evening. Worth doing again.

More film on Yorkshire Gig Guide YorkshireGigGuide1 very shortly. Check it out.
Denis
Yorkshire Gig Guide

Sunday 9 September 2012

Modern Art In York

On a beautiful, warm Saturday afternoon (yesterday) my wife and I spent a cultured 2 hours looking at the exhibition which was given by various winners of prizes at various universities around the region. This is being held at Peasholme Green, just beyond Stonebow at the back of the Minster. There is a variety of exhibits from paintings to pottery and including a different slant on many everyday objects. Two that caught my eye were a painting by Bartosz Beda from Manchester Metropolitan University called "Human Needs". This to me gives an impression of a dining room with the bold vivid red strokes indicating a merge of activities which occur around the table at mealtimes.
The artist's own interpretation of this work















The second was a wax sphere which was created by artist Jamie Slater - an intriguing concept of an inner world of starlight shining on a variety of objects which draws the viewer into another place. Dark and moody on one hand yet peaceful, serene quality on the other. Standing back to view the whole the impression is of either an item rising through the floor or an object dropped gently from the skys - take your pick! We were able to chat to the artist, who is in her final year at Huddersfield University. She is now considering her next piece which may draw from her experience with the medium she has been working with in this project.

Jamie Slater with her exhibit


Jamie's summery of her sphere

This exhibition is on site until the end of November. Worth a visit.













Deniis
Yorkshire Gig Guide

Saturday 8 September 2012

The Hollow- Review Monday August 26th 2012

With comfy chairs and salubrious bar, there's a certain easiness about the Jaz Cafe & Bar that makes listening to music so delightful.

Abo Vo
Rob Bywater from Cleethorpes singer songwriter, honest,melodic, harmonic, personal songs. Very enjoyable rhythmic and melodic runs on guitar. An authentic voice of pure Yorkshire with hints of resonant harmonics that hang like jewels of hidden nuance paralleling the lyrics of his songs. Also lead singer in the band The Finest Hour music .com

Next was Mark Martindale singer songwriter, individual rough and ready emphasised voice very laid back. Strong guitaring.


Icarus
Next was Michael Farrah with a lovely range and deep resonant voice- comedic singer guitarist who you can find on MySpace and Tune co.

Then we were treated to Tom Stafford, from Brough who sang lovely songs particularly liked his version of dancing in the Moonlight, singer guitarist voice smooth with a touch of gravel

The band Abo Vo clear voice, good range resonant, rhythmic guitaring, lovely acoustic bass
interplay with improvisational feel, electric funk guitar, sweet lead playing and sparse jazzy keyboard riffs. Voice pure bell like with a drop of depth and resonance. Full on genre defying funky jazz rock.- Brill. 
Adam Davison singer songwriter guitarist from Cottingham. Powerfully resonant voice, good range lovely guitaring, picking riffs and rhythmic interplay,

ET 73 band, anthemic, sweet, resonant melodic voice harmonies; voice with edge, the other softer in harmonies.  Driving Cajun, rhythmic guitar, Rocking energetic and committed, relaxed and conversational with their audience.

Icarus, full on rock, covers of Thin Lizzy, David Bowie, Jimmy Hendrix, electric guitars, Bass, drums, strong vocals, raw beats galore.

......and of course wonderful sound management by Darren Bunting, we enjoyed our trip to Hull's 'The Hollow' acoustic night.


By Andrew Sugden
Yorkshire Gig Guide







Monday 27 August 2012

September is the time for that friendliest of Leeds gatherings...

September is the time for that friendliest of Leeds gatherings, the Chapel Allerton Arts Festival weekend that starts on Friday 31 August and runs through to Sunday 2 September in Regent Street, Chapel Allerton, Leeds

The Jazz Sunday on 2nd September 12.30-5.30pm is programmed by Seven Jazz and showcases some of the best of up and coming bands from the Leeds area.

The line-up for the Jazz Sunday of the festival is as follows

12.30pm Garforth Jazz Rock Band: directed by Dave Evans: energy, enthusiasm, musicality, fun from this huge youth orchestra.

