Spring / Summer 2010
Happy New Year and welcome to the Spring / Summer concert season at Leeds College of Music. We hope you will join us in launching the new decade in style with some of the best jazz, classical and world music around. The season is a showcase for the College’s work, with performances by flagship ensembles and former students sharing the bill with established artists. In line with the College’s contemporary ethos many of the featured ensembles reveal a wide mix of musical influences.
This season has a strong alumni focus, with former students appearing in many events, including Centre-Line, A Tribute to Atlantic Jazz, Led Bib, Samay and more. Look out for the alumni stars in this brochure and take advantage of the special ticket deal – buy tickets for three alumni star concerts and get a fourth event free!
There are two other principal themes this season – contemporary jazz piano trios, and the international saxophone. The first includes welcome return visits by Gwilym Simcock and Neil Cowley Trio as well as Australian trio Trichotomy’s first appearance at The Venue. Under the second strand, there are performances by American saxophone legends Dave Liebman and George Garzone, Norwegian Froy Aagre, Andy Scott’s Mexican project Naked Footprints, and Samay featuring the UK’s leading Indian classical saxophonist Jesse Bannister, as well as saxophonists appearing in several other bands.
Other events not to be missed include the first visit to The Venue by Norwegian trumpeter and ECM artist Nils Petter Molvaer, and an appearance by former Leeds College of Music tutor Mike Walker’s Sextet. With further concerts promoted by Leeds International Concert Season and SAA-uk, we hope there will be something for you here and we look forward to welcoming you to The Venue in 2010.
Andy Scott – Naked Footprints
The Dave Hassell-Andy Scott Duo, comprising tenor saxophonist Andy Scott and percussionist Dave Hassell, recently undertook an adventurous collaboration with Mexican percussionist Evaristo Aguilar and photographer William Ellis. Travelling deep into the Mexican rainforest, the quartet embarked on a journey that would take them to Las Pozas, home to the late English eccentric and surrealist architect, Edward James.
The group spent several days playing and recording in the beautiful and dangerous surroundings of Las Pozas, described as a “surreal Eden”, with its soaring edifices of coloured concrete, enormous sculptures of hands, serpents and exotic flowers, and grand parapets in the sky. They then returned to Tampico to record the CD Naked Footprints, featuring musical improvisations based on the different sculptures. The group is reforming specially for this UK tour, and the concert will feature music from the CD accompanied by projected images of Las Pozas.
Frøy Aagre
Frøy Aagre – saxophone
Andreas Ulvo – piano
Audun Ellingsen – bass
Freddy Wike – drums
Alex Fiennes – sound
Following last year’s sell-out performances at the London Jazz Festival, critically acclaimed Norwegian saxophonist Frøy Aagre returns to this country for her second UK tour. Frøy Aagre, an emerging star on the European jazz scene who has also toured Scandinavia, the USA, Australia, Canada and Japan, is best known for her powerful compositions and individual style of lyrical Nordic jazz. She plays bright, beautifully melodic tunes, full of atmosphere, which blur the boundaries between composition and improvisation.
Her group features some of the finest young musicians on the Norwegian Jazz Scene, including Leeds College of Music alumnus Audun Ellingsen on bass, and “truly functions as a band, each member playing off one other and, above all, serving the songs.” (AllAboutJazz, US). Her second CD Countryside was rated as one of the top ten albums of 2007 by one of Norway’s leading newspapers. Recently signed by ACT Records, her third album Cycle of Silence will be released in early 2010.
Nils Petter Molvaer
Nils Petter Molvaer – trumpet
Eivind Aarset – guitar
Audun Kleive – drums
Nils Petter Molvær, Norwegian trumpet player, composer and producer, has gained a reputation as one of Norway’s emerging new talents and an innovator in European jazz. He takes multiple music styles – jazz, ambient, house, electronic and break beats, as well as elements from hip hop, rock and pop music – and effortlessly reshapes them into unique and dramatic soundscapes of deep intensity. His individual trumpet sound sets him apart from other players, and the band’s sound is equally distinctive.
