Star-studded line-up for Brecon Jazz Festival
The programme for the world famous Brecon Jazz festival 2013, August 9-11 (www.breconjazz.com) has been announced today, with a third more gigs than last year, a sprinkling of stellar names, leading lights of the jazz world, some legendary names not usually associated with this field of music, and a new collaboration with jazz clubs and societies from across Wales.
Courtney Pine, Django Bates, Jools Holland, Zoe Rahman, Phronesis, Julian Siegel, Jason Rebello and Acker Bilk feature, along with Grammy Award winner Mavis Staples and, with 18 Grammy Awards between them, The Impossible Gentlemen - as the picturesque streets of Brecon come alive again this August.
This is the second year for Wales-based festival operator Orchard following their successful start in 2012, and the experienced music promoter has increased the number of gigs this summer, and added another venue in the beautiful mid Wales town.
This is the second year for Wales-based festival operator Orchard following their successful start in 2012, and the experienced music promoter has increased the number of gigs this summer, and added another venue in the beautiful mid Wales town.
They also repeat the partnership with Welsh artist-in-residence Huw Warren who is again creating some international collaborations, homage will be paid to emerging Welsh Jazz talent, and late club nights return to the Market Hall in the centre of Brecon.
Orchard director Pablo Janczur said: “We loved the experience in our first year in 2012, made a lot of friends in Brecon and were really pleased with the feedback we received in our first year of operation. Now we’ve upped the number of concerts by a third, maintained the quality of the line-up with something for most Jazz tastes, and are looking to build on the success of last year. Brecon’s a great place to be when the town is buzzing in the midst of the festival, and we want to recreate that experience this summer, and give local businesses, residents and visitors something to really look forward to.”
This year the atmosphere will again be enhanced with colourful street entertainment that proved so popular in keeping all ages entertained around town, and Orchard will once again work closely with Brecon Fringe to put a complementary programme of music into Brecon’s bars and smaller venues.
Pablo Janczur again: “At Orchard, we take very seriously our responsibility to sustain Brecon’s standing in the Jazz world as we look forward to next year’s 30th anniversary and the continued success of one of the UK’s finest Jazz events.”
All programme and ticket information is available on www.breconjazz.com
The line-up for Brecon Jazz 2013 includes:
Jazz Club
This is very much a first for Brecon, with Jazz societies and clubs from across Wales coming together to produce a high quality programme of music at the Guildhall throughout the Sunday of the festival, that people can access individually or §for a combined ticket of £25. Brecon Jazz Club, North Wales Jazz Society, Porthcawl Jazz, Torfaen Jazz Society, Swansea Jazzland, Jazz Heritage Wales & Rhondda Jazz Club are all involved in staging concerts with a truly international feel by the Arturo Serra Quartet Meets Celia Mur, Shades of Shearing Quartet, Davide Logiri Meets Torfaen Jazz, and ‘Balança’ Contemporary Bossa Nova / Brazilian Jazz Quintet led by Cathy Jones.
The Impossible Gentlemen
With 18 Grammies between them, the Anglo-American Jazz supergroup, The Impossible
Gentlemen features internationally acclaimed British piano sensation Gwilym Simcock, Salford guitarist and UK treasure Mike Walker and American bass and drums superstars Steve Rodby and Mark Walker. The result is nothing less than remarkable with four unique talents, all superb players in their own right, coming together to create something new and powerful.
"World-class jazz - nothing short of sensational": The Guardian
Courtney Pine
No musician more embodies the dramatic transformation in the British Jazz scene over the past twenty years than Courtney Pine CBE. The ground-breaking, multi- instrumentalist has led a generation of exciting and innovative players who have broadened their styles to take Jazz out to a wider audience. Expect an exhilarating mix of Merengue, Ska, Mento and Calypso as played through the lens (saxophone) of a UK born artist with strong, proud Afro-Caribbean roots.
