Simon Purcell Quintet featuring Julian Seigel

Thurs 14th Oct: Simon Purcell – piano, Julian Seigel – tenor and soprano sax, bass clarinet, Chris Batchelor – trumpet, Steve Watts – bass, Gene Calderazzo – drums

With support from Mila Dores and Sam Watts

This is a quintet of old friends and musical associates of pianist and jazz educator (and professor!) Simon Purcell including Julian Siegel- sax, Chris Batchelor – trumpet, Gene Calderazzo – drums and Steve Watts- bass. The music lies somewhere between Miles, Wayne Shorter and Dave Douglas. Hear music from the quintet here 

Simon’s own playing embodies the influences of pianists such as Bud Powell, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea and McCoy Tyner, as well as the British pianists John Taylor and Pete Saberton. Since the mid 1980s, Simon has performed both as leader and sideman, appearing with amongst others – Red Rodney, Kenny Wheeler, Eddie Henderson, Stan Sulzman, Jean Toussaint and Julian Arguelles. Obsessively busy, Simon founded Jazz Umbrella in 1993, a London-based jazz collective, promoting gigs at the Vortex Jazz Club and establishing a network of gigs in local communities throughout the city. Despite his experience as a performer, Simon is best known as an educator. Simon has taught and mentored several generations of Britain’s finest jazz musicians. Between 1987 and 2005, he was professor of jazz piano and improvisation at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and was appointed Head of Jazz at Trinity College of Music in September 2005, meanwhile, co-directing the Glamorgan Jazz Summer School (formerly the Barry Summer School).

Trumpeter Chris Batchelor was a founder member, soloist and composer for the big band 'Loose Tubes' from 1983 – 90, with whom he toured extensively and released three acclaimed albums. He has played with Chris McGregor's 'Brotherhood of Breath', Dudu Pakwana's 'Zila' and Orchestre Jazira.Julien Seigel was last at Seven in 2009 with his trio with Joey Baron and Greg Cohen (see photo) - book early!  

Thursday October 14th. Doors open 8pm, music starts 8.30pm-11pm.  Tickets £15/12 concessions.

Support from MILA DORES in the bar at Seven: Mila Dores vocals and Sam Watts piano

 Seven Jazz has a good vibe, friendly people and a fun raffle with (of course!) seven prizes. Tickets can be ordered from Seven Arts 0113 26 26 777.