They will play music from their new album, Hamada, released in 2009 and dedicated to planet earth and its natural wonders. On this album Nils Petter Molvaer takes his musical approach to the next level, transporting the listener into his particular sound world and conjuring up strong visual images. It is his darkest album to date, with tracks where he and his fellow musicians Eivind Aarset and Audun Kleive leave the paths of ambient, electronica and improvisation and get the axe out to poach in the fields of indie and 70s prog-rock, before they cool it down to end the album on a more conciliatory note.
Gwilym Simcock Trio
Gwilym Simcock – piano
James Maddren – drums
Yuri Goloubev – bass
Gwilym Simcock is one of the most gifted pianists and imaginative composers on the British scene. Although principally a jazz artist, Gwilym is breaking new ground between genres and has the ability to move effortlessly between jazz and classical music. His music has been widely acclaimed as ‘engaging, exciting, often unexpected, melodically enthralling, complex and wonderfully optimistic’. A multi-award winning artist, Gwilym Simcock was voted Jazz Musician of the Year at the 2007 Parliamentary Jazz Awards, and his debut album Perception was nominated for Best Album in the BBC Jazz Awards 2008.
Gwilym Simcock’s second album Blues Vignette was recently released by Basho Records. The new double album introduces his new trio featuring extraordinary classically trained Russian bassist Yuri Goloubev and young UK drum star James Maddren as well as documenting Gwilym’s emerging voice as a solo pianist. It offers a mix of stunning improvisations and new original compositions as well as imaginative interpretations of existing works.
Monty Adkins
Monty Adkins is a composer, performer, and lecturer of experimental electronic music and audio art. He has created installations, concert and audio-visual works, and a number of collaborations with contemporary dance. He has been commissioned by Ina-GRM, IRCAM, BBC Radio 3, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, SpACE-Net and Sonic Arts Network, among others, and he has been awarded over 20 international prizes including the Stockholm Electronic Arts Award (Sweden), Grand Prize at Musica Nova (Prague, Czech Republic), and five prizes at the Bourges International Electroacoustic Music Competition (France).
Centre-Line
Russell van den Berg – saxophone and EWI
Darren Altman – drums
Jez Franks – guitar
Simon Colam – piano
Jon Harvey – bass
Centre-Line is a fresh, vibrant and creative jazz group that prides itself on the spontaneity, creativity and empathy among its musicians. It was established by Leeds College of Music alumni Russell van den Berg and Darren Altman in 2006, bringing together the talents of the multi-award winning saxophonist and ex-NYJO drummer with those of fellow alumnus and fearless guitarist Jez Franks, creative pianist Simon Colam and the ever-grooving bassist Jon Harvey. The musicians fuse their own diverse influences of jazz, funk and classical music to form a dynamic ensemble that strives to create new ways of navigating its music, with an instinctive collective consciousness that has the freedom to change and adapt.
Playing their original music from an ever growing repertoire, the musicians continually stretch their improvisation and interaction. With arrangements reflecting contrasting moods and timbres utilising the group’s acoustic and electronic soundscapes, Centre-Line’s strong and individual ensemble sound delivers a dynamic, empathetic performance through their driven integrity, from high energy to the subtle. Their debut album Centre Line has recently been released.
“Classy contemporary jazz with a personal stamp” John Fordham, The Guardian
George Garzone Trio
George Garzone – saxophone
Pete Zimmer – Drums
Michael Janisch – Bass
George Garzone is one of the most respected and revered saxophonists in the world, an opinion shared by fans and fellow musicians alike. He is a true pioneer in his work as a player, improviser, conceptualist and educator. He is a founder member of The Fringe, a jazz trio with bassist John Lockwood and drummer Bob Gullotti that has been exploring groundbreaking improvisations from classic jazz formats to the avant garde since the early ‘70s. A veteran jazzman, George Garzone has appeared on dozens of recordings with some of the world’s most notable jazz musicians.
