Music Spoken Here

Eddie Gripper Trio
2024-01-25 20:00 - 23:00 (Europe/London) | The Marr’s Bar, 12 Pierpoint Street, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR1 1TA, United Kingdom
Thoughtful compositions and minimalist improvisation from an exceptional 22 year old pianist emerging on the British jazz scene
Hailing from Oxford and now based in Cardiff, pianist, composer and educator Eddie Gripper released his debut album “Home” on the prestigious Ubuntu Records label in March 2023. Delightfully minimalist improvisation brings to life the stories behind each of his thoughtful compositions. He has worked as a performer, promoter and producer alongside top musicians on the UK jazz scene including Huw Warren, Iain Ballamy, Laura Hurd, Alex Merritt, Yuri Golubev, Eric Ford, Kevin Glasgow and John Parricelli – quite a CV for such a young man.
“A remarkably mature-sounding trio album from a pianist who is still only 22….Richly atmospheric” – London Jazz News
“In its maturity of approach and deftness of execution, Home is a significant achievement by any standards” – Jazzwise Magazine
“Gripper is a multi-faceted writer and his compositions are full of delightful and unexpected twists and turns” – The Jazz Mann
Eddie’s trio is completed with Ursula Harrison on bass and Patrick Barrett-Donlon on drums.
Doors 8PM. Show starts 8:30PM

TICKETS
Music Spoken Here prides itself in offering exceptional live music experiences in Worcester at a price affordable to you. Our fortnightly events at The Marr’s Bar are ticketless, just show up on the night and pay what you can afford on the door.
The suggested contribution for this event is £10-15.
You can find out more about our admission and membership options at A New Approach

FNUK ft. Jason Rebello, Paul & Jeremy Stacey
2024-01-11 20:00 - 23:00 (Europe/London)
All-star line-up of friends playing their favourite fusion from Metheny, Holdsworth, Weather Report and more!
We are totally stoked to welcome this incredible band with some big names in the line-up to Worcester to play one of their rare gigs for us at The Marrs Bar!
FNUK evolved out of the Bournemouth jazz scene in the late 2000s and the band aims to perform three or four gigs a year, taking on challenging music that the members have fun preparing and playing. In this gig the group go back to their musical roots to perform an evening of classic jazz fusion as well as some contemporary compositions. Expect renditions of Metheny, Holdsworth, Weather Report and the like, but take a look at this incredible line-up!

TICKETS
CURRENT REGISTRATIONS:

40% of capacity
Music Spoken Here prides itself in offering exceptional live music experiences in Worcester at a price affordable to you. Our fortnightly events at The Marr’s Bar are operated on a ticketless, ‘pay-what-you-can’ on the door model, which works well for most shows considering our typical audience size and venue capacity.
The suggested contribution for this event is £15-20.
For more popular shows like this where we may reach venue capacity, it is important that we monitor expected attendance to ensure the venue is adequately staffed and avoid turning people away at the door. We therefore request that you register interest in attending this event and we will provide regular updates by email. We will also provide updates through this event webpage, our standard mailing list and all our social media channels.
Music Spoken Here Club Members will be given priority if spaces become limited. You can find out more about our admission and membership options at A New Approach