Mavis Staples
Mavis began her career with her family group in 1950. The Staples evolved from enormously popular gospel singers (with recordings on United and Riverside as well as Vee-Jay) to become the most spectacular and influential spirituality-based group in America. By the mid-1960s The Staple Singers, inspired by Pops' close friendship with Martin Luther King Jr. became the spiritual and musical voices of the civil rights movement. They covered contemporary pop hits with positive messages, including Bob Dylan's "A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall" and a version of Stephen Stills' "For What It's Worth."
The Staple Singers hit the Top 40 eight times between 1971 and 1975, including two No. 1 singles, "I'll Take You There" and "Let's Do It Again," and a No. 2 single "Who Took the Merry Out of Christmas?"
Staples made her first solo foray while at Epic Records with The Staple Singers releasing a lone single "Crying in the Chapel" to little fanfare in the late 1960s.[2] The single was finally re-released on the 1994 Sony Music collection Lost Soul.
Her voice has been sampled by some of the biggest selling hip-hop artists, including Salt 'N' Pepa, Ice Cube and Ludacris. In 2011, Mavis Staples won her first Grammy award in the category for Best Americana Album for You Are Not Alone. In her acceptance speech, a shocked and crying Staples said "This has been a long time coming."
Acker Bilk
The legendary figure of Acker Bilk recorded Stranger on the Shore in 1961, which became the theme tune for a BBC TV series. This was the first-ever recording to be Number One simultaneously in the UK and USA charts. Acker has been honoured with an MBE for his services to the music industry.
Blue Spirits Trio
Led by guitar legend John Etheridge, the Blue Spirits Trio includes Pete Whittaker on organ, and Mark Fletcher on drums.
Drawing on a vast reservoir of musical experience spanning 43 years, Etheridge distils the bluesier side of his musical world in a repertoire that manifests intensity and emotion as its main quality.
Django Bates
Django Bates is a self-taught composer, pianist & keyboard player who credits the variety of musical influences in his work to his childhood. A founder member of Loose Tubes, Django was a leading light in the 1980s European Jazz renaissance. In 1997 Django was awarded the prestigious Danish Jazzpar prize, dubbed the ‘Nobel Prize of Jazz’.
In 2010 Django released Belovèd Bird LM004: a celebration of his childhood hero Charlie Parker, for which he used the classic acoustic piano trio constellation, beloved of Jazz listeners and players throughout the world.
In 2011 Django left the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen, Denmark in order to take up a position as Professor of Jazz at University of the Arts, Berne, Switzerland. He is also a visiting professor at London’s Royal Academy of Music.
The Orient House Ensemble
Led by fiery saxophonist and award-winning composer Gilad Atzmon, The Orient House Ensemble was founded in London in 2000 and is renowned as one of the world’s most brilliant and inspirational Jazz groups. Drawing on the music of Coltrane and Bird as well as the beautiful music of the Middle East to create something new and wonderful, the Ensemble has been touring constantly all over Europe and the UK and recorded six albums to date, have won many awards and received constant worldwide critical acclaim.
Gilad is described as “a local Jazz giant steadily drawing himself up to his full height..." by John Fordham, The Guardian.
Gilad Atzmon appears on alto & soprano saxophone and clarinet, and is accompanied by Frank Harrison on piano, Yaron Stavi on double bass, and Eddie Hick on drums.
Jason Rebello Group
After spending 12 years touring with Sting and Jeff Beck, Jason returns to the Jazz fold. “It was time to get back to making my own music again. Touring with these amazing musicians has taught me a lot, and it's time to use what I have learnt. It's nice to be 'home' again“.
Jason's new group features Troy Miller (drums), Karl Rasheed-Abel (bass), Paul Stacey (guitar), and Joy Rose (vocals). Expect a set of Jazz, funk, Latin and a blend of songs, including new compositions and tracks from Jason's earlier albums.
"In terms of sheer ability and potential, Jason is probably the finest young jazz musician this country has produced. His playing has great poise and maturity, which is unusual in somebody so young."
