Lancaster Jazz Festival 18 - 20 September 2015 www.lancasterjazz.com Large Print, Text Only Festival Programme Page 1 of 58 Table of Contents Accessibility and Venue Information 5 Hello and Welcome to Lancaster Jazz Festival 2015 7 Artist in Residence - Seth Bennett 10 Featured events: 10 Supported Events 12 Jazz Breakfasts NorVol: “How can I run a successful jazz venue?” Afternoon Tea at The Royal Kings Arms The Lindsay Hannon Plus Billionaires Trio 12 13 15 16 17 Friday 18th September 18 Lancaster Brewery Stage Richard Ormrod Workshop (5pm) LRGS Big Band (7.30pm) A Dread Supreme (9pm) Taupe (10pm) 18 19 20 21 22 Page 2 of 58 Saturday 19th September 23 Sun Square Stage Jazz North Introduces (12noon) Dakhla Brass (1.20pm) Thunkfish (2.40pm) Blind Monk Trio (4pm) Saturday 19th September The Hall Q&A: Leo Geyer & Seth Bennett (11.30am) Khymerikal (12.45pm) Lancaster Jazz Festival Youth Jazz Commission 2015: Calum Macleod presents “NODHA” (2pm) En Bas Quartet (3.15pm) 23 25 26 27 28 30 30 31 32 33 35 Lancaster Jazz Festival Headline 2015: Saturday 19th September 37 Empirical Open Jam Session (10.30pm) 37 40 Sunday 20th September 41 Sun Square Stage The Paradise Trios (12.20pm) Yesa Sikyi (1.40pm) Tori Freestone / Alcyona Mick (3pm) Sunday 20th September 41 43 44 46 48 Page 3 of 58 The Hall Seth Bennett Workshop (11am) Grew & Watts (1.45pm) Cameron Vale (2.20pm) Word of Moth (3.45pm) 48 49 50 51 52 Made By 53 Lancaster Jazz Festival 2015 Programme 56 Friday 18th September 56 Saturday 19th September 56 Sunday 20th September 57 Page 4 of 58 Accessibility and Venue Information We make every effort to ensure Lancaster Jazz Festival events are accessible to our whole audience. If you require any more information than what is included in this programme or online at www.lancasterjazz.com then please do get in touch with the festival team at info@lancasterjazz.com or speak to any of our LJF volunteers at any of our events. All our venues are wheelchair accessible apart from The Golden Lion. The “Festival Hub” is located at The Sun Hotel on Sun Street and members of the Festival Team with be there Page 5 of 58 between 9am and 5pm on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September. An audio described version of this programme is available at www.lancasterjazz.com Page 6 of 58 Hello and Welcome to Lancaster Jazz Festival 2015 We like to do things a little differently here. This year we are taking another massive step towards one of the festival’s long term goals, which is to become a truly artist-led festival. We are aiming to create an artists’ playground, featuring exceptional music set in the beautiful surroundings of the historic city of Lancaster. This is going to be the best LJF to date - and we’re more excited about this one than any we’ve made so far.We’ve programmed artists that we feel are doing something truly original and exciting, artists who will create beautiful new works, be open to collaborations and be breathtakingly stunning. We’re also supporting emerging artists like never before with help from our Page 7 of 58 Artist in Residence for 2015, Seth Bennett, possibly the most original British double bassist in a generation. He’s not only going to be developing and showcasing his own extraordinary projects but has as also been mentoring our Youth Jazz Commission, awarded to pedal harpist Calum Mcleod, and will be working with our emerging artists throughout the festival. And for you, the “best jazz audience in the country”, as stated by headline drummer Pedro Segundo last year, we have the best contemporary music and emerging jazz that you will find anywhere in the UK. With our partners and members we’ve taken your suggestions and redesigned every event in the festival from the ground up to make them even better and more ambitious. And, we have the wonderful ‘Empirical’ headlining at the Dukes, promising another truly memorable gig (just be there!). Page 8 of 58 If you haven’t been before, then a huge welcome. We’re sure you’ll find stuff you’ll love, whether that is joining us at the Brewery for some beer and reggae crossover, or tea and deckchairs in Sun Square, or the best coffee in the UK with added violins in The Hall. “Jazz lives here