Classically trained but inspired by Herbie Hancock, Jason Rebello released his debut album A Clearer View in 1990, produced by Wayne Shorter. He went on to release three more solo albums collaborating with Jocelyn Brown, Tony Remy, Cleveland Watkiss, Joy Rose and Maxi Jazz among many others. Following the untimely death of piano legend Kenny Kirkland, who was playing in Sting’s band since Dream of the Blue Turtles, Sting invited Jason to take his seat with the band in 1998, going on to record three albums and tour with Sting, including the live recorded All This Time concert at Sting’s home in Tuscany on the night of September 11, 2001. Sting introduced Jason to guitar legend Jeff Beck, who was looking for a keyboard player to follow Jan Hammer. Jason was recruited and toured with Jeff Beck for 6 years. In 2013 Jason released Anything But Look featuring Omar, Will Downing, Jacob Collier, Joy Rose, Pino Palladino, Troy Miller, Paul Stacey, Jeremy Stacey, Miles Bould, George Rebello and Xantone Black. His solo piano CD Held on Edition Records won best new CD in the 2016 British Jazz Awards. More recent projects include Duology last year with long-time friend and collaborator saxophonist Tim Garland.
Jeremy Stacey started learning piano at an early age but later switched to drums, playing the London jazz clubs by night while studying acting. He played drums on a number of Jason’s albums, was a member of The Lemon Trees with Guy Chambers, worked extensively with Sheryl Crow and was a member of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. He joined King Crimson in 2016 on drums, keyboards and backing vocals and toured most recently with them on Japan last year. Jeremy’s versatility has kept him busy throughout, working with well-known and varied artists including Neil Diamond, Tal Wilkenfeld, Steven Wilson, Madeleine Peyroux, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Wendy & Lisa, Amy Winehouse, Tina Turner, Tori Amos, Eagle Eye Cherry, Nene Cherry, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Waterboys, World Party, Aztec Camera, Gerard Presencer, Laurence Cottle, Tim Garland and Kenny Wheeler – believe me the list is much longer!
Paul Stacey is Jeremy’s twin brother – a guitarist, producer and actor. Like his brother he started learning piano and later switched to guitar. Equally as versatile, Paul has worked extensively with Oasis and Noel Gallagher, Black Crowes, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Madonna, Omar, Jamie Cullum, KT Tunstall, Beverly Knight, Eddie Reader, Elkie Brookes, Swing Out Sister, Robbie Williams, Brian McFadden, Wayne Krantz, Dave Binney, Jamie Murray, Laurence Cottle, David Preston, Jason Rebello, Pino Palladino, Tommy Smith, Mornington Locket, Mark Fletcher, Gary Husband, Rob Malarkey, Clare Martin, Georie Fame, Ian Shaw, Steve Topping, Iain Ballamy, Jim Mullen, Bobby Wellins and Kenny Wheeler. As an actor he has appeared in Four Weddings and a Funeral, Sliding Doors, Macbeth at the Royal National Theatre, A Family Affair with Cheek by Jowl, Inspector Morse, Mysterioso and Men Behaving Badly.
Pete Case is a Bournemouth-based musician who began playing piano at the age of four. He befriended and played with Jeremy and Paul Stacey when they were teenagers and they all linked up with bassist Pat Davey many years ago to work in a band called Zen. In the mid-1980s Pete had a three-year spell working as a professional musician in London before completing his PhD and pursuing a career in the academic world (he currently leads research teams in the field of applied global health and has professorships at universities in Bristol, North Queensland and Singapore). Paul, Jeremy and Pete also met a teenage Jason Rebello and they became lifelong friends. Similarly, Pete met a teenage Tim Fulker when they both played in the Taverners’ Big Band, again in the 1980s. Pat, Tim and Pete formed FNUK in late 2000s and have been performing with the band since then.
Pat Davey has played bass guitar for over 45 years, covering many genres and touring in the UK and worldwide with various artists. In his early days he worked with The Tom Robinson Band and performed in The Blues Brothers in The West End. More recently he has been touring with Paul Young, Jim Cregan, Kenney Jones & Robert Hart and Terry Reid. Other artists he’s worked with include Rumer, Mike Rutherford, Rod Stewart & Ronnie Wood, Midge Ure, Jim Mullen, Mornington Lockett, Zoot Money and Mo Pleasure & The HHH Horns. Pat was also Musical Supervisor/MD for All Or Nothing The Musical about the life and times of ‘60s iconic band The Small Faces.
Tim Fulker is originally from Bournemouth and learned to play piano and violin from an early age, before taking up the clarinet aged 10. This led to a natural progression on to the saxophone at 17. After studying Music at London University, Tim went on to form the award-winning street jazz band Street Level, playing, amongst other venues, Cannes Film Festival, Edinburgh Fringe and London’s Waldorf Hotel. After a brief stay in London, where he recorded with Paul Hardcastle, Tony Hadley, and Dominic Miller, Tim moved to Ireland where he became part of the Cork music scene, getting to perform regularly at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. Highlights include playing with Louis Stewart and Spike Robinson. In 1998, Tim embarked on a 15-year sea voyage, spending many years as Musical Director on the QE2 liner, where he wrote and performed many arrangements for stars of Broadway and West End Musicals. Returning to terra firma, he joined Bournemouth “funksters” Groovemeister, whilst also touring Europe as lead alto sax with the Vegas based Definitive Rat Pack. Tim has also gigged with Sax Appeal. A founder member of FNUK, he considers this current project as his musical peak.
This is a rare opportunity to see these exceptional musicians play together up close and personal in a proper old-school music venue.