Stuart Nicholson, author Jazz: The Modern Resurgence
John Surman Trio
The members of the trio, saxophonist John Surman, double-bassist Chris Laurence and drummer John Marshall have all played swinging Jazz, but in this set you’ll hear all sorts of music. The repertoire features elegant classical lyricism; eerie bowed bass and deep saxophone or clarinet harmonies and various rumbling, tumbling rhythms and furtive, freeish melodies that give the music an adventurous feel.
Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Jools formed The Jools Holland Big Band – comprising himself and Gilson Lavis, that gradually metamorphosed into the current 20-piece Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, which consists of pianist, organist, drummer, three female vocals, guitar, bass guitar, two tenor saxophones, two alto saxophones, baritone saxophone, three trumpets, and four trombones.
Jools is one of the best-known faces on TV, hosting Later, the show that has reawakened the innovative spirit of The Tube, and is in its 41st series and 20th year.
One of Jools’ personal highlights was the Sony Radio Academy Silver Award for ‘Best Specialist Music Programme’ presented to his highly-acclaimed and eclectic BBC Radio 2 show in 2010. That year saw an even more prestigious achievement: the Sony Gold award for Music Broadcaster of the Year.
Julian Siegel Quartet
“When the Julian Siegel Quartet perform live it’s a fantastic ride” Jez Nelson, BBC Radio Jazz on 3.
The Julian Siegel Quartet released their second album ‘Urban Theme Park’ (Basho) in April 2011 and the album was awarded the London Jazz Award 2011 in the London Festival Fringe Awards for Art and Performance. The band features inspirational pianist Liam Noble, his fluid touch and dazzling imagination perfectly complementing Siegel’s music and playing, and providing a perfect foil for the many directions the music can turn. With the creative spark of dynamic drummer Gene Calderazzo and the deep groove of bassist Oli Hayhurst dove-tailing perfectly with Siegel and Noble this is unquestionably one of the UK’s most exciting and powerful quartets. The music the band plays moves freely through varied sound-worlds and colours, from undercurrents of bop into electro-acoustic trance, from an acoustic quartet playing early-electric Miles to dancing West African drum grooves, searching ballads and joyful melodies
Laura Jurd Quartet
This group is Laura's longest running ensemble which have played numerous gigs in and around London, including performances at the London Jazz Festival and the Jazzwise Power of 15 festival supporting saxophonist Chris Potter at Ronnie Scott’s. Bringing together a variety of influences, the Laura Jurd Quartet are an intriguing, creative outfit featuring fellow improvisers, Elliot Galvin on piano, Conor Chaplin on bass and Corrie Dick on drums. Drawing upon original compositions and traditional melodies as a basis for improvisation, this classic quartet line-up fuses elements of European folk, Jazz and Classical traditions, creating a unique and distinctive soundworld.
Laurence Cottle Trio featuring Mornington Lockett and Ian Thomas
Laurence Cottle is a remarkable musician with an International reputation whose stunning technique is featured on innumerable recording sessions. He has recorded three albums under his own name and continues to tour with his Big Band. The bass player with Bill Bruford's "Earthworks" and Pee Wee Ellis's "Funk Assembly" and a regular part of Ronnie Scott's "All Stars", his Jazz credentials are impeccable, and he appears at Brecon Jazz 2013 accompanied by Mornington Lockett on saxophone and Ian Thomas on drums.
Martin Taylor and Alan Barnes
In this inspired pairing, world-class guitarist Martin Taylor meets multi-award winning reeds man Alan Barnes in an intimate duet setting. Taylor is, of course, known for his collaborations with Stephane Grappelli, Jamie Cullum and Bill Wyman and his highly successful solo career. Barnes is simply Britain’s number one mainstream reeds player having worked with artists ranging from Bjork and Bryan Ferry to Clark Tracey and Charlie Watts. The repertoire of the concert is wide ranging and will feature many tunes from their new album ‘Two for the Road’. “Martin Taylor and Alan Barnes dazzle with effortless brilliance” – The Observer
Nils Petter Morvaer Trio
Groundbreaking Norwegian trumpet player, composer and producer, Nils connects multiple music styles - Jazz, ambient, house, electronic and break beats, as well as elements from hip hop, rock and pop music - and effortlessly melts them into convincing soundscapes of deep intensity.