in Lancaster” said Courtney Pine last year and we completely agree. Welcome to our 5th birthday - it’s gonna be really special. - Matt Robinson and Dave Shooter Page 9 of 58 Artist in Residence - Seth Bennett Our very first Artist in Residence. The most original double bassist working in the UK right now. Based at the Festival Hub but with showcasing performances at The Hall and other wanderings around the entire festival. Featured events: Saturday 19th September: 11.30am - Q&A with Leo Geyer, The Hall 3.15pm - En Bas Quartet, The Hall 10.30pm - Jam Session, Golden Lion Page 10 of 58 Sunday 20th September: 11am - Workshop, The Hall 3.45pm - Word of Moth, The Hall As one of the most active jazz musician in the country over the last 20 years Seth Bennett has been playing in everything from European touring hardcore punk groups to the North Sea Jazz Festival with Gilles Peterson. His hugely diverse portfolio of work swings from improvising chamber group 7 Hertz, to sideman for folk singer Mary Hampton, to co- operative jazz trios and beyond. At home in many and wide ranging musical disciplines Seth also works as an educator, teaching at Sheffield Jazz Workshops for the last three years where he won a Jazz Yorkshire award for Best Teacher. He also taught on the Sound and Music Composer’s Summer School in 2012. Page 11 of 58 Supported Events Jazz Breakfasts Where: The Robert Gillow, 64 Market Street. LA1 1HP When: Friday 18th September, Saturday 19th September, Sunday 20th September. 9.30am each day. Duration: 2 hours 30 mins Tickets: FREE Access: Accessible Enjoy a tasty breakfast and live jazz every morning at The Robert Gillow Page 12 of 58 NorVol: “How can I run a successful jazz venue?” Presented in partnership with the Northern Jazz Promoter Network Where: Festival Hub, The Sun Hotel, Sun Street. LA1 1EW When: Saturday 19th September, 2.30pm Duration: 3 hours Tickets: FREE Access: Accessible Find out everything you could want to know about running a venue or festival from the North’s own Jazz Promoter Network. The event will include presentations, panel discussions and a clinic. If you are Page 13 of 58 a new or experienced promoter, or maybe just thinking about giving it a go, then this event is for you. Topics will include; finding an audience, getting the right venue, developing a programme, letting people know what you do, paying for it, developing the scene and many more... Page 14 of 58 Afternoon Tea at The Royal Kings Arms Join us for jazz and high tea on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons in the heart of the historic city of Lancaster, at the recently refurbished Royal Kings Arms Hotel with views of its famous castle. Originally built in 1625 and rebuilt in 1879, the hotel was immortalised by Charles Dickens in his tale of “The Lazy Tour Of Two Idle Apprentices”. Page 15 of 58 The Lindsay Hannon Plus Presented in partnership with Jazz North Where: Royal Kings Arms, Market Street. LA1 1HP When: Saturday 19th September, 1pm Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes with interval Tickets: FREE Access: Accessible Lindsay Hannon / voice James Harrison / piano John Pope / double bass Tom Chapman / drums Raucous barrel-house blues or spacious ballad: genres are thoughtfully juxtaposed, each song a journey in itself, creating an electric atmosphere. Page 16 of 58 Billionaires Trio Where: Royal Kings Arms, Market Street. LA1 1HP When: Sunday 20th September, 1pm Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes with interval Tickets: FREE Access: Accessible Emma William / voice ‘Boogie’ Bill Roberts / piano Paul Froggatt / tenor sax The Billionaires Trio is a fun and foot-tapping band emulating the sound and style of the great American dance bands, moving seamlessly from jump-jive to ratpack via some good-time rhythm & blues. This slick little outfit can really swing, leading you through a wonderful jazzy journey of timeless classics from the likes of Louis Prima, Peggy Lee and Sinatra. Page 17 of 58 Friday 18th September Lancaster Brewery Stage Where: Lancaster Brewery, Lancaster Leisure Park, Wyresdale Road. LA1 3LA When: Friday 18th September, Doors 7.30pm Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes Tickets: