GIG OF THE WEEK
- Julian Siegel Jazz Orchestra Symphony Hall, Birmingham Tuesday 7 February
On tour this week cast your minds back to the tough very brassy 'Blues' a track that introduced Tales From The Jacquard (Whirlwind, 2021), Julian Siegel's hard blowing big band work formed around a ''Jacquard suite'' (a Jacquard machine involving punched cards is used in lace making machines) on which the tenor saxophonist was joined by his jazz orchestra. Recorded in 2017 in Nottingham, London based Julian's childhood hometown, and broadcast on BBC Radio 3, the now 56-year-old player also featured on Doncastrian Mahavishnu Orchestra legend John McLaughlin's 2021 album Liberation Time. With tunes by Siegel tour personnel for the Jacquard tour in early-2023 is looking like Nick Smart, conducting, Mark Knopfler player Tom Walsh, Percy Pursglove, Henry Lowther, Claus Stötter in the trumpet section; Mike Chillingworth with Nathaniel Facey and John O'Gallagher on selected dates, Siegel himself, Stan Sulzmann, Tori Freestone and Gemma Moore in the sax section; Mark Nightingale, Trevor Mires, Harry Brown, Richard Henry (doubling tuba) in the trombone constellation; Mike Outram, guitar; Liam Noble selected dates, Ross Stanley selected dates, piano; Oli Hayhurst bass and the legendary Gene Calderazzo - brother of Branford Marsalis Quartet pianist Joey - on drums from the now disbanded four-piece Partisans that Siegel co-led with guitarist Phil Robson. After the Birmingham date the tour takes in Southampton, Sheffield, Derby and Soho.
Blind Monk Matt and Phred's, Manchester Wednesday 8 Feb
Dave Lewis' 1 Up Stoke By Nayland Hotel, Leavenheath Wed 8 Feb
Jerry Bergonzi quartet Strange Brew, Bristol Wed 8 Feb
US sax legend the Gonz here with an incredible band for Bristol that includes the ex-Jeff Beck UK jazz piano legend, Jason Rebello - and bassist's bassist: Mark Hodgson
Emma Rawicz and Fraser Smith Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham-on-Sea Wed 8 Feb
Aidan Pope trio Flute and Tankard, Cardiff Wed 8 Feb
Alex Clarke Quartet Guildford Pavilion, Guildford Wed 8 Feb
Joining the new star in the making saxist Alex Clarke are pianist Rob Barron, legendary bassist Dave Green and godfather of British jazz Stan Tracey's son road warrior Clark Tracey
Run Logan Run Strange Brew, Bristol Thursday 9 Feb
Emily Francis trio The Blue Lamp, Aberdeen Thurs 9 Feb
Luma last year revealed an original piano trio that does not take the usual overly dreamy orthodox route. A certain fire came instead from drummer Jamie Murray who brought a Mark Giuliana-like energy to the trio while leader pianist Emily Francis not to be outdone offers plenty of variety and pulsating ideas especially when switching to keyboards and manages to keep the trio sounding contemporary rather than a tribute to a lost age. Largely original tunes, the trio skirt round jazz-rock and electronica textures with bassist Trevor Boxall an alert presence at all times.
Chris Eldred The White House, Oxford Thurs 9 Feb
Ian Shaw Davenham theatre, Northwich Friday 10 Feb
Davide Giovannini Peggy's Skylight, Nottingham Saturday 11 Feb
Tenor titan Paul Booth is the Giovannini band.
Fergus McCreadie trio Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Sat 11 Feb
Nigel Mooney's Organ Failure The Workman's Club, Dublin Sunday 12 Feb
Emily Francis plays Aberdeen on Thursday, photo, top: via Spotify. Julian Siegel, photo above, press.
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