Reed Bass Live
2023-12-14 20:00 - 23:00 (Europe/London)
In-demand Birmingham bassist brings his band playing original creations and 21st Century re-working of Jazz, Soul and Reggae classics
Born and raised in Birmingham, UK, Reed is one of the most versatile and charismatic musicians to come out of the city in recent years. In 1998, Reed graduated from Birmingham Conservatoire, earning a first-class Bachelors of Music degree, graduating with honours. Since then he has performed, recorded and programmed for many artists including Wiley, Soweto Kinch, Mis-teeq, Busted, Lighthouse Family, Heatwave, Musical Youth, Gabbidon (ex Steel Pulse), Lady Leshurr, The Drifters, Andy Hamilton and Relley C (X-Factor 2015), Sasha Simone (The Voice 2014), Hannah Barrett (X-Factor 2014), Adina Howard and Omar to name a few.
Outside of his duties as a session musician, Reed leads his own band, playing a mix of both original compositions and 21st Century re-working of Jazz, Soul and Reggae standards, fusing the ‘old skool’ with the new, weaving an intoxicating blend of harmony, rhythm and melody to create an electrifying aural experience. With a wide range of influences, his music has been described as a fusion of the grew up listening to (Gospel, Funk, Reggae and Soul) with the generous portion of current urban music (Hip Hop, R&B, Dancehall, Grime) served on a bed of Jazz. Over the last 5 years they have become a a regular fixture on the Birmingham live music scene and have performed at Mostly Jazz Festival, Birmingham Jazz Festival and Cheltenham Jazz Festival.
Reed is joined by Leon Small (drums), Sam Rogers (sax), Reuben Reynolds (guitar) and Faisal Ahmed (keys)

TICKETS
Music Spoken Here prides itself in offering exceptional live music experiences in Worcester at a price affordable to you. Our fortnightly events at The Marr’s Bar are ticketless, just show up on the night and pay what you can afford on the door.
The suggested contribution for this event is £10-15.
All contributions for this event will be donated to Alzheimer’s Society, as a tribute to Music Spoken Here instigator Dave Fuller’s dad, who passed the day after our last show of 2022.
You can find out more about our admission and membership options at A New Approach

Check out this video of their performance in July, when they opened for Law of Three.

Hoop
2023-11-30 20:00 - 23:00 (Europe/London)
Brassy, funky, groovy jazz juice for your soul from a 7-piece collaboration oozing talent with every beat!
Saxophonist, composer and producer Paul Booth (Steely Dan, Carlos Santana, Van Morrison, Incognito, Jamiroquai, Gregory Porter, Chaka Khan) embarked on the project ‘Secret Sessions’ as an outlet for new music that is created, played and ultimately recorded by grouping like-minded artists and friends together. It works like this… Paul carefully selects highly talented musicians who turn up to the recording studio, only knowing the instrumentation of the music but not knowing who they will be playing with. The result is a dynamic cocktail of spontaneous, exciting and highly rewarding music.
Hoop emerged from the second of these sessions in 2019 with an incredible line-up! In the ‘engine room’ we have Ian Thomas (Seal, Steve Winwood, Incognito, Georgie Fame, Sting, Amy Winehouse, Mark Knopfler, Jim Mullen, ) on drums and Laurence Cottle (Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, Seal, Jason Rebello, Jim Mullen, James Taylor Quartet) on bass.
The horn section puts Booth alongside Ryan Quigley (Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin, George Michael, Vince Mendoza, Kurt Elling) on trumpet and Nichol Thomson (Incognito, Tina Turner, Paloma Faith, Omar, Beverly Knight, Brand New Heavies, Jamie Callum) on trombone.
Chris Allard (Tim Garland, John Helliwell, Dave O’Higgins, Dame Cleo Laine, Sir John Dankworth, Carleen Anderson, Claire Martin, Jamie Cullum) on guitar and Ross Stanley (Jim Mullen Organ Trio, Will Vinson, Dennis Rollins, Guy Barker, Michael Janisch, Liane Carroll, Stan Sulzman, Clark Tracey) on keys rounds out this incredible band.
This is a ticket-free, “Pay What You Can” event. Just add this event to your calendar, show up on the night and pay what you can afford (£5 minimum, cash or card) on the door. Click here for more information on how we are cutting our costs and making exceptional live music affordable to all in Worcester.