FREE Access: Wheelchair accessible Produced in partnership with Lancaster Brewery Start your festival here as we launch into Lancaster Jazz 2015 with a mad mix of emerging talent, pioneering music and fantastic beer. Page 18 of 58 Richard Ormrod Workshop (5pm) Bring an instrument and join award winning multiinstrumentalist, bandleader and teacher Richard Ormrod as he delves into the world of improvisation and jazz using bits of material from A Dread Supreme. A short performance of the music created in the workshop will take place at 8.30pm Page 19 of 58 LRGS Big Band (7.30pm) Paul Froggatt / conductor The LRGS big band has a long and distinguished history giving many young musicians a chance to play serious charts and develop into formidable players. The band is a major feed for the county big bands, with many alumni going on to professional careers in the music business. Page 20 of 58 A Dread Supreme (9pm) Richard Ormrod / reeds/flute/melodica/percussion/vocals Chris Campbell / guitar & vocals Bob Birch / Hammond & synth Kenny Higgins / bass Sam Hobbs / drums Joseph Gerald ‘Spear’ / percussion & vocals Turning Coltrane into 70s Jamaican Roots, re-imagining the 60s protest songs of Bill Wilson for the 21st Century and performing sets of open-ended improvisations based on early Caribbean dance bands and 50s American lounge acts. Page 21 of 58 Taupe (10pm) Jamie Stockbridge / alto sax Mike Parr-Burman / guitar Adam Stapleford / drums A Newcastle upon Tyne based trio specializing in razorsharp polyrhythmic play, exploratory improvisation and raw, high energy live performances. The group’s sound is built of influences drawing from free jazz and math metal to hip-hop grooves and postbop, with a healthy dollop of skronk, navigated down a path that seeks to blur the line between carefully constructed rhythmic compositions and explosive group improvisation. Page 22 of 58 Saturday 19th September Sun Square Stage Where: Sun Square, Sun Street. LA1 1EW When: Saturday 19th September, 12 noon Duration: 5 hours Tickets: FREE Access: Wheelchair accessible An open air stage in the beautiful Georgian surroundings of Sun Square. Grab a coffee from the Music Room and recline in a deckchair or pop round the corner to the Festival Hub at The Sun Hotel to chat with the artists over a couple of beers. Family friendly. Feel free to bring picnics although please be advised that no alcohol is allowed in the square. Page 23 of 58 This is an outdoor event that will go on, rain or shine. In case of severe weather, please refer to www.lancasterjazz.com or twitter.com/LancasterJazz on Sat 19 Sept for up to the minute information. Presented in partnership with Lancaster BID Page 24 of 58 Jazz North Introduces (12noon) Jazz North Introduces is a scheme that provides young nothern jazz artists with their first high-profile showcase performances and mentoring with leading UK jazz artists. This initiative from our partners at Jazz North builds on the mjf introduces scheme to showcase the very best new jazz talent from across the north. At the time of going to print the artist has yet to be selected. For the latest information and line-up please visit www.lancasterjazz.com Page 25 of 58 Dakhla Brass (1.20pm) Matt Brown / drums Charlotte Ostafew / baritone sax Sophoe Stockham / alto sax Pete Judge / trumpet Liam Treasure / trombone Bristol based Dakhla Brass play original music combining evocative harmonies, intricate rhythms, absorbing soundscapes; from one extraordinary drummer and four top-of-their-game-horn players. “A powerhouse. Talent, instinct and creativity make them a real force to be reckoned with” Sound on Sound. Page 26 of 58 Thunkfish (2.40pm) Tom Pickles / sax/flute Charles Dearness / trumpet Jed Potts / guitar Tom Wilkinson / bass Richard Kass / drums Thunkfish are the sole entity at the forefront of the notquite nascent PTHRONK scene. They are a tight, yet unpredictable blend of jazz, punk, thrash, prog and funk, with influences from Headhunters to Metallica: One moment head-nodding, infectious grooves, escalating to mosh-pit intensity, one minute rhythmically ambiguous and expansive, always interesting and infectious. Page 27 of 58 Blind Monk Trio (4pm) Presented in partnership