1.30 Kate Peters Septet: pure jazz entertainment from popular jazz vocalist Kate Peters, Matt Anderson on tenor sax, Ian Chalk on trumpet, Aubin Vanns on guitar, Martin Longhawn on piano, John Marley on bass and Sam Gardner on drums

2.30 New York Brass Band: jazz and pop classics reworked for jazz brass band by new (and not so new!) kids on the block - Chris Caulfield and Simon Dennis on trumpet, Andrew Cox on tenor sax, Charlie Lancaster and Tim Hurst on trombone, James Lancaster on tuba, Rod Macnamara on drums

3.30 Yoruba: award winning jazz/salsa fusion with Greg Nichols trumpet, Ben Lowman alto sax, John Waugh tenor saxophone, Aron Kyne piano, Sam Vicary bass guitar, Ali Mac percussion, Tim Carter drums

4.30 Love Society: a choir from South Africa with  Thandanani Gumede, Nobuhle Mhlongo, Bongi Gwala, Mzwandile Ngema, Khethukuthula Kheswa and Xolani Mbatha accompanied by a jazz sextet featuring the piano of Dave Evans, bass Barry Ricarby, drums Alex Wibrew, trumpet James Hamilton, sax Sam Thornton and trombone Ric Colley

All this for the price of a £3 contribution to the Chapel Allerton Festival buckets!

Also there is lots of jazz or jazz related music elsewhere in the festival too this year - watch out on Friday for Seven Jazz favourite James Hamilton in Hope and Social and on Saturday for a cappella female jazz vocal group Solaris, soul n blues from the Terry Shalatiel band, traditional jazz from White Eagles Jazzmen, Dudley Nesbitt with his student pan band, Joe Tatton with Rodina, the funky Haggis Horns and the East Park Reggae Collective featuring Jonny Tomlinson, Scott Devine, Anna Stott and more

Our Sunday afternoons start back again the following week at Seven Arts, 31 Harrogate Road, LS73PD as follows.

Sunday afternoon 9 September 1pm: Rafael Karlen Quintet
Rafael Karlen- tenor saxophone, Kim Macari- trumpet, Zezo Olimpio- piano, Georg Rüschenmeyer- bass, Dave Smyth- drums
Rafael Karlen is an Australian composer, arranger and jazz saxophonist currently based in York. He performs in a number of jazz and contemporary music ensembles, and has toured extensively, receiving attention as one of the most important musicians of his generation on the Australian Jazz scene. Drawing on influences ranging from the music of Keith Jarrett, Wayne Shorter, Kenny Wheeler, Ornette Coleman and Morton Feldman, all the quintet members collectively stretch and contribute. This will be one of the last chances of getting to hear Rafael before he returns down under. £5/4 concessions, kids under 16 free, doors open at 1pm, music 1.30-4pm

Sunday afternoon 16 September 1pm: Jenny Smith Quintet
Jenny Smith-vocals, Andy Cholerton- piano, Richard Hammond- bass, Paul Smith- drums, Al Morrison- guitar, Jim Corry- sax
Chapel Allerton’s own popular young jazz singer fronts a talented group playing arrangements of classic jazz standards, stylish soul ballads and funky blues tunes.
£5/4 concessions, kids under 16 free, doors open at 1pm, music 1.30-4pm


Sunday afternoon 23 September: Mikayo Jazz Quartet
Pete Lyons (tenor sax), Alex Baker (alto sax), Rich Keates (double bass), Johnny Hunter (drums)
New and exciting Sheffield-based jazz quartet formed to explore the flexible format of the chordless quartet. From Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker in the '50s, through to Ornette Coleman's '60s bands to Dave Holland and others in the '90s, the piano-less quartet has come a long way. "Miyako" have a contemporary take on this tradition with brand new compositions, drawing on many aspects of the modern jazz heritage. Good to see tenor saxman Pete Lyons at Seven at last too.
£5/4 concessions, kids under 16 free, doors open at 1pm, music 1.30-4pm


Thursday evening 27th September 8pm : Quentin Collins-Brandon Allen quartet
Quentin Collins- trumpet, Brandon Allen -tenor sax, Ros Stanley- organ and Enzo Zirilli- drums
The first of our evening international concerts of the autumn will be one to savour. Trumpeter Quentin Collins and tenor saxophonist Brandon Allen share inspiration in the glory days of hard bop and the music of Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley and its other great proponents. Interesting melodies and well-crafted solos played over a swinging organ-and-drums rhythm section. The band are due to top the bill at this year’s Scarborough jazz festival.
£15/12 concessions are available in advance from Seven Arts 0113 26 26 777, online from “We Got Tickets” http://www.wegottickets.com/event/178109 or on the door. Stand by tickets for full time students are £5 on the door only (we usually squeeze people in!). Doors open 8pm for the concert- music is 8.30-11pm.