Corrie Dick
2023-11-02 20:00 - 23:00 (Europe/London)
Corrie Dick is at the rhythmic epicentre of a new era of innovative British jazz. Don’t miss this performance with his Sun Swells sextet
As a multi-instrumentalist who has recorded on piano, vocals, synth, guitar and trumpet, Corrie Dick’s writing is uniquely colourful and his playing shaped by many perspectives. The new album Sun Swells showcases all of this. Anchored by a rock guitar trio but with layers of fruity surprises, surging vocal melodies are counterpointed by mercurial horn playing.
He is lauded for his dynamism, his melodic slant and for his playfully subversive take on style and genre. An artist of prolific and varied output, Corrie has long been an essential component of Laura Jurd’s music including Mercury Prize shortlisted Dinosaur. He is a crucial co-pilot in Elliot Galvin Trio and Rob Luft Group and co-writes music with an abundance of artists including alternative Indie band Ink Line. He has studied the traditional and modern music of Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Benin and DR Congo alongside his prodigious creative companion, guitarist Rob Luft. Corrie is an original, open-minded, questing talent who is expanding the parameters of what it means to be a drummer.
His 2015 release Impossible Things, which skilfully fused Celtic folk and contemporary jazz with new takes on African rhythms culminated in sold out touring and concerts across the UK. Now Corrie resets for an album which further embraces the eclectic whims of a child of the iPod shuffle generation – finding cohesion among disparate elements.
For this show, Corrie is joined by Caius Williams (bass), Huw Warren (piano), James Kitchman (guitar), Joe Wright (sax) and Rebecka Edlund (vocals)
Line-up may be subject to change.

This is a ticket-free, “Pay What You Can” event. Just add this event to your calendar, show up on the night and pay what you can afford (£5 minimum, cash or card) on the door. Click here for more information on how we are cutting our costs and making exceptional live music affordable to all in Worcester.

Jingu Bang
2023-10-05 20:00 - 23:00 (Europe/London)
Funk-fusion mastery honouring the works of Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, Brotherly and others along with their own creations
During unsettled times, five travellers from distant lands went in search of their destiny. In the imposing mountains soaring high above the bamboo forests of Bristol, they banded together as one unstoppable force, and accepted the calling of the JINGU BANG.
Their free-flowing funk mastery is expressed across the lands through both their own creations and by honouring the works of Herbie Hancock & The Headhunters, Jaco Pastorius, Weather Report, Brotherly and others.
Join them in the earthly realms as they leave no stone unturned in their mission to bring you their irrepressible… funky magic!
Jingu Bang are Scott Hammond (drums), Greig Robinson (bass), Lisa Cherian (percussion), Dale Hambridge (keys) and Ruth Hammond (sax/flute/vocoder).

This is a ticket-free, “Pay What You Can” event. Just add this event to your calendar, show up on the night and pay what you can afford (£5 minimum, cash or card) on the door. Click here for more information on how we are cutting our costs and making exceptional live music affordable to all in Worcester.

Dan Lockheart "Roots to Leaves" with Alex Hitchcock
2023-09-21 20:00 - 23:00 (Europe/London)
Delightfully melodic compositions combined with spoken word in a new project from Birmingham saxophonist and composer
We are proud to present this special show in partnership with Jazz Midlands Mentorship Scheme.
In April this year, saxophonist, composer and Birmingham Conservatoire graduate Dan Lockheart released TreesSpeakWords, a project featuring an octet of some of Birmingham’s finest musicians. The idea was to personify our own connection with nature and explore the ways in which it supports and inspires us in our everyday lives through means of music, improvisation, and words. Dan was awarded a place on the Jazz Midlands 2023 Mentorship Scheme, through which he has developed the next chapter of the project, Roots to Leaves, as a quintet under the mentorship of renowned tenor saxophonist Alex Hitchcock.
Dan commissioned talented Birmingham based poets to write a piece based on one of five prompts: Seed, Roots, Trunk, Branches, Leaves.Each of their pieces has then been inspiration for each composition within the suite, with their words woven into the score it has led to some interesting and creative music making. The suite explores the comparisons that can be made between the life of a tree and that of our own; how we share vulnerabilities and must grow and change with time to best suit our environment.
This show features the quintet with Dan on sax, flute and spoken word along with Alex on tenor sax, Torin Davies (Soweto Kinch) on guitar, Josh Vadiveloo (Xhosa Cole, Soweto Kinch, Jean Toussaint) on bass and Jonno Gaze (Deepa Shakti, Germa Adan) on drums.

