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Jazz’s ‘sound of surprise’ as familiar tunes from many genres get a fresh makeover!

In his Re-Creations quartet, John Law’s band creatively surprise and delight playing arrangements of well-known tunes taken from different genres – jazz, pop, indie, rock, folk – turning them into modern day jazz standards.

Knowing the familiar tunes, audiences feel part of the creative process and the play and interplay of the musicians. No matter how intricate the arrangements become and how inventive the improvisation, you tune-in to savour the underpinning melody and the tune’s pulse and propulsion.

As well as notably jazz tunes from the likes of Monk, Miles Davis and Gershwin, the quartet’s evolving repertoire includes pop/rock/indie tunes from such artists as Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder and Radiohead. Not forgetting classical pieces too, such as Satie’s Gymnopédie and Debussy’s Claire De Lune.

Line-up: John Law – piano, Sam Crockatt – tenor & soprano saxes, Henrik Jensen – bass and Alex Goodyear – drums

Funky musicality, style, great songs, passionate energy and a warmly charismatic stage presence – Kim has them all, in spades!

Kim Cypher is one of the UK’s most exciting and engaging performers, an exuberant saxophonist, vocalist and composer renowned for her funky musicality, vivacious style, passionate energy and warmly charismatic stage presence.

Together with her highly regarded band, Kim performs an eclectic mix of funky jazz grooves alongside blues and Latin swing, numbers from her most recent albums ‘LIVE and Smiling’ and ‘Catching Moments’.

Kim is inspired by the funkier side of jazz – having studied alongside US saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis, as well as with internationally acclaimed jazz saxophonist Andy Sheppard.

A regular performer on the London and UK jazz circuit, Kim’s infectiously entertaining shows include sell-out gigs at Ronnie Scott’s.

Line-up: Kim Cypher – saxophones & vocals, Chris Cobbson – guitar, Alex Steele – piano, Mike Greenbass and Mike Cypher – drums

Classic trumpet & tenor sax quintet with their own take on post-bop jazz!

Acclaimed Nottingham-based trumpeter Hugh Pascall brings his outstanding quintet to The Bonington to celebrate the release of their latest album ‘Viewfinder’ – aband of stellar musicians from the London jazz scene. Their classic front line featuring trumpet and tenor sax is idiomatic of the likes of Lee Morgan and Joe Henderson – or of Freddie Hubbard and Wayne Shorter.

This is a lyrical, vibrant contemporary take on post-bop jazz, with a unique character provided by the individual voices of these special musicians

Having toured extensively together over the last three years, this quintet is exciting and assertive in their delivery of Pascall’s original writing. Melodic, swinging and modal explorations are complimented by atmospheric, captivating ballads.

Line up: Hugh Pascall – trumpet & flugelhorn, James Allsopp – tenor sax, Liam Dunachie – piano, Oli Hayhurst – bass and Jay Davis – drums

A compelling homage to the Buena Vista Social Club – music from the band’s eponymous album with the infectious sounds of Cuban jazz.

‘Buena Vista Social Club’, the eponymously named album recorded in just seven days in 1996, has been a worldwide phenomenon. Awarded a Grammy in 1997, at 8 million copies, it’s outsold any other record in the same genre.

This is the Edgar Macías Quintet’s “take” on this legendary music – a rendition where every track has been arranged for the Latin Jazz Quintet format – and played with fervent passion.

Line-up: Edgar Macías – piano & vocals, Chris Bowden – alto sax, Tom Hill – bass & vocals, Miles Levin – drums and Néstor Pedrales – congas, bongo, percussion & vocals

A classic Ellingtonian sound from the mighty ‘pocket band’ playing great charts by ’The Duke’ and jazz artists he’d influenced.

Born out of the love of Ellington that pianist/arranger Alex Webb shares with the others in the band, The Pocket Ellington manages what ought to be impossible – creating a classic Ellingtonian sound with just four horns and a rhythm section.  But with Alan Barnes, Robert Fowler, Simon Finch and David Lalljee on hand, anything is possible.  Veteran bassist Dave Green and powerhouse drummer Alfonso Vitale provide the swing.

Great charts from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s – Main Stem, Rain Check, Cotton Tail, Chelsea Bridge, Such Sweet Thunder and others – are presented in clever new arrangements which evoke the period but also offer solo space to these top-flight musicians.

The repertoire also includes pieces from artists and arrangers who were influenced by the Duke – Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk and Gil Evans.  It’s a big sound from a pocket band.

Miles Davis is supposed to have said, ‘at least one day out of the year all musicians should just put their instruments down, and give thanks to Duke Ellington.’  The Pocket Ellington does just that.

Line-up: Alan Barnes baritone & alto sax and clarinet, Robert Fowler tenor sax, Simon Finch trumpet, David Lalljjee trombone, Alex Webb piano/MD, Dave Green bass and Alfonso Vitale drums.

A highly distinctive and attuned sound-world that melds jazz, Eastern & Middle Eastern music, Flamenco, Tango… Virtuosity and musicianship!

Nicolas Meier’s World Group has a highly distinctive sound, melding Eastern & Middle Eastern music, Flamenco, Tango and more – all mixed with jazz! His legendary virtuosity and eclectic musical interests are well supported by his super-talented quintet with its vibrant sonic palette.

Line-up: Nicolas Meier acoustic fretted & fretless guitars and glissentar, Richard Jones violin, Demi Garcia percussion, Tom Mason bass and Alex Hutton piano

‘Meier’s scintillating playing on assorted fretted and fretless guitars is sometimes reminiscent of Metheny or McLaughlin but with a highly melodic, pan-Mediterranean eclecticism of his own’ Jim Gilchrist – Scotsman ★★★★

Meier has toured the world as part of the Jeff Beck Band and has carved a reputation out as one of the world’s most original and uniquely talented guitarists.

This promises to be a brilliant gig!