<img src='' title='Archives: What's On Events' alt='' id='templ_icon_' width='' height='' /> Archives: What's On Events

Multi-reed player Chris Biscoe has worked and toured with Mike and Kate Westbrook since 1979 and knows their music intimately. Mike Westbrook has a huge body of work, with characterful influential compositions whose performances range across small band jazz, through big bands, cabaret, fusion, chamber works – and creative re-workings of The Beatles’ Abbey Road.

Chris pays homage to his long-term musical associates in his new album ‘Music Is’ whose underlying simple idea is to rework some of the ‘magnum opus’ Westbrook pieces for a small jazz group, as you might an Ellington, Monk or Gershwin song.

Arrangements are simple, or created in the studio in partnership with members of the quintet. The title track, ‘Music Is’, appears twice, in its original ballad tempo, and in a spontaneous trio recasting as a medium tempo waltz.

“Everything about [the album] ‘Music Is: Chris Biscoe Plays Mike Westbrook is near perfect: the simplicity of the concept, the choice of material, the uncluttered nature of the arrangements, the quality of the performances, the clarity of the recording. A little gem” All About Jazz

Chris Biscoe – soprano, alto & baritone sax + alto clarinet
Mike Outram – guitar
Kate Williams – piano
Dave Whitford – bass
Jon Scott – drums

Presented by Jazz Steps

*Please note, seating for Jazz Steps shows is unallocated

Grooves and then some more… Brandon Allen’s Groove Band does ‘what it says on the tin’! Expect funky baselines, otherworldly drum grooves, soaring synthesisers and intricate and intoxicating sax/guitar melodies. Musical influences include Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Eddie Harris, John Scofield, Lalo Schifrin, Tom Scott, David Sanborn, The Brecker Brothers and Vangelis.

‘Brandon Allen is arguably the most exciting tenor player in Britain today. His phrasing is unashamedly emotional, soaked in the blues tradition.’ Jazzwise Magazine

‘Muscular and robust one moment, warm and soothing another, stretching out with an abrasive edge’ Jazz Journal

‘…a saxophone heavyweight, at the height of his powers…’. Blues and Soul Magazine

Brandon Allen – saxes
Mike Outram – guitar
Jim Watson – keys
Dave Jones – electric bass
Karl Paavola – drums

Presented by Jazz Steps

*Please note, seating for Jazz Steps shows is unallocated

Virtuoso jazz with influences from Flamenco, Tango & the Middle East virtuoso UK-based guitarist Nicolas Meier has carved a reputation as one of the world’s most original and uniquely talented guitarists. He mixes jazz with his love of Eastern & Middle Eastern music, Flamenco, Tango and more. This quartet exudes passion, versatility and musical fluency.

His triple album Magnificent was widely praised by critics, including John Fordham noting that the musical collection “…often suggests a wellspring of ideas and experiences in Nicolas Meier’s head and fingers that had been waiting for an opportunity to burst out.” The World Group tour includes Birthday Celebrations for Nicholas and encompasses gigs in the USA, France and his Swiss homeland as well as the UK. Make a date to hear this superbly engaging band!

“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…” Scotsman 4/5*

Nicolas Meier – guitars
Richard Jones – violin
Kevin Glasgow – electric bass
Demi Garcia – percussion

Presented by Jazz Steps

*Please note, seating for Jazz Steps shows is unallocated

Caribbean-influenced jazz originals from pianist & composer Luke Bacchus – with Marlon Hibbert on steel pans.  This young quartet’s passionate celebrates the immense musical heritage of the Windrush Generation.

BBC Young Jazz Musician 2022 finalist, pianist and composer Luke Bacchus is one of the most exciting emerging jazz musicians on the UK scene, as well as internationally – he played in the  Montreux Jazz Festival house band this summer.

Born and raised in London to Guyanese parents, Bacchus musically explores his Caribbean heritage as one of his major sources of inspiration, taking in genres and rhythms well beyond what we conventionally hear about. These compositions were first performed this summer at the Vortex Jazz Club, London – on the 75th Anniversary of the first arrivals from the Caribbean on the Windrush.

The line-up is the same as at the Vortex and includes young steel pan virtuoso Marlon Hibbert, winner of multiple awards who, at the age of just 17 years, founded the hugely successful Endurance Steel Orchestra which has developed in breadth and depth over the years he’s been leader.  Nate Ricketts (drums) and Amy Gadiaga (bass) complete the line-up. (NB: Menelik Claffey (bass) was listed in our early printed programme}

Luke has a distinctive sound, pairing entrancing rhythms from the Caribbean with jazz harmonies in his original compositions, as well as a unique approach to playing standards.

Initially teaching himself jazz piano from YouTube videos, Luke went on to study at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, London.  Musical influences include Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner and Thelonious Monk.

Watch his BBC 2022 Jazz Finalist performance here, with trio partners Michael and Mark Mondesir.  In the run-up to this, he talks about his musical background here.   Another video is of his composition ‘Cannibalisme’ live at the Crypt, London in March 2023. (NB: Amy Gadiaga plays bass in this line-up).

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear a memorable session of Caribbean-influenced jazz originals from pianist and composer Luke Bacchus – with Marlon Hibbert on steel pans.  A passionate celebration of the immense musical heritage of the Windrush Generation.

Luke Bacchus – piano
Marlon Hibbert – steel pans
Nate Ricketts – drums
Amy Gadiaga – double bass

Presented by Jazz Steps

*Please note, seating for Jazz Steps shows is unallocated

A mixed bill featuring professional keyboardist , Mark Everatt, playing  a variety of top hits and well known tunes, using state of the art keyboards. One of the best barbershop quartets, Oakie Dokie, will entertain with superb close harmony singing of some well known numbers and Nottingham’s newest originals band, the trio, called NG42 will play a few of their freshly written pop songs!