His most prominent album Khmer was released on the ECM label to critical acclaim and sold over 250,000 copies.
Phronesis
Scandinavian/British Jazz trio Phronesis have the ability to excite, inspire and move people in a way that few bands are able to do. Led by Danish double bassist Jasper Høiby, their charismatic live performances have prompted Jon Newey, Editor of Jazzwise magazine to describe them as “the most exciting and imaginative piano trio since EST”.
In 2010 Phronesis captured the hearts and minds of British audiences and developed a fierce reputation as one of the most formidable trios in the UK. They were nominated for ‘Best Jazz Ensemble’ in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, featured on the front cover of Jazzwise magazine and were nominated for ‘Best Jazz Act’ at the prestigious 2010 MOBO Awards.
Roller Trio
“Dark, menacing, bass heavy - the new sound of UK jazzzzzzz!” Gilles Peterson BBC 6 Music
Roller Trio’s music is a fresh, visceral stew of conventional and experimental sounds that features stonking riffs, thrashy noise, evocative songs and electronic soundscapes. Incubated in mammoth improvisation sessions and honed in local gigs, their music is delivered with a captivating swagger and greedy energy that is utterly beguiling and packs a hook-laden punch.
Roller Trio are James Mainwairing on tenor sax and electronics, Luke Wynter on guitar and Luke Reddin-Williams on drums.
Tim Kliphuis Trio & David Newton
Dutch fiddler Tim Kliphuis is a legend in the Gypsy Jazz world through his work with Fapy Lafertin, Angelo Debarre and many others. Tim and his Trio have invited UK piano star David Newton to join them in a joyous celebration of Stéphane Grappelli’s music, performed with breathtaking mastery and French finesse.
Tim Kliphuis has been lauded for his musical genius and signature sound by Nigel Kennedy and the late Les Paul. David Newton is a multi-award-winning soloist and famed collaborator with Stacey Kent, Alan Barnes and many others. Joining them are Scotland’s finest: true guitar virtuoso Nigel Clark and rootsy rock-solid bassist, Roy Percy.
Zoe Rahman
“Fantastic….she’s such an important and unique artist, she deserves to be celebrated” Jamie Cullum Radio 2
Having played sell-out shows this year with her Kindred Spirits album, pianist Zoe Rahman won Best Jazz Act in the prestigious 2012 MOBO awards. Known for her individual style, powerful technique and exuberant performance, she is a highly sought-after musician, working with the likes of Courtney Pine, George Mraz, Martha Wainwright and Jerry Dammers’ Spatial AKA. Her 2006 album, Melting Pot, was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize
Zoe is accompanied at Brecon by Idris Rahman on Clarinet, Rowland Sutherland on flute, Alec Dankwork on Double Bass and Gene Calderazzo on Drums.
Quercus
Quercus brings together three of the UK’s most creative and original musicians to create beautiful poignant music that transcends musical genres. Drawing on each player’s repertoire of originals, timeless folk songs and reclaimed standard repertoire, the trio - one of the UK’s most widely acclaimed saxophonists and Jazz composers Iain Ballamy on tenor saxophone, the innovative and eclectic Huw Warren on piano, and the voice of BBC Folk Awards ‘Folk Singer of the Year’ June Tabor - subtly recolour the music with their individual palettes to create exquisite acoustic chamber music.
Quercus are touring in 2013 to celebrate their first release on ECM Records.
DJ Snowboy
Snowboy is the resident DJ at ‘The Good Foot’ at the world-famous Madame Jo Jo’s in Soho every Friday playing 60’s and 70’s Funk, Soul, Rare Groove, Latin Boogaloo, Mambo, Ska and R&B (with a taste of 60’s Blue Note Jazz and 70’s Rough Salsa).