This is a ticket-free, “Pay What You Can” event. Just add this event to your calendar, show up on the night and pay what you can afford (£5 minimum, cash or card) on the door. Click here for more information on how we are cutting our costs and making exceptional live music affordable to all in Worcester.

Law of Three + Reed Bass
2023-07-20 20:00 - 23:00 (Europe/London)
Breathtaking virtuosity and innovation from a power-trio melding aspects of jazz, world, blues, funk, gypsy and classical music
World-renowned multigenre guitar virtuoso, composer and Fusion pioneer, Roy Marchbank formed Law of Three in 2022 with Andy Edwards (Robert Plant, IQ, Frost`*) on drums and Mark Hartley on bass. They bring together a broad range of musical influences and technology with incredibly skilled musicianship to deliver a unique fusion experience!
Be among the first to see this power-trio perform live.
Doors 8PM, show starts 8:30

Support from Reed Bass
We are delighted to announce that Reed Bass will be opening this show. Born and raised in Birmingham, sought-after session bassist Reed brings his his fusion band featuring Leon Small (drums), Sam Rogers (sax) and Faisal Ahmed (keys) playing original compositions and 21st Century re-working of Jazz, Soul and Reggae standards.

Zeñel
2023-06-22 20:00 - 23:00 (Europe/London)
Limited tickets available at 20% off with promo code EARLYBIRD – Offer ends 25 May 2023
Energetic, innovative and eclectic mix of beats, sounds and improvisation – no labels, just brilliant music!
Zeñel is a London-based quartet with a unique approach to computer-based performance, allowing them to create a poetic combination of jazz improvisation and electronic music. Their style is centred around sounds seldom heard in live band contexts, drawing upon influences from a plethora of electronic production styles including grime, UK drill, Afrobeats and future bass.
Zeñel are Laurence Wilkins (trumpet, guitar, electronics), Alex Wilson (keys), Jay Verma (keys) and Zoe Pascal (drums)

Francesco Lo Castro Quartet
2023-05-25 20:00 - 23:00 (Europe/London)
Lo Castro fuses his Italian melodic sense with funk, drum & bass, jazz harmonies and improvisation for a totally original experience

Limited tickets available at 20% off with promo code EARLYBIRD – Offer ends 27 April 2023
Italian guitarist, composer, musical director and lecturer Francesco Lo Castro appeared at The Marrs Bar in March with Robert Castelli’s BOOM. This time he returns with his own quartet playing his original music that brings together his Italian background and love of jazz with contemporary funk, soundscape and drum & bass influences.
Aside from his solo work Franceso has a long standing collaboration as guitarist and musical director with international multi-platinum recording artist Patrizio Buanne with whom he has toured the USA, Australia, Asia, Europe and Sounth Africa. He has also recorded for Geoff Wilkinson (Us3) and performed with Jim Mullen, Francesco Mendolia (Incognito), great italian trumpeter Fulvio Sigurta’, Roberto Manzin (James Brown), two times Grammy Award Winner Eric DeFade, Matteo Becucci (XFactor Italy winner 2009), jazz award winner singer Michela Lombardi, Maurizio Minardi and Bruno D’Ambra among others. In his career so far he has performed in prestigious venues and festivals. Among others the Montreal Jazz Festival, Hamer Hall (Melbourne), The State Theater (Sydney), The Concert Hall (New York), the Expo Center (Singapore), The Berklee Performance Center (Boston), the Benedum (Pittsburgh), Barbican Center (London), O2 Arena (London), the Pisa Jazz Festival and Palatrussardi Arena (Milan).
For this show Francesco is joined by Neil Bullock (Mica Paris, Beverley Knight, Chaka Khan, Kenny Thomas, Kid Creole, Dave O’Higgins, John Etheridge, Jean Toussaint) on drums, Rob Statham (Mike Stern, John Etheridge, Jim Mullen, Keith Emerson, Ian Carr’s Nucleus, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Mojo Buford, Ruby Turner and Dana Gillespie) on bass and Sam Leak on keys (“One of the brightest young stars in the jazz piano galaxy, a heavenly improviser and a brilliant prospect for the future.” – Helen Mayhew, Jazz FM).