The trio line-up for this evening’s concert is completed by Pete Zimmer, a gifted and articulate drummer, composer and educator, and bassist and bandleader Michael Janisch, a prominent newcomer on the international jazz scene. The trio will play music centered around George’s compositions and improvisation, both traditional and contemporary.
“I’m not the master of the sax, George Garzone is.” Michael Brecker
Endellion String Quartet
Andrew Watkinson – violin
Ralph de Souza – violin
Garfield Jackson – viola
David Waterman – ‘cello
The Endellion is renowned as one of the finest quartets in the world. Over the years, its schedule has included regular tours of North and South America and concerts in Australasia, the Far East, the Middle East, South Africa and every West European country. Everywhere, the Endellion String Quartet ‘sets the audience ablaze’ (Daily Telegraph) and ‘captivates concertgoers with a remarkable rapport, playing to each other with a sense almost of discovery, communicating to the audience on a level of unusual intimacy’ (Guardian). The Endellion String Quartet began its residency at The Venue in 2004 and celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2009.
Tuesday 27 April
Haydn String Quartet No 61, Opus 76 No 2
Schubert String Quartet No 13
Janacek String Quartet No 2
Tuesday 18 May
Haydn String Quartet No 60, Opus 76 No 1
Beethoven String Quartet No 11
Mendelssohn String Quartet No 2
Tuesday 8 June: Mozart String Quartet No 15
Bartok String Quartet No 5
Haydn String Quartet No 65, Opus 76 No 6
Tuesday 29 June
Haydn String Quartet No 31, Opus 33 No 1
Britten String Quartet No 1
Beethoven String Quartet No 13
‘It is not only the brilliance, intensity and coherence of their interpretation which engages and impresses the listener, but also their absolutely individual rhythmic, vibrant and thoughtful approach.’ Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Led Bib
Relentlessly dodging definition, Led Bib is both a maverick jazz band and an unlikely rock quintet. One of the original torch bearers for the revitalized young British jazz scene, Led Bib has been described as ‘the future of jazz’ by The Times and ‘like a gale of fresh air’ by The Guardian and has been compared with everyone from Sun Ra and Queens of the Stone Age to Ornette Coleman and Metallica. Their fourth album Sensible Shoes was a Barclaycard Mercury Prize album of the year in 2009, and the band has recently signed a medial deal with Faber Music Media for film and TV licensing.
The group, formed in 2003 by drummer/composer and Leeds College of Music alumnus Mark Holub, has rocketed into the public consciousness in a swirl of critical acclaim, high profile shows, awards and a growing audience base, won over by their electric live sets. The line-up is completed by Liran Donin on electric and stand up bass, Toby McLaren playing Rhodes and piano and Chris Williams and Pete Grogan up front as the two duelling alto sax players. Their individual references peer out through the likes of Metallica-like riffs and Northern Soul licks to New York influenced improvisation.
“an explosive tour de force of ensemble intelligence” The Independent
Samay
Samay is a young and talented international collective that combines traditional forms with a range of contemporary influences to reinvent the sound of Indian music. Jazz, flamenco, samba, funk and chill-out are effortlessly blended to create powerful and dynamic arrangements. Samay’s first album Songs for a Global Journey was released in 2008 and features highly developed melodies, fierce improvisation and driving grooves.
Samay includes three Leeds College of Music alumni – Jesse Bannister, the leading Indian Classical Saxophonist in the UK, talented tabla player Bhupinder Chaggar, and multi-talented Italian born guitarist Giuliano Modarelli. The band is completed by sarod player Soumik Datta, a rising star in contemporary Indian classical music, and Kenny Higgins, a versatile bass guitarist. The group makes a welcome return to The Venue following its highly acclaimed performance in FuseLeeds09.