Latin percussionist, recording artist and band leader, Snowboy, has also been a DJ since the classic Jazz Funk days of 1978. It was his knowledge of Jazz, Latin, Funk and Soul records that inspired him to take up percussion and has since made 15 albums and 20 Latin, Funk and Soul singles and recorded and played with artists such as Lisa Stansfield, James Taylor Quartet, Jon Lucien, Sam Dees, Imelda May, Mick Hucknall, Mica Paris and Incognito.
Snowboy is currently the music producer and programmer for the number one show on BBC Radio 6 – ‘Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show’ every Saturday.
Orchard director Pablo Janczur said: “We loved the experience in our first year in 2012, made a lot of friends in Brecon and were really pleased with the feedback we received in our first year of operation. Now we’ve upped the number of concerts by a third, maintained the quality of the line-up with something for most Jazz tastes, and are looking to build on the success of last year. Brecon’s a great place to be when the town is buzzing in the midst of the festival, and we want to recreate that experience this summer, and give local businesses, residents and visitors something to really look forward to.”
This year the atmosphere will again be enhanced with colourful street entertainment that proved so popular in keeping all ages entertained around town, and Orchard will once again work closely with Brecon Fringe to put a complementary programme of music into Brecon’s bars and smaller venues.
Pablo Janczur again: “At Orchard, we take very seriously our responsibility to sustain Brecon’s standing in the Jazz world as we look forward to next year’s 30th anniversary and the continued success of one of the UK’s finest Jazz events.”
All programme and ticket information is available on www.breconjazz.com
The line-up for Brecon Jazz 2013 includes:
Jazz Club
This is very much a first for Brecon, with Jazz societies and clubs from across Wales coming together to produce a high quality programme of music at the Guildhall throughout the Sunday of the festival, that people can access individually or §for a combined ticket of £25. Brecon Jazz Club, North Wales Jazz Society, Porthcawl Jazz, Torfaen Jazz Society, Swansea Jazzland, Jazz Heritage Wales & Rhondda Jazz Club are all involved in staging concerts with a truly international feel by the Arturo Serra Quartet Meets Celia Mur, Shades of Shearing Quartet, Davide Logiri Meets Torfaen Jazz, and ‘Balança’ Contemporary Bossa Nova / Brazilian Jazz Quintet led by Cathy Jones.
The Impossible Gentlemen
With 18 Grammies between them, the Anglo-American Jazz supergroup, The Impossible
Gentlemen features internationally acclaimed British piano sensation Gwilym Simcock, Salford guitarist and UK treasure Mike Walker and American bass and drums superstars Steve Rodby and Mark Walker. The result is nothing less than remarkable with four unique talents, all superb players in their own right, coming together to create something new and powerful.
"World-class jazz - nothing short of sensational": The Guardian
Courtney Pine
No musician more embodies the dramatic transformation in the British Jazz scene over the past twenty years than Courtney Pine CBE. The ground-breaking, multi- instrumentalist has led a generation of exciting and innovative players who have broadened their styles to take Jazz out to a wider audience. Expect an exhilarating mix of Merengue, Ska, Mento and Calypso as played through the lens (saxophone) of a UK born artist with strong, proud Afro-Caribbean roots.
Mavis Staples
Mavis began her career with her family group in 1950. The Staples evolved from enormously popular gospel singers (with recordings on United and Riverside as well as Vee-Jay) to become the most spectacular and influential spirituality-based group in America. By the mid-1960s The Staple Singers, inspired by Pops' close friendship with Martin Luther King Jr. became the spiritual and musical voices of the civil rights movement. They covered contemporary pop hits with positive messages, including Bob Dylan's "A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall" and a version of Stephen Stills' "For What It's Worth."
The Staple Singers hit the Top 40 eight times between 1971 and 1975, including two No. 1 singles, "I'll Take You There" and "Let's Do It Again," and a No. 2 single "Who Took the Merry Out of Christmas?"