with Jazz North Bob Whittaker / tenor sax Hugo Harrison / double bass Johnny Hunter / drums They have caused quite a stir over the past couple of years in the Northwest jazz scene, putting a fresh spin on the sax/bass/drums trio format. With influences from the whole history of the genre (Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, FLY) blended with alternative rock and eastern folk, Blind Monk Trio present quirky original compositions along with some surprising arrangements of classic standards. Page 28 of 58 “Energetic, original and quirky - think John Coltrane meets Led Zeppelin” - Marsden Jazz Page 29 of 58 Saturday 19th September The Hall Where: The Hall, China Street. LA1 1EX When: Saturday 19th September, 11.30am Duration: 4 hours 30 mins Tickets: FREE Access: Wheelchair accessible via ‘south’ entrance with temporary ramp. Festival Team will be available to offer assistance. A truly unique mix of artists in the beautiful, brilliant and intimate contemporary cafe of Lancaster's award winning coffee roasters and brewers J. Atkinson & Co. Free entry but limited seating. Presented in partnership with J. Atkinson & Co. Page 30 of 58 Q&A: Leo Geyer & Seth Bennett (11.30am) Leo Geyer / LJF Youth Jazz Commission 2014 Seth Bennett / LJF Artist in Residence 2015 Returning to LJF after premiering new work here in 2014 Leo Geyer talks with Seth Bennett and our festival reporter, Rob Herrisone-Kelly about jazz, composition, festivals and all/any of your questions. Page 31 of 58 Khymerikal (12.45pm) Leo Geyer / conductor Rachel Maby / voice Sara Hall / clarinet Tim Rathbone / violin Mike Newman / cello A programme of contemporary music inspired and pervade by jazz featuring not one but two world premières. ‘The Last Minstrel Suite’ by Michael Newman is a setting of the introduction to Sir Walter Scott’s narrative poem ‘Lay of the Last Minstrel’. And a second for full ensemble, combining jazz and cubism to create an explosive collage of musical luminescence. Page 32 of 58 Lancaster Jazz Festival Youth Jazz Commission 2015: Calum Macleod presents “NODHA” (2pm) Supported using public funding by Arts Council England Calum MacLeod / harp & vocals Liam Waddle / piano Harry Jones / electronics A pedal harp graduate from the RNCM Calum is a fluent Gaelic speaker, having been immersed in Gaelic culture from an early ages. He has won many prizes, including the clarach competitions at the Pan Celtic Festival in Donegal and the Stan Barker Memorial Prize for Jazz Page 33 of 58 Improvisations. In this commission Calum will be reworking and connecting the harmonic material of both traditional Gaelic folk song and contemporary jazz. Exploring pedal harp and pedal boards, the Scots Gaelic language and jazz composition. Page 34 of 58 En Bas Quartet (3.15pm) Seth Bennett / double bass Alice Eldridge / cello Benedict Taylor / viola Aby Villiamy / viola “I formed En Bas Quartet because I wanted to play in an improvising string quartet. I’d long been interested in contemporary chamber music, and wanted to investigate that aesthetic in an improvised context. A “low” quartet also allows me to join in - the bass part in a quartet is usually taken by the cello - and write music for a chamber ensemble, with all the interaction and rhythmic subtlety they use. I find the parallel between a small jazz ensemble and a string quartet very interesting; both groups will stretch time, allow the music to breathe and pause, and find a way to play as a single unit. I chose Page 35 of 58 three of the best string improvisors in the country to form the rest of the ensemble, and was lucky enough that they all agreed to take part in the project.” - Seth Bennett / Artist in Residence Page 36 of 58 Lancaster Jazz Festival Headline 2015: Saturday 19th September Empirical Where: the Dukes, Moor Lane. LA1 1QE When: Saturday 19th September, 7.30pm Duration: 2 hours 30 mins with interval Tickets: £12.50 Booking: Buy from the Dukes Box Office - 01524 598500, www.dukes-lancaster.org or in person from the Dukes Access: Accessible Presented in partnership with the Dukes Page 37 of 58 Sponsored by Lancaster Brewery Nathaniel Facey / alto sax Lewis Wright / vibraphone Tom Farmer / double bass Shaney