“Samay are in the vanguard of the Indo Jazz resurgence.” Fredrick Bernas, Jazzwise
A Tribute to Atlantic Jazz
A Tribute to Atlantic Jazz is a new ensemble put together by saxophonists and Leeds College of Music alumni James Russell and Jim Corry to pay tribute to the record label that in the 1960s and early 70s embraced the period of ‘soul jazz’, and with it a new generation of jazz musicians emerging at this time. The ensemble sets out to honour the many lesser known musicians who played in the Ray Charles band and the musical legacy they left, bringing their unique style of jazz to a wider audience. It will perform several of their arrangements alongside some original material in a swinging, soulful programme with an instinctive, emotional appeal.
Jim Corry has toured and played with Corinne Bailey Rae, Haggis Horns, Mark Ronson and Daniel Merriweather. A published pop songwriter, composer, performer and producer, James Russell regularly performs with The Rat Pack, The Al Wood Big Band, Roy Wood’s Rock & Roll Band and The Cat Pack. The line-up also includes local saxophone legend Stuart McDonald, versatile pianist Andy Cholerton and popular drummer Chris Sykes, as well as fellow Leeds College of Music alumni Steve Parry and Richard Hammond on trumpet and bass respectively.
LCM Contemporary Jazz Orchestra
Top vocalist Christine Tobin and internationally renowned guitarist Phil Robson join the College’s Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, directed by Leeds College of Music jazz tutor Mark Donlon, for this evening’s concert. The programme will include special arrangements of Leonard Cohen Songs by Jorg Keller and Maria Schneider’s Three Romances, a dance based suite inspired by Brazilian choro music, a ballet duet and a smooth foxtrot.
Dublin born singer-songwriter Christine Tobin has gained a reputation as one of the most innovative and versatile artists on the jazz scene. Her style draws on a broad range of influences and her sound is rich and deeply expressive. She has been described as the Björk of Euro jazz, and was named Best Vocalist in the BBC Jazz Awards 2008. Phil Robson is a guitarist and composer based in London. He is internationally regarded as a highly versatile and creative player who appears in all kinds of diverse settings as well as being a superb bandleader. He was winner of ‘Best Jazz Musician of the Year’ in the 2009 Parliamentary Jazz Awards.
Simon Lindley
Simon Lindley has pursued parallel careers as an organist, accompanist, composer and author as well as a conductor and choral music director. In addition to his role with the College’s Community Choral Society, he is Music Director of St Peter’s Singers and the world renowned Leeds Parish Church Choir, and conductor of the Overgate Hospice Choir in Halifax and Sheffield Bach Society. He is also Organist of Leeds Parish Church and Leeds Town Hall, and Senior Assistant Music Officer for Leeds City Council.
David Toop
Operatic sketches and haunted spaces – a solo concert for laptop, flutes and guitar, drawing on recent work in digital improvisation and opera composition.
This solo performance by the musician and polymath David Toop is presented as part of the College’s Forum for Innovation in Music Production and Composition (FIMPaC) conference. FIMPaC is an annual event that provides an opportunity for leading composers, producers, technologists and musicologists to exchange innovative ideas and concepts relating to the production, development, teaching and dissemination of Music Composition and Music Production.
David Toop is a musician/composer, author and curator. As a musician he has released eight solo albums, improvised as a guitarist and flautist, collaborated with many musicians and other artists, given solo performances internationally and appeared on Top Of The Pops. His compositions and sound works have been exhibited internationally, and he has curated exhibitions including Sonic Boom, the UK’s largest ever exhibition of sound art, in 2000. He has published four books, currently translated into seven languages, and as a critic and essayist he has written for many publications, including The Wire, The Face and The Times.
Mike Walker Sextet – Madhouse and The Whole Thing There
Mike Walker – guitar
Iain Dixon – saxes
Steve Watts – bass
Pat Illingworth – drums
Les Chisnall – piano
Malcolm Edmonstone – keys
Salford born guitar player Mike Walker has played and recorded with the legendary George Russell, Peter Erskine, Steve Swallow, Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor and performed with Dave Holland, Tal Farlow, Vince Mendoza, Anthony Braxton, Bill Frisell and many others. He plays regularly in the UK, Europe and around the world as well as teaching at the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts and privately, and is the co-director for a number of jazz workshops held at The Music Place.