Staples made her first solo foray while at Epic Records with The Staple Singers releasing a lone single "Crying in the Chapel" to little fanfare in the late 1960s.[2] The single was finally re-released on the 1994 Sony Music collection Lost Soul.
Her voice has been sampled by some of the biggest selling hip-hop artists, including Salt 'N' Pepa, Ice Cube and Ludacris. In 2011, Mavis Staples won her first Grammy award in the category for Best Americana Album for You Are Not Alone. In her acceptance speech, a shocked and crying Staples said "This has been a long time coming."
Acker Bilk
The legendary figure of Acker Bilk recorded Stranger on the Shore in 1961, which became the theme tune for a BBC TV series. This was the first-ever recording to be Number One simultaneously in the UK and USA charts. Acker has been honoured with an MBE for his services to the music industry.
Blue Spirits Trio
Led by guitar legend John Etheridge, the Blue Spirits Trio includes Pete Whittaker on organ, and Mark Fletcher on drums.
Drawing on a vast reservoir of musical experience spanning 43 years, Etheridge distils the bluesier side of his musical world in a repertoire that manifests intensity and emotion as its main quality.
Django Bates
Django Bates is a self-taught composer, pianist & keyboard player who credits the variety of musical influences in his work to his childhood. A founder member of Loose Tubes, Django was a leading light in the 1980s European Jazz renaissance. In 1997 Django was awarded the prestigious Danish Jazzpar prize, dubbed the ‘Nobel Prize of Jazz’.
In 2010 Django released Belovèd Bird LM004: a celebration of his childhood hero Charlie Parker, for which he used the classic acoustic piano trio constellation, beloved of Jazz listeners and players throughout the world.
In 2011 Django left the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen, Denmark in order to take up a position as Professor of Jazz at University of the Arts, Berne, Switzerland. He is also a visiting professor at London’s Royal Academy of Music.
The Orient House Ensemble
Led by fiery saxophonist and award-winning composer Gilad Atzmon, The Orient House Ensemble was founded in London in 2000 and is renowned as one of the world’s most brilliant and inspirational Jazz groups. Drawing on the music of Coltrane and Bird as well as the beautiful music of the Middle East to create something new and wonderful, the Ensemble has been touring constantly all over Europe and the UK and recorded six albums to date, have won many awards and received constant worldwide critical acclaim.
Gilad is described as “a local Jazz giant steadily drawing himself up to his full height..." by John Fordham, The Guardian.
Gilad Atzmon appears on alto & soprano saxophone and clarinet, and is accompanied by Frank Harrison on piano, Yaron Stavi on double bass, and Eddie Hick on drums.
Jason Rebello Group
After spending 12 years touring with Sting and Jeff Beck, Jason returns to the Jazz fold. “It was time to get back to making my own music again. Touring with these amazing musicians has taught me a lot, and it's time to use what I have learnt. It's nice to be 'home' again“.
Jason's new group features Troy Miller (drums), Karl Rasheed-Abel (bass), Paul Stacey (guitar), and Joy Rose (vocals). Expect a set of Jazz, funk, Latin and a blend of songs, including new compositions and tracks from Jason's earlier albums.
"In terms of sheer ability and potential, Jason is probably the finest young jazz musician this country has produced. His playing has great poise and maturity, which is unusual in somebody so young."
Stuart Nicholson, author Jazz: The Modern Resurgence
John Surman Trio
The members of the trio, saxophonist John Surman, double-bassist Chris Laurence and drummer John Marshall have all played swinging Jazz, but in this set you’ll hear all sorts of music. The repertoire features elegant classical lyricism; eerie bowed bass and deep saxophone or clarinet harmonies and various rumbling, tumbling rhythms and furtive, freeish melodies that give the music an adventurous feel.
Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Jools formed The Jools Holland Big Band – comprising himself and Gilson Lavis, that gradually metamorphosed into the current 20-piece Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, which consists of pianist, organist, drummer, three female vocals, guitar, bass guitar, two tenor saxophones, two alto saxophones, baritone saxophone, three trumpets, and four trombones.