Forbes / drums With the release of their 5th studio album this autumn, Empirical show once again why they were dubbed by The Daily Telegraph as “the coolest of Britain’s young jazz bands.” Now come of age, they are considered one of the UK’s most highly acclaimed jazz outfits, known for producing forward looking, risk taking and creative music. Formed in 2007 as part of the Tomorrow’s Warriors scheme, and settled on the current line-up in 2008. Their excellent tribute to Eric Dolphy, ‘Out ‘n’ In’ (Naim), led to a MOBO award in 2010 for Best Jazz Act and led to an Page 38 of 58 international touring career which has showed no signs of slowing down. Their aim to expand on the traditions of Jazz sees them create music both timeless and totally now, inside and out. "Empirical could turn out to be one of the most important bands in British Jazz history” - Jazzwise. Page 39 of 58 Open Jam Session (10.30pm) Where: Golden Lion, Moor Lane. LA1 1QE Tickets: FREE Access: Wheelchair access by temporary ramp. The Festival Team will be available to offer assistance. Right next door to the Empirical gig and starting only once they’ve finished is our annual open jam session hosted by LJF Artist in Residence, Seth Bennett. Bring an instrument and play till the early hours with the house band or simply join us for a post gig beer or two. Page 40 of 58 Sunday 20th September Sun Square Stage Where: Sun Square, Sun Street. LA1 1EW When: Sunday 20th September, 12.20pm Duration: 3 hours 40 mins Tickets: FREE Access: Wheelchair accessible An open air stage in the beautiful Georgian surroundings of Sun Square. Grab a coffee from the Music Room and recline in a deckchair or pop roundd the corner to the Festival Hub on Sun Street to talk with the artists with a couple of beers. Outdoor event that will go on rain or shine. In case of severe weather, please refer to www.lancasterjazz.com or www.twitter.com/LancasterJazz on Saturday 19th September for up to the minute information. Page 41 of 58 Family friendly. Feel free to bring picnics although be advised that no alcohol is allowed in the square. Presented in partnership with Lancaster BID Page 42 of 58 The Paradise Trios (12.20pm) Richard Iles / Flugel Horn Mike Walker / guitar Les Chisnal / piano The trio builds on Richard’s experience of playing with Mike and Les in varied contexts over the past 25 years. Ideal champions of his music, together they bring a stripped-back approach to his compositions: reflective melodies with rich harmonies – inspired by the Jimmy Guiffre trios of the ’60s – that will inspire the best musical conversations between three musicians very familiar with each other’s playing. Page 43 of 58 Yesa Sikyi (1.40pm) Chelsea Carmichael / tenor sax Nubya Garcia / tenor sax Lily Carassik / trumpet Greg Evain / piano Arthur O’Hara / bass Ed Harley / drums Yesa Sikyi are a new six piece jazz band based in London. Yesa Sikyi (yessa seechee) came together on the jazz course at Trinity College of Music in London. Having recently released their debut EP ‘Out Of Earshot’ the group are gaining a increasing following in London and beyond for their repertoire of beautiful arrangements of classic standards and original tunes. Page 44 of 58 Page 45 of 58 Tori Freestone / Alcyona Mick (3pm) Tori Freestone / tenor sax/flute Alcyona Mick / piano After working together on the London jazz scene in various large ensembles including the London Jazz Orchestra and then travelling together to work on a project in the Canary Islands in 2014, this duo decided to fuse their unique writing styles and improvisational approaches to explore some new material and contemporary standards. Given their wealth of experience working with unusual instrumentation in a variety of formats, the duo is the ideal setting to blend their unique and distinct voices for a more intimate exploration of engaging and innovative material. Page 46 of 58 Page 47 of 58 Sunday 20th September The Hall Where: The Hall, China Street. LA1 1EX When: Sunday 20th September, 11am Duration: 5 hours 45 mins Tickets: FREE Access: Wheelchair accessible via ‘south’ entrance with temporary ramp. Festival Team will be available to offer assistance. A truly unique mix of artists in the