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

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

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

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

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 14^th and 28^th £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

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

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