Tristan Banks - View From Above album launch
2023-04-27 20:00 - 23:00 (Europe/London)
Brazilian vibes delivered with relentless energy from drummer Tristan Banks!
Drummer/composer Tristan Banks draws on over 30 years of experience as a sideman for many grammy award winning and multi-platinum selling artists (Roy Ayers, Steve Winwood, Dave Valentin, David Gilmour, Beverley Knight, Hexagonal, Peter King, Lewis Taylor, Guy Barker, Marcos Valle, Liane Carroll, Mike Lindup, Terry Callier, Da Lata, Jim Mullen, Carleen Anderson and Mayra Andrade).
Mixing influences from jazz, latin and fusion, Banks’ debut album View From Above is a unique combination of high-octane virtuosic performance and sublimely melodic composition. Banks unifies his long standing musical friends Latin-jazz pianist John Crawford (Airto Moreira, Giovanni Hidalgo, Snowboy, Roberto Pla), Davide Mantovani on bass (Lisa Stansfield, Tony Allen, Zoe Rahman, Jim Mullen, Andy Sheppard, Jason Rebello, Alex Wilson, Jean Toussaint and a whole heap of world-music collaborations including Baaba Maal, Mulatu Astatke and Nana Vasconcelos) and Tom Barford on sax. Tom is the 2017 Kenny Wheeler Prize winner and co-leads AuB with Alex Hitchcock, James Maddren, and Ferg Ireland, who released their debut album on Edition Records in May 2020.

Laimu / Loz Ruston Quartet
2023-03-30 20:00 - 23:00 (Europe/London)
Seductive, soulful vocals over fresh, jazzy grooves along the lines of Greentea Peng, Cleo Sol and Hiatus Kaiyote
Bristol 6-piece Laimu meld a unique brand of jazz and contemporary soul, channeling wide spanning influences to deliver heavy grooves, dusty horn lines and laidback hip-hop influenced beats led by raw and heartfelt vocals.
Their debut EP ‘Circles’ has received amazing radio support across BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 1Xtra, Jazz FM (YolanDa Brown’s Tune Of The Week) and Rinse FM via Jyoty. Previous releases have also been playlisted on Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide FM.
Laimu have also gained a great reputation in the live circuit, supporting artists such as The Hot 8 Brass Band and No Go Stop, as well as performing at UK festivals such as Farmfest, El Dorado, Jazz Stroud, Shindig and Wonder Fields.
Laimu are Lucy Sparks (vocals), Matt Hill (trumpet), Austin Shepherd (guitar), Laurence Fazakerley-Buglass (keys), Andy Vincent (bass) and Pete Catada (drums).

Support from Loz Ruston Quartet
This show includes a support set from Worcestershire’s own Loz Ruston Quartet, playing on the funky groove side of jazz! Featuring Loz Ruston (guitar), Iain Elliot (bass), Carolyn Evans (sax) and Rich Gibbs (drums).

Robert Castelli & BOOM!
2023-03-02 20:00 - 23:00 (Europe/London)
Get carried away into the world of Afro-Cuban music, West African rhythms and jazz rock of the 70s and 80s
Hailing from New York and now living in Barcelona, drummer Robert Castelli is a busy international sideman that has also been playing with various configurations of his BOOM project for several years. His latest album Party at One World Plaza brings together Latin rhythms, funky grooves and contemporary jazz in a delightful expression of his musicianship. You will not be able to sit still for this one!
For this show Robert is joined by Francesco LoCastro (guitar), Marco Marconi (keys) and Jonny Wickham (bass).