Sunday afternoon 30 September 1pm: European Union Quintet
  
Iman Spaargaren-sax, Dan Whieldon -piano,  Ulrich Elbracht - guitar, Gavin Barras- bass, Marek Dorcik drums
No jokes about the euro, please. We're doing our bit for euro-unity at Seven Jazz. Atmosphere and emotions are key words for this combination of a Dutch, a German, a Slovak and English jazz musicians that for the European Union Quintet. British bass player Gavin Barras and Dutch saxophonist Iman Spaargaren got inspired to work together and form a European band. They have been joined by Slovakian drummer Marek Dorcik and German guitar player Ulrich Elbracht joined the group. Dan Whieldon, a fine young English jazz pianist completes the group.
£5/4 concessions, kids under 16 free, doors open at 1pm, music 1.30-4pm


Jazz Workshops
Our Autumn 2012 series of tutored jazz workshops start on Saturday 8 September and continue on Saturday 22 September. These are held at Seven Arts, 31A Harrogate Road, Leeds, LS7 3PD 2-30 to 4-30 pm and cost £10/£8 concessions. We usually work towards playing two or three numbers as part of our ‘Jazz Café’ on Sunday afternoon 25 November. Workshop members need to have some experience of playing (say a couple of years), and an interest in jazz, though not necessarily in playing it – just a willingness to have a go!  Sight reading experience is useful but not essential. Contact Jean Watson by email at jeanwatsonlifeskills@hotmail.com or phone 0113 237 0700 or speak to us at our Sunday afternoon jazz or at any of our evening jazz concerts.

Dominic Moore runs our Seven jazz improvisation group at the Methodist Centre, Chapel Allerton for more experienced players. Dom brings charts for the group to play through. The dates in September are Friday 14th and 28th £5 per session, 7.30-10pm. Some facility at jazz reading and improvisation is helpful. Contact Dominic Moore: dominicgmoore@hotmail.com

For all details of all our events and latest news updates see us on www.sevenjazz.co.uk, follow us on Twitter or befriend us on our Seven Jazz facebook page.

Look forward to seeing you soon at Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton, 31 Harrogate Road, Leeds LS3 3PD!

Steve Crocker
Seven Jazz Leeds- Jazz Yorkshire club of the year 2012

Wednesday 22 August 2012

Leeds Underground finale

 After a glorious week-long festival, Leeds Underground finally came to a resounding conclusion across multiple venues hosting the last night. 
These were the Empire, Carpe Diem, The Grove Inn and Oporto.
 I opted for the Carpe Diem to start with, where I was treated to the delights of  Bury The Ladybird who's raw, pulsating rhythms and lyrics had the audience cheering, dancing and jumping. 

Then I went off to the Grove Inn and enjoyed a  change of pace with pure acoustic music played to a full room with standing space only.
 The Yorkshire Gig Guide and Yorkshire Music Collective would like to thank all the participants of this
year's Underground - All the venues, the sound personnel, bar staff and volunteers who worked so hard to make this a festival to remember, and all who contributed towards the featured charity of Martin House Children's Hospice at Boston Spa near Leeds.
Already looking forward to next year.
Denis
Yorkshire Gig Guide





Sunday 19 August 2012

Leeds Underground @ the New Conservatory - What a Night!



 Yorkshire Gig Guide hosted the Leeds Underground gig at the New Conservatory last night and WHAT A NIGHT!!!
Kicking off was one of the Battle of the Bands winners Traffic Wire. A young, talented band who set the pace for the evening leading us nicely into Asio's Eyes, another talented young band hailing from York. This band has recently reinvented itself from the original duo who we first met at Limetree Festival. As if this was not enough we then listened to Sharp Darts - a Bradford band who emphasise the local talent in that area.
Traffic Wire
We were now getting close to our headliners but first we were treated to the sounds of Kascarade who are another Bradford band - just check out the talent this city produces - who put the icing on the cake of entertainment before the appearance on stage of the legendary Tom Hingley performing with his band Not In Education.
A wonderful night was had by all. We must not forget that this was in aid of the Underground charity Martin House Children's Hospice. Over the 3 nights at The New Conservatory more than £100 was raised. Thanks to everyone who made a donation.
On behalf of Yorkshire Gig Guide I would like especially to thank Sam and Festival Jimmy for their sterling work as our sound men who gave their time freely and were endorsed by Tom Hingley who said they were polite, professional and extremely helpful, and complimented the quality of sound on the night.
Sadly the evening was over all too soon but for more wonderful music the Leeds Underground Festival continues at various venues until 22nd August.
For times and places check out the website www.undergroundfest.co.uk

Sharp Darts
Thanks also to Nic at the New Conservatory for all his support and providing a superb venue over the three days,
Denis
Yorkshire Gig Guide
Asio's Eyes



Kascarade





Tom Hingley and Not In Education