Bassa Bassa

The Seven Jazz Christmas Party!!

Round off the year in style with the merchants of musical mayhem Bassa Bassa...the jazz dance legends

Bassa Bassa have been around Leeds since 1987. In that time over 80 musicians have passed through the ranks of the band's brass and sax frontline with full rhythm section.

Varying between 9 and 22 members (currently 14) the band has appeared at Glastonbury and WOMAD, made trips to France and Ireland, and featured in many festivals around the UK. They have also often brought their commitment to benefits and demonstrations for causes ranging from Drop the Debt back to the days of Anti-Apartheid, Nicaraguan Solidarity and the Poll Tax.

Founded by Sam Paechter and Rachel Richman in 1987, the band caught the rising wave of World Music, but have never been easy to pigeonhole. Strong jazz foundations blend with blasts of ska, latin, african, and funk - always with a colourful and energetic stage presence of musicians who are obviously enjoying themselves.

The band is a loose collective centred around the longer-term members. Bassa Bassa has made a big contribution to Leeds' vibrant musical life since the late 1980s, without ever looking for, needing or receiving official backing.

Despite their openness to all contributions the band has always aimed for high standards. With three recordings under their belt (the first was recorded back in the late 80s with support from fellow Leeds band Chumbawamba) the band seem happy to keep rolling into the future.

And the name? "Somebody once assured us that it means pandemonium in West Africa. We since found out that it's also the name of a cooking sauce in the West Indies, a dust-up in Barbados, a township in Louisiana, a minority people in Liberia, the Latin name for a gannet, not to mention the British Airlines Steward and Stewardesses Association, it's whatever you want it to be..."

With music arranged by Seven Jazz favourite drummer Colin Byrne the band will contain many you will have seen before - in our audience, jam sessions or gigs, including some (or all) of

Alison Sheldon - clarinet (alto sax)
Caroline Standen - alto sax and flute 
Colin Byrne - drums 
Graham Jones - bass (percussion and guitar)
Helen Mills - trumpet (sousaphone and tuba)
Ian Swann - trombone (violin)
James Hamilton - trumpet
Jem Dobbs - trumpet 
Mark Priestley - guitar (tenor and soprano sax) 
Mary Plumb - alto sax 
Richard Scott - baritone sax (tenor and soprano sax)
Richard Warrington - trombone 
Richard Atkinson - tenor sax 
Ruth Coffey - congas and hand percussion 
Ruth Godfrey - tenor/baritone sax 
Steve Davison - trombone  

Bassa Bassa are at Seven on Sunday 20th December 2009 1-4pm

£5/4 concessions kids under 16 free