Yolanda Charles' Project PH
2023-02-18 20:00 - 23:30 (Europe/London)
Currently recording their first album Acid Funk, Project PH plays a diverse range of original funk-fusion and R&B-influenced tunes full of soul. Their musical variety has drawn comparisons to Parliament/Funkadelic, Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters, Prince, Yes, Return to Forever, as well as Don Blackman, John Scofield, and even the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Their talent is exceptional and their music will have you engaged from the first to the last note.

Project pH is a group of musicians brought together by session bassist Yolanda Charles. Yolanda is well-known to music fans and industry professionals worldwide. In 2020, she was awarded an MBE for her services to music. She has spent her career performing live with artists such as Hans Zimmer, Squeeze, Robbie Williams, and Paul Weller, as well as recording with BB King, Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart, and Queen, to mention a few.
The band features the skills of London-based guitarist Nick Linnik, who provides a stunning display of highly compelling soloing as the newest member of the band. The dynamic and versatile Laurie Lowe on drums, is known for his work as part of the Preston, Glasgow & Lowe trio as well as a myriad of names in the UK jazz scene. Pianist Hamish Balfour brings a wide range of experience as a composer and arranger. His training in both classical and jazz as well as as a dance music producer, gives him the perfect mix of skills for the band sound. The voices of the band are provided by the superb soulful delivery of vocalists Paris Ruel and Adeola Shyllon.

Rosie Frater-Taylor
2022-12-22 20:00 - 23:00 (Europe/London)
With two albums and a European tour in the bag, ‘one-to-watch’ Rosie Frater-Taylor brings her own blend of jazz, folk and soul to Worcester.
23-year old singer, songwriter and guitarist Rosie Frater-Taylor combines her subtle, melodic voice with accomplished yet playful guitar in songs that blend jazz harmonies and folk storytelling with a youthful, uplifting freshness. Think Joni Mitchell meets George Benson, influenced by growing up in the 2000s.
Following the release of her second album ‘Bloom’ last year (Jazz FM’s featured Album of the Week), Rosie and her band have been touring the UK and European jazz festivals and playing top clubs including Ronnie Scott’s in London, La Note Bleu in Monaco and New Morning in Paris.
Rosie caught Gilles Peterson’s attention a while back – “An artist I have fallen in love with, musically speaking”. She played his We Out Here festival this year and Think About You made his Top 100 Tracks of 2021. Jazzwise Magazine and Guitar Magazine have both marked Rosie as ‘one-to-watch’.
Rosie is joined by Tom Potter (Young Drummer of the Year 2016) on drums and Dave Edwards on bass.

Resolution 88
2022-11-03 20:00 - 23:00 (Europe/London)
Music Spoken Here are proud to present Resolution 88! If you like Herbie Hancock’s 70s work with the Headhunters, you’re going to love these guys! Band leader Tom O’Grady on Rhodes and synthesizers is joined by Tiago Coimbra on bass, Ric Elsworth on drums, Alex Hitchcock on tenor sax and Oli Blake on percussion.

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With the release of their first three albums, live shows supporting Snarky Puppy, Roy Ayers, Marcus Miller, Stanley Clarke, Larry Mizell & the Blackbyrds, Butcher Brown, the Yellowjackets and a Lockdown Session live stream at Ronnie Scott’s last year, Resolution 88 have established themselves as one of the UK’s leading exponents of funk jazz. Their music is synonymous with the beautiful sound of the Fender Rhodes.
“Resolution 88 … this is an exciting young band from Cambridge who take their influence from the immensely important, barrier-breaking mid 70’s funk jazzer Herbie Hancock & the Headhunters – they’ve come out of nowhere at the last minute! There’s absolutely no-one around at all like these guys at the moment!” Craig Charles (The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show)
Check them out at https://soundcloud.com/resolution88 and on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/Resolution88
Doors 8pm. Downbeat 9pm

Tom Ford
2022-09-29 20:00 - 23:30 (Europe/London)
Birmingham’s own in-demand contemporary session guitarist and Berklee College alumni Tom Ford fuses elements of jazz, neo-soul, Latin and hip-hop with his band packed full of emerging UK talent. Following performances at Ronnie Scott’s last year, Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival and the release of his debut album The Tennis Champions in March, Tom brings his band to Worcester for a night of innovative, diverse and provocative music.

