"The Printmakers"

Norma Winstone  vocals, Nikki Iles piano, Mike Walker guitar, Mark Lockheart sax, Steve Watts bass, James Maddren drums

This is pianist Nikki Iles 50th birthday tour. Come down and help her celebrate!

Brought together by their collective love of song, “The Printmakers” cross the boundaries that traditionally separate jazz, folk and the contemporary music world. The repertoire has the distinctive air of English song, including originals by band members, as well as exploring the relatively uncharted territory of Steve Swallow, Ralph Towner, Joni Mitchell, and the poetry of Rupert Brooke.

“The Printmakers” is headed by ECM recording artist and pioneering innovator of the voice in jazz Norma Winstone, and featuring some of the most in demand players on the British jazz scene. Highly respected pianist and composer Nikki Iles and guitarist Mike Walker’s almost telepathic empathy and energy will be familiar to many. Completing the line-up are saxophonist Mark Lockheart, bass player Steve Watts, and drummer James Maddren

This concert is supported by a grant from The Arts Council of England whose support is gratefully acknowledged

"The Printmakers" are at Seven Arts Thursday 30 May, £16/13 concessions, full time student standby £5 on the door only. Doors open at 8pm, music 8.30-11pm. Tickets tel 0113 26 26 777, online tickets here.

New York Brass Band

The New York Brass Band are Yorkshire’s only contemporary New Orleans inspired Brass Band. Hailing from the mean streets of York the band are part of a funky brass revolution that is sweeping the UK. Inspired by Rebirth, Soul Rebels, Hot 8, Youngblood and Brassroots, NYBB pack a powerful punch of relentless drums, rumbling tuba and wailing horns… nothing kicks a party into gear like the sound of a smokin’ New Orleans Mardi Gras Jazz Band.

New York Brass Band is a powerhouse 7-piece, with a line-up of percussion, sax, trumpets, trombones and sousaphone. The band take its inspiration from contemporary New Orleans musicians, but have a repertoire that ranges from Marvin Gaye to George Michael, from Cee-Lo Green to Stevie Wonder, with some funky, gritty northern originals thrown in for good measure.

New York Brass Band are at Seven Arts on Sunday 2 June, 1-4pm £5/£4 concessions kids under 16 free, families welcome. The doors open at 1pm, music 1.30-4pm

Jez Hall's Quartet featuring Pete Churchill

Jez Hall tenor sax, Pete Churchill piano, Gary Culshaw bass, Tony Faulkner drums

Business and Jazz don’t often mix but Jez Hall is an exception – he is the MD of the successful Dean Clough Mills –a creative enterprise complex in Halifax - while still retaining all his skills as a top-notch tenor sax player. In his younger days he studied creative arts college Dartington Hall with Bobby Wellins and was later was a member of Bobby's 'northern' quintet in the early '90s, a band that included Nikki Iles (before she moved to London), Gary Culshaw on bass, and Tony Faulkner. After Dartington he studied at Leeds College of Music before joining his father, the businessman and pianist Ernest Hall, on the reconstruction of what was then a derelict mill complex, a responsibility that has necessarily prevented him getting the exposure he deserves. Glad to see him back in the sax chair though, leading an all- star quartet at Seven Arts.

 
The pianist is quite something too- Professor of Jazz Composition at the Royal Academy of Music - Pete Churchill, one of the best singers, pianists and vocal teachers in jazz. Pete possesses a natural enthusiasm that has audiences hanging on his every word. This will be an afternoon to savour.

 Jez Hall's Quartet featuring Pete Churchill are at Seven Arts on Sunday 9 June, 1-4pm £5/£4 concessions kids under 16 free, families welcome. The doors open at 1pm, music 1.30-4pm