Celebrating the music of Joni Mitchell featuring Hattie Whitehead in a formidable 7-piece band Hejira is a 7-piece band set up to celebrate and honour the masterpiece works of Joni Mitchell, mostly from the late ‘70s. Having released the albums ‘The Hissing of Summer Lawns’, ‘Hejira’, ‘Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter’ and ‘Mingus’ (regarded as her […]
A tribute to iconic, legendary guitarist Jeff Beck featuring music from the significant albums "Wired" and "Blow by Blow" We’re no strangers to the music of Jeff Beck on the Music Spoken Here stage at The Marr’s Bar. In January, FNUK (which included Jeff Beck’s pianist of six years, Jason Rebello in the line-up) featured […]
Jazz, funk and Latin from some of the West Midlands' finest Ray Butcher started playing cornet at the age of eight and progressed through brass bands to study classical trumpet at Peter Symonds College in Winchester. Disillusioned with classical music, he took up piano for a while, playing in various cocktail bars and clubs including […]
Rising Birmingham guitarist presents new project developed with Jazz Central Mentoring program We are delighted to support the Jazz Central Mentoring program again this year, with a project from Birmingham-based rising star Torin Davies. The program accepts applications from young jazz musicians based in the West Midlands, from which a selection is made by a […]
Original prog-jazz from an intense and immersive trio with influences as varied as FORQ, Porcupine Tree and Brad Mehldau + support from DJ Steve 'Moore Fe Jazz' Moore spinning the latest dance floor jazz, fusion, Latin, jazz funk and jazz house. It has been a busy year for keyboard and synth ace Emily Francis, with […]
“Energetic, unapologetic hybrid of funk, fusion and irrepressible swing” - AllAboutJazz London-based organ trio Wild Card have been described as “fearless, because this feverish ensemble isn't afraid to bring on the funk, the bop, the pop, the swing or Afro-Blue when they want to” (Mike Jurkovic on AllAboutJazz.com). Formed in 2011 by French guitarist Clement […]
New project combining modern jazz, Scandinavian improvised music, Eastern European folk and contemporary classical Polish guitarist Jakub Klimiuk, now based in London, made his first appearance on the British jazz scene at the EFG London Jazz Festival in 2022, performing music from his quintet’s EP “Reluctance”. He has performed in jazz clubs across the UK […]
Electro-acoustic fusion trio brings the harp into the 21st century Chube is a young fusion band based in Cardiff led by Ben Creighton Griffiths (Electric Harp/Keys) with Ashley John Long (Basses) and Jon Bradford-Jones (Drums). They draw their inspiration from a wide variety of artists and genres, writing electro acoustic music that pushes the boundaries […]
An unapologetically different slant on the guitar trio format King Heron are a guitar trio sprung from Bristol’s modern jazz scene, bringing together lyrical expression, hard-edged basslines and clanging rock to form their own distinct blend of progressive beats and fluttering soundscapes. Jacob Houghton’s perpetually melodic guitar phrases glide around Cerith Evans’ stoic low-end rumble […]
Improvisation, hip grooves, beautiful melodies, unique musicianship, interplay and virtuosity Having returned to playing from serious health issues and major surgery, renowned Birmingham-based trumpeter and flugelhorn player Bryan Corbett is back doing what he does best! His Instrumental Groove Unit is an original project full of improvisation, hip grooves, beautiful melodies, unique musicianship, interplay and […]
Hot Latin vibes from top UK horn section in a 7-piece lineup TRYPL was formed by three exceptional horn players who have worked together on numerous recordings and performances and share a love of Latin-jazz. The band name is derived from the founding members names - trombonist Trevor Mires (Jamiroquai, Incognito, David Sanborn, Alicia Keys), […]
A fiery 5-piece combining jazz, Afro-beat and Latin rhythms from an incredible young drummer This event is the first in our "Up!Beat" series, celebrating drummer-led bands and focusing our minds, in an increasingly divisive and polarising world, on the positive things we have in common that unite us all. Jas Kayser played on my first […]
