Yoruba

Greg Nichols trumpet, Ben Lowman alto sax, John Waugh tenor saxophone, Aron Kyne piano, Sam Vicary bass guitar, Ali Mac percussion, Tim Carter drums

Photo: Tom Swire
 
Pianist/composer Aron Kyne was been awarded Jazz Futures funding by Jazz Yorkshire to help him develop as a jazz musician here in Yorkshire. Anyone who saw Yoruba at Seven in June last year will understand how well deserved that award was. The jazz/salsa/fusion band are back united by their love for high-energy Salsa and Jazz. Yoruba are a powerful 8-piece band intent on producing a tight driving sound. Led by Aron and comprising of some of the hottest young talent from around the Leeds area this band draws together a diverse mix of influences. They have created their own fusion of Jazz-Salsa-Samba, blending beautiful harmonies with syncopated rhythms, killer solos with a massive horn section sound.

See a video clip from last June's knockout Yoruba jazz gig at Seven here. Seven Jazz has a good vibe, friendly people and a fun raffle with (of course!) seven prizes. Families are very welcome.

Yoruba are at Seven on Sunday February 12 2012, 1-4pm £5/£4 concessions kids under 16 free. The doors open at 1pm, music 1.30-4pm

The Jim Mullen Reunion Band

Jim Mullen guitar, Gareth Williams piano, Mick Hutton bass, Gary Husband drums: Thus 16 Feb 8pm
 
As the name suggests this band is a reunion of the Quartet that was in existence for six years from 1996. It's members are amongst the most experienced jazz muscians in the country and  the group developed an extremely powerful musical identity during it's lifetime. Now reformed for a two-week tour band will be playing a mixture of new music specially written for the tour and pieces previously played or recorded. The Quartet has recorded five cds: We Go Back (1996), Live In Glasgow (1997), Burns (2000), Animation (2001), Somewhere In The Hills (2002). This group is one of the most powerful and exciting bands ever to appear on the UK Jazz Scene.

 
Jim Mullen: Moved to London from Glasgow in 1969, going on to work in the groups of Pete Brown (2 albums) Brian Auger (3 albums) Vinegar Joe (1 Album) and Kokomo (1 album). In 1975 he met sax player Dick Morrissey and began a 15 year association. After the demise of Morrissey Mullen he worked with jazz vocalist Claire Martin (3 albums) and formed a series of quartets (3 albums). As sideman he is in demand by visiting U.S. stars like Gene Harris, Mose Allison, Jimmy Smith, Weldon Irvine, Percy Sledge, Teddy Edwards, Plas Johnson, Jimmy Witherspoon and Terry Collier. He is twice winner of 'Best Guitar' in the British Telecom jazz awards and 'Best Guitar' in the British Jazz Awards for 2000.
 
Gary Husband: originally based in Leeds, Gary has recently been tutoring drummers from Leeds College of Music jazz course as part of the Jazz Yorkshire futures scheme. Current projects include live and recording work with John McLaughlin, Jack Bruce, Robin Trower, Allan Holdsworth Trio with Jimmy Johnson, Mike Stern, Hamburg’s NDR Big Band and Frankfurt’s HR Big Band.  He has also worked with artists such as Billy Cobham, Colin Towns, Jeff Beck, Gongzilla, Gary Moore, Level 42 and Mark King, Steve Topping, Maria Schneider, Jim Mullen, Randy Brecker, Andy Summers, Alan Skidmore, Chris Squire, Aydin Esen, Peter Erskine, Al Jarreau amongst many others.
 
Gareth Williams: One of the most intensely creative, dynamic and exciting performers on the UK scene, Gareth Williams has been receiving increasing critical and public acclaim since becoming a professional musician in the early 90s. He has for many yearsworked as pianist/MD for internationally acclaimed jazz singer Claire Martin (several times winner of the British Jazz Singer of the Year awards) and has also been involved in arranging her music, writing original compositions for her band, singing and playing guitar. He has worked with many international jazz greats, includilg Art Farmer, George Coleman, Bud Shank, James Moody and Dave Liebman, plus top British musicians such as Jim Mullen, Martin Taylor, Martin Drew, Tommy Smith, Tim Garland, Clark Tracey, Gwyneth Herbert and Iain Ballamy.
 
Mick Hutton: turned professional as a jazz double-bassist in 1981. In addition to leading his own bands he has played on over sixty albums and performed in many countries worldwide. Amongst the artists he has played with are: Django Bates, Kenny Wheeler, Jack Bruce, Bill Bruford, Humphrey Lyttelton, Nigel Kennedy, Acker Bilk, Jim Mullen, Gary Husband, Bob Berg, Pharoah Saunders, Tommy Smith, Courtney Pine, John Scofield, Annie Ross, Mose Allison and Bobo Stenson.

 
The Jim Mullen Reunion Band is at Seven Arts, Thursday 16 February, doors open 8pm music 8.30-11.15pm

The Fruit Tree Band

  
Fruit Tree are favourites of the Seven Jazz audience led by the skilled and energetic pianist (and Garforth Festival organiser) Dave Evans. They take on grooves and at times semi-free excitement equally to create a thrilling array of sounds. Tart and sweet by turn, but never syrupy, you’re enticed to taste and enjoy. Real jazz original - all their tunes are composed by Dave Evans and arranged with the band.

"Fruit Tree Project are an exciting, contemporary, creative, accessible  and innovative new band capable of exploring new terrain whilst, at the same time, taking audiences along with them!"  Colin Watson,

Website: http://www.myspace.com/fruittreeproject;See a clip from their previous seven gig here youtube

Fruit Tree Band are at Seven Arts on sunday lunchtime February 19 2012 1-4pm £5/4 concessions, kids under 16 free