beautiful, brilliant and intimate contemporary cafe of Lancaster award winning coffee roasters and brewers J. Atkinson & Co. Free entry but limited seating. Presented in partnership with J. Atkinson & co. Page 48 of 58 Seth Bennett Workshop (11am) Open to all musicians, Lancaster Jazz Festival’s Artist in Residence 2015 will explore improvisation and group work, communication and developing your ideas. Page 49 of 58 Grew & Watts (1.45pm) Stephen Grew / piano Trevor Watts / alto sax/soprano sax “One of Europe’s most dedicated and imaginative pianists” – mjf, Stephen Grew has worked with many of the leading improvisers of the past twenty years including, Evan Parker, Richard Scott, Keith Tippett and Clark Tracey. Trevor Watts is a legend of improvised music whose work over the past fifty years has included Archie Shepp, Don Cherry, Steve Swallow, Dave Holland and Kenny Wheller. Page 50 of 58 Cameron Vale (2.20pm) Presented in partnership with Jazz North Miles Spilsbury / saxophone & effects George Birkett / guitar Sam Dutton-Taylor / bass & effects Finn Booth / drums Formed in Leeds in summer 2013, Cameron Vale is made up of members from diverse musical backgrounds. In their music, they combine improvisation, jazz, rock and electronics with original compositions. Expect a high energy blend of polyrhythms, improvisation and riffage. Page 51 of 58 Word of Moth (3.45pm) Dee Byrne / alto sax Cath Roberts / baritone sax Seth Bennett / double bass Tom Greenhalgh / drums Named after a typo on a funding application the music is contemporary jazz and off kilter grooves, with a healthy dose of free improvising thrown in, and has the added bonus of being a chordless group, forcing Cath and Dee to come up with innovative and unexpected arrangements of their tunes Page 52 of 58 Made By Our Partners: Supported using public funding by Arts Council England Lancaster Business Improvement District Lancaster Brewery Cumberland Building Society the Dukes Institute for Black Atlantic Research J. Atkinson & Co. Jazz North Karma, the indian room Lancaster Arts Partnership Lancaster Emerging Arts Partnership Page 53 of 58 More Music The Northern Voluntary Jazz Promoters Association Royal Kings Arms University of Central Lancashire Matt Robinson - Festival Director Dave Shooter - Producer Jen Benson - Festival Manager Jack Bond - Marketing and Audience Development Manager Leo Burtin - Associate Producer Rob Herissone-Kelly - Festival Reporter Seth Bennett - Artist in Residence David Fatkin, Paul Froggatt, Pete Hyde, Kathryn MacDonald, Alan Rice - Trustees Huge thanks to: Page 54 of 58 Julie Brown, Chris Bye, The Creative Hub, Richard Hammond, Fanny Martin, Ben McCabe, Steve Mead, Pete Moser, Ros Rigby, Nigel Slee, Jackie Thompson, Paula and Richard Williams, all our wonderful members and volunteers. Join us online: www.facebook.com/LancasterJazz www.twitter.com/LancasterJazz www.instagram.com/LancasterJazz #LancasterJazz15 #LanJazzFest #LJF2015 Page 55 of 58 Lancaster Jazz Festival 2015 Programme Friday 18th September 9.30am / Jazz Breakfast / Robert Gillow 5.30pm / Richard Ormrod Workshop / Lancaster Brewery 7.45pm / LRGS Big Band / Lancaster Brewery 8.30pm / Workshop Performacne / Lancaster Brewery 9pm / A Dread Supreme / Lancaster Brewery 10pm / Taupe / Lancaster Brewery Saturday 19th September 9.30am / Jazz Breakfast / Robert Gillow 11.30am / Q&A: Leo Geyer / The Hall Page 56 of 58 12pm / Jazz North Introduces / Sun Square 12.45pm / Khymerikal / The Hall 1pm / Afternoon Tea / Royal Kings Arms 1.20pm / Dhakhla Brass / Sun Square 2pm / YJC: Calum Mcleod / The Hall 2.30pm / NORVOL: How to run a jazz club / Festival Hub 2.40pm / Thunkfish / Sun Square 3.15pm / En Bas Quartet / The Hall 4pm / Blind Monk Trio / Sun Square 7.30pm / Empirical / The Round, The Dukes 10.30pm / Open Jam Session / Golden Lion Sunday 20th September 9.30am / Jazz Breakfast / Robert Gillow 11am / Seth Bennett Workshop / The Hall 12.20pm / The Paradise Trios / Sun Square 1pm / Grew & Watts / The Hall Page 57 of 58 1pm / Billionaires Trio / Royal Kings Arms 1.40pm / Yesa Sikyi / Sun Square 2.20pm / Tipping Point / The Hall 3pm / Tori Freestone/Alcyona Mick / Sun Square 3.45pm / Word of Moth / The Hall Page 58 of 58