All gigs take place at:
East Hastings Sea Angling Association
The Stade, Hastings, TN34 3JF
Doors open 7.45 for 8.30 start.
Tuesday 4th December
MARTIN and MULLEN celebrating Wes Montgomery
Claire Martin: Vocals
Jim Mullen: Guitar
Mike Gorman: Organ
Ed Richardson: Drums
Celebrated jazz singer Claire Martin, ranked by Jazz Times USA as “among the four or five finest female jazz vocalists on the planet”, and fabled guitarist Jim Mullen have worked together frequently over the years. But for 2018 they have developed a new project celebrating the work of legendary guitarist Wes Montgomery, who died 50 years ago at the age of just 45.
From the late ‘50s to the late ‘60s, Montgomery was the pre-eminent jazz guitarist in the world. And he had a huge influence on many who followed. Among those who have acknowledged their debt to him are George Benson, Kenny Burrell, Jimi Hendrix, Pat Metheny and Stevie Wonder.
And, of course, Jim Mullen. Just like Wes Montgomery, Jim plays exclusively using his thumb.
Claire Martin needs little introduction to the Jazz Hastings audience. She tours constantly, quite often appearing with our very own Liane Carroll, and has made more than 18 albums (three of them with Jim Mullen). One of the most recent led The Times to call her “our finest jazz singer”
Tuesday 15th January
Tina May Trio
Tina May: Vocals
Nikki Iles: Piano
Arnie Somogyi: Double Bass
Tina May has been described by one critic as “a singer whose voice contains aspects of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee and Cleo Laine, but the overall effect is pure Tina May… her ability to change rhythm, tone and style many times during a number creates her own very special brand of modern jazz”. Tina has appeared in concert halls and jazz clubs all over the world and has recorded countless brilliantly reviewed albums. Along the way she has worked with a battalion of great artists, among them Stan Tracey, Johnny Dankworth, Cleo Laine and Scott Hamilton.
But perhaps her closest collaboration has been with pianist Nikki Iles. They have been appearing and recording together since 1996. Their musical friendship has taken them all over the globe – they’ve given concerts in Los Angeles, Tokyo and almost every country in Europe.
They’ll be joined for this session by the ever-swinging, inventive double bass player Arnie Somogyi.
Tuesday 12th February
Rod Youngs: The Power of Three
Rod Youngs: Drums
Denys Baptiste: Sax
Larry Bartley: Bass
London-based drummer Rod Youngs’ approach to music is intuitive, emotional and all embracing but soundly rooted in the jazz tradition.
He moves seamlessly from one genre to another, always preserving stylistic conventions whilst injecting creativity and individuality.
His journey in music began in his youth and blossomed into a distinguished career that has spanned over two decades. A native of Washington DC, Rod developed an interest in music from his father, who managed some of DC’s foremost R&B bands. He developed a life-long obsession with drums and percussion.
Since those early years, Rod’s consummate musicianship has brought him a wide variety of work including concerts, numerous recordings and sessions for radio, TV and film. He has become the drummer of choice for a formidable array of artists including Gil Scott-Heron, Courtney Pine, Hugh Masakela, Natalie Cole, Mica Paris and Abdullah Ibrahim.
He will be joined for this performance by long-term collaborators Denys Baptiste on saxophone and Larry Bartley on bass.
Tuesday 12th March
THE OXLEY-MEIER GUITAR PROJECT
Pete Oxley: Guitars
Nicolas Meier: Guitars
A welcome return for the brilliantly matched duo of two of the best guitarists around, Pete Oxley and Nicolas Meier. The Observer said of their last album together, The Colors of Time, that “when it comes to empathy, this duet of guitar virtuosi come close to perfection”.
Expect a dazzling display of contemporary fare, ranging from Turkish panache to soundscapes of Latin America to English pastoralism. Hear this played on nylon string, steel string, electric, 12 string, fretless, slide, guitar-synth, glissentar guitars and more!
For their live gigs, the Oxley-Meier Guitar Project aim to entertain by playing with a spontaneity and an intuitive interplay between them that keeps them fresh and fired up from gig to gig. So expect the unexpected!
Pete began his career in Paris before relocating to London in 1997, since when he’s played with many of the world’s leading jazz artists. Swiss-born Nicolas has performed extensively with his own band as well as spending three years touring the world with Jeff Beck.
Tuesday 9th April
Henry Lowther’s Still Waters
Henry Lowther: Trumpet
Pete Hurt: Saxophone
Barry Green: Piano
Dave Green: Bass
Paul Clarvis: Drums
Henry Lowther formed Still Waters in 1996 along with his friend of 40 years, bassist Dave Green.
It is now one of the most accomplished and creative bands around, playing radical and original music, ranging from gentle, quietly pastoral and melodic compositions, reflecting the band’s name, through to dynamic improvisation.
In the sixties Henry worked on the rock scene with Manfred Mann and John Mayall, and also with Keef Hartley, with whom he appeared at the legendary Woodstock festival in 1969. Around the same time he joined the John Dankworth Orchestra, an association that was to last 45 years.
His musical breadth is confirmed by his frequent appearances as a classical player with major symphony orchestras and ensembles. As a session musician he has recorded with Bing Crosby, George Harrison, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Van Morrison, Sir Simon Rattle and Nelson Riddle.
Along with Dave Green on bass, he’s joined by Pete Hurt on saxophone, Barry Green on piano and Paul Clarvis on drums.
Tuesday 7th May
Toni Kofi: A Portrait of Cannonball
Toni Kofi: Saxophone
John Danaldson: Piano
Simon Thorpe: Bass
Spike Wells: Drums
Alto-sax master Tony Kofi fronts this loving celebration of the jazz giant (in every sense) Julian ‘Cannnonball’ Adderley, which traces the explosive music of Cannonball from his first session as leader in 1955 through work with Miles Davis to t
he soul-jazz of the late 1960s.
Born of Ghanaian parents, Toni is a British multi-instrumentalist who plays alto, baritone, soprano and tenor saxophones and the flute. He has established himself as a musician, teacher and composer of some authority. Among many other awards, he was the winner of Best Instrumentalist in the BBC Jazz Awards 2008.
As well as leading a number of his own bands, he has worked and recorded with artists such as Ornette Coleman, Courtney Pine, Donald Byrd, Eddie Henderson, The David Murray Big Band, Abdullah Ibrahim, Macy Gray, Harry Connick and the Julian Joseph Big Band.
Playing with him this evening will be Jazz Hastings regulars John Donaldson on piano, Simon Thorpe on bass and Spike Wells on drums.
Tuesday 4th June
Julian Nicholas Band
Julian Nicholas: Saxophone
Imogen Ryall: Vocals
Mark Edwards: Piano
Tim Robertson: Bass
Darren A. Beckett: Drums
The legendary Bobby Wellins says of Julian Nicholas that: “His beautiful and creative playing makes Julian one of my favourite tenor saxophonists”. After he accompanied her at the Brighton Festival, Nina Simone requested that he play with her again when she came back the following year.
Julian was made aware by his composer grandfather that music can be accessible and yet still retain integrity, originality and depth. With this in mind, he has worked in most genres as a session musician and sideman, sustaining a reputation for his own artistry and unique flavour within jazz.
Among the artists he has worked with during his career are Jimmy Witherspoon, Bobby Wellins, Martha Reeves, Loose Tubes, Harry ‘Sweets’ Eddison, Stan Tracey and Toyah Wilcox.
He says the line-up of his current band – Imogen Ryall on vocals, Mark Edwards on piano, Tim Robertson on bass and Darren A, Beckett on drums – is perfect for the cross-genre melodies and grooves long associated with his style.