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£10 adv / £12 on the door
Tom Ford majored in Jazz Composition and Performance at Berklee College of Music. He has worked across the spectrum with the likes of The Jonathon Silk Big Band, Chris Dave & The Drumhedz and British soul / jazz / hip-hop band Trope to name a few. He is no stranger to playing the UK’s top jazz venues (Ronnie Scott’s, 606 Club and Pizza Express) and jazz festivals (Cheltenham, Glasgow, Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul). Tom is endorsed by JJ Guitars.
The rhythm section features Nathan Shingler (Young Drummer of the Year 2019) just off the back of playing with Alfa Mist at the O2 Academy in Brixton and Daisy George on bass. Daisy has been busy in the London jazz scene for several years working with artists such as Poppy Ajudha and Jas Kayser. She showcased her solo project at Ronnie Scott’s earlier this year.
The lineup is completed by composer and multi-instrumentalist Parthenope Wald-Harding on sax. Hailing from Leeds, Parthenope is a classically trained violinist and folk-fiddler as well as a creative saxophonist. Meanwhile Simon JNR (also from Birmingham) steps up to the mic with his energetic stage presence and slick, witty, rhythmic raps.
Doors 8pm. Downbeat 8:45pm

Project PH
2022-06-23 20:30 - 23:30 (Europe/London)
Currently recording their first album Acid Funk, Project PH plays a diverse range of original funk-fusion and R&B-influenced tunes full of soul. Their musical variety has drawn comparisons to Parliament/Funkadelic, Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters, Prince, Yes, Return to Forever, as well as Don Blackman, John Scofield, and even the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Their talent is exceptional and their music will have you engaged from the first to the last note.

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Project pH is a group of musicians brought together by session bassist Yolanda Charles. Yolanda is well-known to music fans and industry professionals worldwide. In 2020, she was awarded an MBE for her services to music. She has spent her career performing live with artists such as Hans Zimmer, Squeeze, Robbie Williams, and Paul Weller, as well as recording with BB King, Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart, and Queen, to mention a few.
The band features the skills of Australian Kim Murray, who offers a display of vibrant sound-crafting and compelling soloing as lead guitarist. The dynamic and versatile Laurie Lowe on drums, is known for his work as part of the Preston, Glasgow & Lowe trio as well as a myriad of names in the UK jazz scene. Laurie’s presence in Project pH brings the full range of the compositions to life. Pianist Hamish Balfour brings a wide range of experience as a composer and arranger. His training in both classical & jazz and as a dance music producer, gives him the perfect mix of skills for the band. The voices of the band are provided by superb International vocalists Paris Ruel and Adeola Shyllon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ7_JbOQ1N8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCmB-7C1Gss

Yolanda Charles FUNK ULTRA
2022-05-26 20:00 - 23:00 UTC
Taking you back to the time when music was driven by the bass riffs that hooked you in and drums that got you up on your feet.

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A night of live music performed by FUNK-Ultra brings you a repertoire of songs by Cameo, Pleasure, The Meters, Teena Marie, Rufus & Chaka Khan, James Brown,The Fatback Band and many other classics from the best era for Funk, RnB and Soul. There is something for everyone who loves music at its finest and funkiest.
FUNK-ULTRA are a new 6-piece band of professional musicians formed and led by bassist Yolanda Charles. Yolanda has over 30 years experience that includes recording and performing with Paul Weller, Robbie Williams, Marcella Detroit (of Shakespears Sister), Sinead O’Connor, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, BB King, Dave Stewart, Queen, Squeeze & Hans Zimmer. In 2020 Yolanda was awarded an MBE for her services the UK music industry!
Gareth Brown brings his extensive drumming experience to the show. You have no doubt already heard his work with Craig David, Rihanna, Kelly Rowland, Omar, Ms Dynamite, Mica Paris, Will Young, Alexandra O’Neil, Donna Summer, Shalamar, Frank McComb, Alesha Dixon, Paloma Faith.
Kim Murray (guitar) and Hamish Balfour (keyboards) complete the rhythm section. Their list includes work with legacy bands such as Odyssey, Temptations, The Sherelles, Boney M and Joyce Sims.
Decosta Boyce (vocals) known for his work as a solo artist and with 70’s legends Heatwave, Adele, Beverly Knight, Omar, Texas and Alexander O’Neil. Decosta is joined on vocals by young and beautifully talented Leanne Sandy.
