Karen Sharp Quartet
Karen Sharp's quartet is at Seven on Thursday 8th December 8pm, with Karen on tenor and baritone sax, Nikki Isles on piano, Dave Green bass and Steve Brown drums
See a clip from the gig on our YouTube site here and here
Trio Records artist and saxophonist Karen Sharp makes her debut at Seven with a stellar band of Nikki Iles on piano, the sensitivity and experience of Dave Green on bass, and Steve Brown's tightly swinging drums demonstrating her maturity as one of the foremost saxophonists in the country. With elements of Stan Getz and the late Ronnie Scott in her tenor playing, Karen displays a refreshing departure from the current common influences on the saxophone scene and has developed very much her own sound and approach. For anyone interested in swinging, intelligent straight ahead jazz played with sensitivity and commitment this concert cannot be recommended more highly.
For three years Karen played tenor sax in Humphrey Lytellton's band. This is what the late musical maestro said about her
"One of the most rewarding consequences of wearing two hats - labelled bandleader and broadcaster respectively - is the unique opportunity it offers to witness talent unfolding. Karen Sharp’s new album confirms what I have already observed, that over the past three or four years, she has steadily - I might almost say stealthily - developed into a major artist on the scene.
Karen’s playing on both saxophones is a perfect blend of poise and passion. One moment she is bringing out the beauty of a Billy Strayhorn composition with rare tenderness, the next she leads her wonderfully band with the urgency of one of Charles Mingus’s rampaging gospel-inspired pieces.
Some of the best things are Karen’s own compositions. I know, because I have had to discipline myself to play some of them, of her meticulous attention to detail with regard to form and dynamics. Anyone who approaches them in the expectation of a predictable ramble down familiar paths will have many a pleasurable surprise. Having persuaded her to join my band three years ago, I glow in the dark with the awareness that she now has one of the best sounds on the baritone sax to be heard on this planet. In fact, listening to her lovely album new has made me seriously phosphorescent, so I’ll say no more. You’ve got the gist" Humphrey Lyttelton - March 2007
Hear Karen on www.triorecords.co.uk
Karen Sharp Quintet at Seven Arts, Thursday 8th December at 8pm.
Tickets £15 (full price), £12 (concessionary) from Seven Arts tel 0113 26 26 777, standby tickets for full time students £5 on the door only.