I think we can look forward to an interesting season of live music planned for the months ahead, and with your support build on the success of last year’s programme.
- But first I must bring to your attention the little matter of support in the shape of our annual membership which is now due if you have yet to join or re-join. This is really important, not just for the £15 fee which helps with the expenses of marketing etc, but with a healthy number of members we can show funders that we are worth their attention. So please help and show your support for live jazz in Pembrokeshire with a commitment of just £15. Thank You.
- Just click here to complete the process https://narberthjazz.wales/event/membership-renewal/
- Not only will you get at least £1 off at each live show, but also the occasional ‘members only’ event and the right to vote at the AGM which will be in March, and that will be your chance to vote us out and run NJ yourselves!
Dave Jones is a classically-trained pianist and organist who developed an interest in jazz, and studied with jazz author Lionel Grigson from the Guildhall School of Music in London. He has since released numerous critically-acclaimed jazz albums with his own ensembles and appeared on albums by other artists, with whom he tours in the UK and Ireland and overseas. He also composes and produces music for TV and Film.
Jones has long been a fan of the music of the great ex-Miles Davis saxophonist/composer Kenny Garrett. So began the process of discovering Garrett’s other music, both older and newer.
Andy Hague (Trumpet) had a great set of charts for a wide selection of Garrett’s tunes. So began the current Quintet programme. Jones now utilising Hague’s horn-playing skills adding the impressive Ben Waghorn (sax), Ashley John Long (bass), and Ryan Thrupp (drums) to complete the Quintet from great players, their collective skills, experience, and credits make this a project to watch out for…
Some background for you.
Ben Waghorn (saxes and flutes for NYJO, Tommy Chase, Slowly Rolling Camera and Keith Tippett, Goldfrapp, Kasabian and Portishead), Ashley John Long (bass for John Law, Brandon Allen, Geoff Eales, Alan Barnes, Scott Hamilton, and London Philharmonic Orchestra), Andy Hague (trumpeter for Portishead, his own bands, and Be-Bop Club in Bristol regular), and pianist Dave Jones has released numerous critically acclaimed albums, performed internationally, and has TV composition credits including ‘The Big Bang Theory’, the US Open Golf Tournament, ‘The Today Show’, and ‘Location, Location, Location’.
A little taster for you. Dave Jones Quintet | birminghamjazz.co.uk
Friday 24th February we presented the extraordinary DUSKI.
This band’s sound is based on the amazing guitar of Dan Messore with a killer rhythm section of Aiden Thorne (acoustic and electric Bass) and Mark O’Connor drums.
Dan uses all the pedals on his foot board to create imaginary soundscapes that are so far from what we expect from a guitarist, they are more akin to synthesiser keyboards. The band can be heard on Bandcamp and have 3 CD’s out on the Ropeadope label.
Please note that this gig is at The Plas Hotel on FRIDAY 24th. February.
In March we will welcome back the composer and pianist DAVE JONES, who is now leading an all-star 5 piece band, and are touring his ‘A hole In One’ project and CD which the band put their mark on the great music of Kenny Garrett. The band includes Bristol based trumpet and drum star Andy Hague who we have featured at the Plas in the past.
They will also be promoting their latest CD release which was recorded live at Pizza Express, London earlier this month.
April will see the return of our ‘resident’ trio led by drummer John Gibbon. They will have with them, Simon Spillet on tenor sax who is a lot more than a fine player in the Stan Getz to Sonny Rollins styles. He has won every award possible for his playing and compositions, he is also an author, record producer and magazine columnist.
Other jazz around the county includes Tenby jazz Sunday brunch on 12th February with Dick Hamer and Tommy Harris Quintet.
Aberjazz do not have any gigs this month but our friend Nick Hislam is leading his Jazzology Band and playing regular nights at The Royal Oak on Fishguard main square. Details if you call them on 01348 218632.
We hope you will have a great month and would welcome any feedback/comments you may have. Please keep an eye on our website where all info can be found as well as tickets to all events.