Jools is one of the best-known faces on TV, hosting Later, the show that has reawakened the innovative spirit of The Tube, and is in its 41st series and 20th year.
One of Jools’ personal highlights was the Sony Radio Academy Silver Award for ‘Best Specialist Music Programme’ presented to his highly-acclaimed and eclectic BBC Radio 2 show in 2010. That year saw an even more prestigious achievement: the Sony Gold award for Music Broadcaster of the Year.
Julian Siegel Quartet
“When the Julian Siegel Quartet perform live it’s a fantastic ride” Jez Nelson, BBC Radio Jazz on 3.
The Julian Siegel Quartet released their second album ‘Urban Theme Park’ (Basho) in April 2011 and the album was awarded the London Jazz Award 2011 in the London Festival Fringe Awards for Art and Performance. The band features inspirational pianist Liam Noble, his fluid touch and dazzling imagination perfectly complementing Siegel’s music and playing, and providing a perfect foil for the many directions the music can turn. With the creative spark of dynamic drummer Gene Calderazzo and the deep groove of bassist Oli Hayhurst dove-tailing perfectly with Siegel and Noble this is unquestionably one of the UK’s most exciting and powerful quartets. The music the band plays moves freely through varied sound-worlds and colours, from undercurrents of bop into electro-acoustic trance, from an acoustic quartet playing early-electric Miles to dancing West African drum grooves, searching ballads and joyful melodies
Laura Jurd Quartet
This group is Laura's longest running ensemble which have played numerous gigs in and around London, including performances at the London Jazz Festival and the Jazzwise Power of 15 festival supporting saxophonist Chris Potter at Ronnie Scott’s. Bringing together a variety of influences, the Laura Jurd Quartet are an intriguing, creative outfit featuring fellow improvisers, Elliot Galvin on piano, Conor Chaplin on bass and Corrie Dick on drums. Drawing upon original compositions and traditional melodies as a basis for improvisation, this classic quartet line-up fuses elements of European folk, Jazz and Classical traditions, creating a unique and distinctive soundworld.
Laurence Cottle Trio featuring Mornington Lockett and Ian Thomas
Laurence Cottle is a remarkable musician with an International reputation whose stunning technique is featured on innumerable recording sessions. He has recorded three albums under his own name and continues to tour with his Big Band. The bass player with Bill Bruford's "Earthworks" and Pee Wee Ellis's "Funk Assembly" and a regular part of Ronnie Scott's "All Stars", his Jazz credentials are impeccable, and he appears at Brecon Jazz 2013 accompanied by Mornington Lockett on saxophone and Ian Thomas on drums.
Martin Taylor and Alan Barnes
In this inspired pairing, world-class guitarist Martin Taylor meets multi-award winning reeds man Alan Barnes in an intimate duet setting. Taylor is, of course, known for his collaborations with Stephane Grappelli, Jamie Cullum and Bill Wyman and his highly successful solo career. Barnes is simply Britain’s number one mainstream reeds player having worked with artists ranging from Bjork and Bryan Ferry to Clark Tracey and Charlie Watts. The repertoire of the concert is wide ranging and will feature many tunes from their new album ‘Two for the Road’. “Martin Taylor and Alan Barnes dazzle with effortless brilliance” – The Observer
Nils Petter Morvaer Trio
Groundbreaking Norwegian trumpet player, composer and producer, Nils connects multiple music styles - Jazz, ambient, house, electronic and break beats, as well as elements from hip hop, rock and pop music - and effortlessly melts them into convincing soundscapes of deep intensity.
His most prominent album Khmer was released on the ECM label to critical acclaim and sold over 250,000 copies.
Phronesis
Scandinavian/British Jazz trio Phronesis have the ability to excite, inspire and move people in a way that few bands are able to do. Led by Danish double bassist Jasper Høiby, their charismatic live performances have prompted Jon Newey, Editor of Jazzwise magazine to describe them as “the most exciting and imaginative piano trio since EST”.
