Feb 2009

1st Feb 2009.........................................Soul Jazz Collective

The Soul Jazz Collective are one of the few bands who play a variety of styles throughout their sets. You can gaurantee a full on evening of musical entertainment.

The line up tonight is Kelvin Christiane-saxes,Mike Nicholls-trumpet,Simon Atkins-keys,David McLeod-bass and Noel Joyce-drums.

8th Feb 2009........................................Dave Boa-Trumpet

Dave has been playing and singing professionally since graduating from university with an honours music degree in 1996. He has performed at all the major concert venues in London with various groups and has played at several festivals including Reading, The Essential Festival and the Glastonbury jazz stage with various jazz-funk, soul and pop groups, which include My Life Story and The Jesus and Mary Chain, with whom he appeared on BBC T.V.

Since leaving university, he has studied with the British critically acclaimed trumpeter Gerard Presencer and has travelled Europe widely, having played in France, Germany, Switzerland, Holland and Italy, and has also held residencies, which includes a stint at The Grand Hyatt Hotel, Singapore, in 1999.

Dave performs mainly jazz standards/songs with his quintet, which range from the 1940’s to present day, but can also include soul, funk and more contemporary songs into his repertoire if needed and gigs regularly with this group on the London circuit.

The line up tonight is- Dave Boa-trumpet,Steve Ashworth- keyboard, David Mcleod-bass, Noel Joyce-drums.

15th Feb 2009............................................Christian Brewer-sax

Christian is one of the most lyrical and soulful alto players to have emerged from the UK in recent years. Loved for his melodic playing and pure tone, he has risen to prominence on the British jazz scene. He is now a regular at London's prestigious Ronnie Scotts and both he and his band are in great demand.
His musical roots besides jazz also include funk and groove orientated music. This has lead to commercial work with reggae trombonist Rico Rodriguez, Push, Paul Weller, Ottis Grand and the Ragga Twins amongst many others. This diversity has enriched his musical outlook and is evident in his style of playing and composing, whilst never compromising the authenticity of the jazz.

Christian studied at Leeds and The Guildhall School of Music. However, the defining musical inspiration came from playing alongside Julian Joseph and the Mondesir brothers at Ian Carr¹s jazz London fusion orchestra.

He has gone on to play with some of the finest players in Europe: Chano Dominguez (premier Spanish jazz flamenco pianist who is taking Europe by storm), Geoff Gascoine, Dave Schnitter, Carl Orr, Damon Brown, Carl Orr, Antonio Ciacca.)

He has performed in Europe¹s top clubs and festivals. With pianist Chano Dominguez and bass player Francisco Bose, he played in most of Spain's international festivals (1989 ¬ 91) including Seville, Malaga, Granada, Huelva, Jaen and Ceuta (North Africa). The group they formed, Decoy, also performed in Café Central in Madrid and recorded for television (Jazz Entre Amigos) and radio. In Spain he also collaborated with tenor saxophonists Dave Schnitter (ex Art Blakey), Jorge Pardo (Paco de Lucia) and Antonio Mesa; and played extensively with guitarist Tito Alcedo.

In the UK Christian has worked extensively with trumpet player Damon Brown, touring England, Scotland and Italy. He has featured on two of Damon¹s CDs (see below) and performed at Barcelona's Jamboree.

Since 2000 he has been leading his own group featuring the Leon Greening, Tom Herbert and Sebastian Rochford. His debut CD has won much critical acclaim, both at home and abroad. In 2003 the group performed at the Barcelona Masimas Jazz festival in August, toured the UK and successfully completed their third week at Ronnie Scotts in two years.
In November 2003 Christian was invited to play in Macau Jazz Festival (Hong Kong). This lead to an extensive 3 week tour of Portugal in 2004 (alongside English trumpeter Quenton Collins) finishing in the prestigious Hot Club of Lisbon.

Christian formed his quintet featuring the multi talented Jim Hart on vibes, Tristan Mailliot on drums, Phil Donkin on bass and Leon Greening on piano. The group played 2 weeks at Ronnie Scotts during the year and recorded a live CD there, which is due out on the house label. The group toured the UK during 2005; played at Swanage, Scarborough, Villa Real and Lisbon international jazz festivals in Portugal.
During the summer of 2005,they recorded their highly acclaimed CD: Seesaw, released on Basho Records in May 2006.

Both of Christian's CD's have won acclaim in Europe. In the International Jazz Competition of Granada (Spain) his previous CD (introducing Christian Brewer) came second in the competition in 2004, and during 2005, the group occupied the runner-up spot again with a special mention.

In May 2006, his quintet, supported by jazz services ,underwent an extensive 25 date tour of the UK.
During 2006/2007 Christian has joined guitarist Carl Orr's (ex Billy Cobbham) group Dangerfunk featuring Dave de Rose on drums and Neville Malcombe on bass.

Later in 2007, there are plans to record with Damon Brown and with Carl Orr.

The line up tonight is Christian Brewer-sax,Johnathan Gee-piano, Rob Rickenberg-bass,Noel Joyce-drums.

22nd Feb 2009......................................Rosanna Schura-vocals

German/ British singer songwriter Rosanna Schura graduated from Trinity College of Music after studying voice and piano, and, has since been performing with Jazz bands in and around London. She writes for various ensembles with whom she performs on the singer songwriter circuit. Rosanna has played at the following venues: The Vortex, Dartington Hall, Henry's Cellar Bar, Downstairs, The National Theatre Foyer, The Festival Hall Foyer and many more. She now manages a brand new live music & arts venue Pangea Project as well as pursuing a performance career. Her influences range from folk artists John Martyn and Judee Sill to Jazz greats like Nat King Cole and contemporary bands such as Fat Freddy's Drop. To listen to Rosanna Schura's songs please look for her online at www.myspace.com/rosannaschura. Her BBC devon live radio interview can be heard at www.rosannaschura.co.uk. To find out more about Pangea Project, please visit www.myspace.com/pangeaprojectlondon.

The line up tonight is Rosanna Schura-vocals, Kelvin Christiane-sax, Steve Ashworth-piano, David Mcleod-bass and Noel Joyce-drums.