March 2009

1st March 2009.........................................Soul Jazz Collective

The Soul Jazz Collective 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, Nick Tomalin-keys, Neville Malcombe-bass and Noel Joyce-drums.

8th March 2009........................................Laura Zakian-vocals

The welcome return of Laura to the club. British born Laura is now gaining even more prominence in the UK with the release of her third CD, ‘About Love ’.

About Love is the third album from acclaimed British jazz vocalist Laura Zakian. Originally set for release in December, it will now be released on 33Jazz Records late March 2009, due to a distribution change.

As the title suggests, all twelve songs on the album are about love in all its guises, the highs and lows and everything in between and take the listener on a seductively pleasing journey. As always Laura has delved beyond the Great American Songbook with interpretations of three songs outside the jazz repertoire: Bruce Johnston’s Disney Girls made famous by The Beach Boys, Joni Mitchell’s Two Grey Rooms and Love Junkyard, brought to prominence by Rickie Lee Jones.

On this third album, Laura is joined for the first time by her husband Paul Bartholomew, acclaimed baritone sax player and arranger (Mbawula, Jools Holland Big Band, Sting, Kylie etc.), who arranged album track, The Gentleman Is A Dope and collaborated with Laura on another, I’m A Fool To Want You.

“increasingly acclaimed Carmen – Ella singer” (Jazz UK)

“Miss Zakian debuts with a clear conception of how to phrase a lyric with subtle swing and rhythmic elasticity “(JAZZ REVIEW)

“Miss Zakian’s sophisticated delivery, flawless articulation and ability to put any type of song over and still make it come out as pure swinging jazz has to be heard to be fully appreciate”.” (JAZZ JOURNAL)

“Delightful” (Q)

“satin smooth vocal delivery, subtle but highly effective, if not downright seductive reading of a lyric and a laid back swing” (JAZZ JOURNAL)

The line up tonight is Paul Batholomew-sax,Simon Atkins-keys, Jerome Davies-bass and Noel Joyce-drums.

15th March 2009............................................Compassionate Dictatorship

… is born out of the collaboration between Jez Franks and Tori Freestone who have been playing and writing together since 1993 with performances including the London Jazz Festival, Staffordshire International Guitar Festival and various UK tours.

Guitar and sax led, the quartet play original material that draws from a wide and eclectic range of influences from folk to free and contemporary jazz, creating fresh sounds and textures within interesting harmonic frameworks and varied meters, blending four distinct voices into one.

“one of the most exciting groups in recent years...this group excels with a controlled but intelligent energy, sophisticated but not lacking in spirit” Avant Music Magazine

The line up tonight is Jez Franks-guitar,Tori Freestone-sax,Jaspar Hoiby-bass,Ben Reynolds-drums.

22nd March 2009......................................Sam Leak Trio

The Sam Leak Trio formed in the Autumn of 2007 and have since gained gigs at a host of venues including the 606 Club, The Space, The Polish Jazz Café and The Others.
They are already beginning to make their mark on the London Jazz Scene, and are currently preparing to record an album to be produced by pianist Tom Cawley. They mainly play original music composed by every member. All three members are current students at the Royal Academy Of Music.

Sam Leak is pianist in the trio. He has performed with a number of the most exciting players in UK jazz today including Jim Hart, Gareth Lochrane, Anita Wardell and Mornington Lockett, and has played at venues including Ronnie Scotts and the 606 club. He was a
semi-finalist in the 2008 Nottingham National Jazz Piano competition for solo pianists, and he performed at the 2008
Glastonbury Music Festival. He has appeared as a sideman on two albums (Rom D. Collective - “London Evolution” and The Jazz Funk Collective - “A Dummy’s Guide To Jazz”). He is a current student of Gwilym Simcock and has had master classes with pianists John Taylor and Jason Moran.

James Opstad is bass player in the trio. Despite being just 20 he has already played with many of the most respected
UK jazz musicians today, including Stan Sulzmann, Liam Noble and Mark Lockheart. He is also featured on albums by both Jon Opstad and South African pianist Nishlyn Ramanna. Besides being a bass player, James is also a composer and was highly commended in the
BBC/Guardian Composition Competition for three consecutive years. He wasoverall winner of the 2004 EPTA Composition Competition.

David Hamblett is drummer in the trio. Aged 20, he has played at two consecutive IAJE jazz festivals in L.A. and New York, as well as at most of the major UK Jazz venues. He has played with a number of highly regarded musicians including Stan Sulzmann, Joe Locke, Steve Wilson, Toni Kofi, Alex Wilson and Alan Barnes.

The line up tonight is Sam Leak-piano,-drums, James Opstad - Double Bass, David Hamblett - Drums.

29th March 2009......................................Dominic Bentham-bass

Dominic Bentham is a bass player who has been active on the London music scene for many years. He has written music for TV and is currently at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama doing a masters degree in jazz performance. Dominic is joined by Roberto Manzin - sax, Hilary Cameron - piano, and Noel Joyce - drums.

You can find out more at www.myspace.com/dominicbentham