Mike Walker recently released his first album under his own name, Madhouse and the Whole Thing There, featuring the members of his band Brazil Nuts, plus strings, French horn, piano, brass section and vocals. Mike says “This album is about dissonance masked by consonance, and having clear statements despite the density. I wanted the harmony to be supported by the melody. I wanted the rhythm and bar lengths to feel completely natural, even though they’re not. I wanted it to be singable, and street-walk whistleable.”
LCM Symphony Orchestra
Stars of Opera North Mary Plazas and Paul Nilon join the College’s Community Symphony Orchestra in this all-Tchaikovsky programme. The concert starts with the dramatic Entr’acte and Waltz from his lyric opera Eugene Onegin, followed by two of the most popular arias from the same work. The evening is rounded off with a performance of the popular Symphony No.6, his final and what he considered to be his best symphony, and of which he led the first performance just nine days before his death in 1893.
Mary Plazas is one of the UK’s leading sopranos. She has sung many lead roles for ENO, Opera North and others and has featured on several recordings. She has also given many recitals and concerts including solo recitals at the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, and the Karajan Centre in Vienna and has performed at many of the UK’s most prestigious music festivals. Leading tenor Paul Nilon has enjoyed great success in recent seasons. He has appeared in many opera performances and concerts both in the UK and internationally and has featured on recordings for Opera Rara. In 2009/10 he will sing the title role in a new production of Idomeneo for ENO.
LCM Symphony Orchestra
The Community Symphony Orchestra returns for its second concert of the season, this time with prizewinning student cellist David Hornberger as soloist in the ever popular Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto. The evening will begin with the turbulent Tragic Overture by Brahms, and the programme will be completed by Schubert’s majestic final symphony. The concert will be conducted by Leeds College of Music tutor John Anderson.
David Hornberger is a third year student on the BA Music course at Leeds College of Music and winner of the Joseph Stones Scholarship in both 2008 and 2009 and the Fred and Ethel Tolson Memorial Prize for Strings in 2009. He is a member of Appassionato, a busy string quartet which recently performed at the College’s Graduation Ceremony at Leeds Town Hall.
Jiannis Pavlidis Trio with Dave Liebman
This is a return visit to The Venue by top American saxophonist Dave Liebman, for a double bill teaming up with the College’s Contemporary Jazz Orchestra and the Jiannis Pavlidis Trio. The first half of the concert will be a performance of the famous Miles Davis and Gil Evans album Sketches of Spain, based on Rodrigo’s Concerto de Aranjuez in a groundbreaking fusion of jazz and classical genres. Dave Liebman has been featured on nearly 300 recordings, as leader or co-leader on over 100, and his artistic output has ranged from straight ahead classic jazz to chamber music; from fusion to avant garde and world music.
Jiannis Pavlidis has previously recorded with Dave Liebman, and this is the second time that his trio will be collaborating with the great saxophonist. Their set will include both reharmonised standards and original contemporary jazz compositions, approached from an ‘open improvisation’ angle. The trio comprises Jiannis Pavlidis on guitar, Jamil Sheriff on Fender Rhodes and drummer Eddie Hick.
“Liebman is one of the most important saxophonists in contemporary music…a leader and artist of integrity and independent direction.” – Downbeat Magazine
Omar Puente
Omar Puente was born in Cuba and studied classical music and violin, progressing to the National Symphony Orchestra, while simultaneously learning Latin jazz. He toured internationally with the Cuban Boys, taking Cuban music to the world before relocating to Yorkshire. Omar released his debut album under his own name, From There to Here, in 2009, reflecting influences from Latin America to the Far East, Africa and American jazz.
Pete Beachill
One of London’s leading trombonists, Leeds College of Music alumnus Pete Beachill has recorded and toured with many top artists and has played on countless film and television soundtracks, performing in a diverse range of styles – from playing with Gil Evans to appearances with the Black Dyke Mills Band. Pete has also appeared as principal trombone with many leading orchestras and various chamber groups.
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