In 2010 Phronesis captured the hearts and minds of British audiences and developed a fierce reputation as one of the most formidable trios in the UK. They were nominated for ‘Best Jazz Ensemble’ in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, featured on the front cover of Jazzwise magazine and were nominated for ‘Best Jazz Act’ at the prestigious 2010 MOBO Awards.
Roller Trio
“Dark, menacing, bass heavy - the new sound of UK jazzzzzzz!” Gilles Peterson BBC 6 Music
Roller Trio’s music is a fresh, visceral stew of conventional and experimental sounds that features stonking riffs, thrashy noise, evocative songs and electronic soundscapes. Incubated in mammoth improvisation sessions and honed in local gigs, their music is delivered with a captivating swagger and greedy energy that is utterly beguiling and packs a hook-laden punch.
Roller Trio are James Mainwairing on tenor sax and electronics, Luke Wynter on guitar and Luke Reddin-Williams on drums.
Tim Kliphuis Trio & David Newton
Dutch fiddler Tim Kliphuis is a legend in the Gypsy Jazz world through his work with Fapy Lafertin, Angelo Debarre and many others. Tim and his Trio have invited UK piano star David Newton to join them in a joyous celebration of Stéphane Grappelli’s music, performed with breathtaking mastery and French finesse.
Tim Kliphuis has been lauded for his musical genius and signature sound by Nigel Kennedy and the late Les Paul. David Newton is a multi-award-winning soloist and famed collaborator with Stacey Kent, Alan Barnes and many others. Joining them are Scotland’s finest: true guitar virtuoso Nigel Clark and rootsy rock-solid bassist, Roy Percy.
Zoe Rahman
“Fantastic….she’s such an important and unique artist, she deserves to be celebrated” Jamie Cullum Radio 2
Having played sell-out shows this year with her Kindred Spirits album, pianist Zoe Rahman won Best Jazz Act in the prestigious 2012 MOBO awards. Known for her individual style, powerful technique and exuberant performance, she is a highly sought-after musician, working with the likes of Courtney Pine, George Mraz, Martha Wainwright and Jerry Dammers’ Spatial AKA. Her 2006 album, Melting Pot, was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize
Zoe is accompanied at Brecon by Idris Rahman on Clarinet, Rowland Sutherland on flute, Alec Dankwork on Double Bass and Gene Calderazzo on Drums.
Quercus
Quercus brings together three of the UK’s most creative and original musicians to create beautiful poignant music that transcends musical genres. Drawing on each player’s repertoire of originals, timeless folk songs and reclaimed standard repertoire, the trio - one of the UK’s most widely acclaimed saxophonists and Jazz composers Iain Ballamy on tenor saxophone, the innovative and eclectic Huw Warren on piano, and the voice of BBC Folk Awards ‘Folk Singer of the Year’ June Tabor - subtly recolour the music with their individual palettes to create exquisite acoustic chamber music.
Quercus are touring in 2013 to celebrate their first release on ECM Records.
DJ Snowboy
Snowboy is the resident DJ at ‘The Good Foot’ at the world-famous Madame Jo Jo’s in Soho every Friday playing 60’s and 70’s Funk, Soul, Rare Groove, Latin Boogaloo, Mambo, Ska and R&B (with a taste of 60’s Blue Note Jazz and 70’s Rough Salsa).
Latin percussionist, recording artist and band leader, Snowboy, has also been a DJ since the classic Jazz Funk days of 1978. It was his knowledge of Jazz, Latin, Funk and Soul records that inspired him to take up percussion and has since made 15 albums and 20 Latin, Funk and Soul singles and recorded and played with artists such as Lisa Stansfield, James Taylor Quartet, Jon Lucien, Sam Dees, Imelda May, Mick Hucknall, Mica Paris and Incognito.
Snowboy is currently the music producer and programmer for the number one show on BBC Radio 6 – ‘Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show’ every Saturday.
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