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The Be-Bop Club The Bear, Hotwell Road, Bristol. BS8 4SF |
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What’s On Doors open 8.30pm for 9pm start. |
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Archive - previous programmes |
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Fri 10th Feb |
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Cathy Jones’ Balanca |
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£7.00/6.00 |
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Cathy Jones' Brazilian quintet Balanca features Cathy on vocals and percussion, Kevin Figes - flute/sax, Tristram Cox - guitar , Thad Kelly - bass and Mark Whitlam - drums, performing classic Brazilian repertoire including music from contemporary Brazilian artists such as Hermeto Pascoal and Joyce, plus some of Cathy's own arrangements and compositions. Treat yourself to a bit of winter sunshine. |
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Fri 17th Feb |
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Centre-Line |
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£8.00/7.00 |
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Centre-Line are a fantastic London based band visiting as part of a national tour to promote new CD A Virtual Joyride. Formed by drummer Darren Altman and saxophonist Russell van den Berg, Darren drums for the Ronnie Scott house band, and has played with legendary African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, The Pop Idol Big Band and performs on many film and TV soundtracks. Russell is an award winning saxophonist who has worked with trumpeters Kenny Wheeler & Steve Waterman and teaches at Trinity College of Music. On guitar is the fabulous Jez Franks, who has played for us before in Compassionate Dictatorship and tutored on the Music For You Summer School, and on bass the very groovy Jon Harvey. Don’t miss this one. See www.centrelinemusic.com |
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Fri 24th Feb |
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Jake McMurchie’s Two Trios |
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£6.00/5.00 |
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As the only member of Get The Blessing under six foot tall, Jake has spent years literally in the shadow of the BBC jazz award-winning trailblazers. But tonight he steps into the limelight as leader to showcase two new collaborations with the best of the latest generation of gifted Bristol jazz musicians. The first trio features Bristol born vocalist Emily Wright, described by The Telegraph as part of a "rising generation of female stars", and the fantastically talented double bass of Will Harris. Atmospheric renditions of unusual standards rub shoulders with beautiful tunes by Kenny Wheeler, Nick Drake and Edith Piaf. Beguiling, intriguing and always uplifting. The second trio is instrumental, again with Will but this time with the inventive Mark Whitlam on drums, for the premiere performance of a set of Jake's distinctive compositions. Sometimes hypnotic, occasionally moving and always tuneful. |
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Fri 9th March |
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JJ Wheeler Quintet |
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£8.00/7.00 |
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Every now and again the club is sent a CD which really stands out from the crowd. JJ Wheeler is a superb drummer and composer currently on the Royal Academy’s post-grad course, and the quintet are rapidly making their mark on the UK Jazz Scene. Performances so far include Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2010, Swanage Festival 2011 and airplay on BBC Radio 3, leading to high praise from world-renowned jazz musicians including Jeff Ballard and Dave Holland. The excellent twin sax front-line of Chris Maddock - alto and Nadim Teimoori - tenor have drawn comparisons to albums by David Binney & Chris Potter. The group is completed by Ralph Brown - piano and Tom Moore - bass. “One of the UK’s hottest jazz acts!” – Metro. See www.jjwheeler.co.uk and you’ll find plenty of clips on youtube. |
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Fri 16th March |
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Mat Sibley Quartet |
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£6.00/5.00 |
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Mat Sibley is a ferocious tenor saxophonist, who although resident in Bristol has spent much of his time touring round the country with various groups and so has not played at the Be-Bop for quite a while. He’s joined by brilliant guitarist Andy Christie, with whom he has worked for many years in the legendary funk and weird grooves band Code Red, plus Andy Nowak - keyboards & Eddie John - drums for a program of tunes by Brecker, Stern, Berg, Metheny etc and a few originals. |
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Fri 3rd March |
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Jim Snidero |
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£10.00/9.00 |
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It’s a privilege for the Club to welcome a genuine New York A-lister, alto saxophonist Jim Snidero - as far as we know this is only performance outside London on this rare UK visit. He appears on numerous CDs both as leader and sideman alongside names such as Tom Harrell, Brian Lynch, Kenny Kirkland, Mulgrew Miller, Larry Goldings, Peter Washington, Jeff Tain Watts, Marvin Smitty Smith and many more. He’s also played with Frank Sinatra, The Mingus Big Band and Eddie Palmieri, and is author of the Jazz Conception books published by Advance Music. Downbeat magazine has described him as an “alto sax virtuoso” and “master musician.” He’s accompanied by Jim Blomfield - piano, Will Harris - bass & Andy Hague - drums. See www.jimsnidero.com |
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Fri 23rd March |
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Asaf Sirkis Trio |
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£8.00/7.00 |
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“Since arriving in London from Israel at the end of the ‘90s, Asaf Sirkis has earned a reputation as one of the world’s premier drummers” - All About Jazz. He’s also a fine composer, and we’re delighted to present him with his trio featuring Greek guitarist Tassos Spiliotopoulos and Patrick Bettison on bass. The trio has released two acclaimed CDs, The Monk & Letting Go, which have drawn comparisons with the work of Bill Frisell, John Scofield and John McLaughlin. Moments when the players’ virtuosity shines through are contrasted nicely with dark dreamy melodies and ambient textures. This gig is part of an extensive European tour, and we’re very lucky they’re able to join us in such a small venue. See www.asafsirkis.co.uk or google for numerous reviews and youtube clips. |
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Fri 30th March |
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Pedal Mania |
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£6.00/5.00 |
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Pedal Mania is centred around the amazing Hammond organ playing of John-Paul Gard, one of the few exponents around to use the bass pedals. Ben Waghorn fronts on alto and tenor saxes - Ben has been getting some well deserved national recognition recently for his work with Dave Stapleton, Keith Tippett and Geoff Eales. Check out Geoff Eales’ latest album Shifting Sands, in which Ben plays in an all-star cast including Asaf Sirkis and ex-Billy Cobham guitarist Carl Orr. The group is completed by the impeccable grooves of Eddie John on drums for a set of originals and Hammond classics.
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Fri 6th April |
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Chris Biscoe Quintet play Mingus |
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£8.00/7.00 |
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Chris Biscoe is one of the UK’s finest alto sax players, who has long associations with legends such as Mike Westbrook and Harry Beckett. More recently Chris has been examining the music of Charles Mingus, releasing the CD Profiles of Mingus in 2010 with an all-star cast including trumpeter Henry Lowther. For tonight Chris is bringing some of his Mingus arrangements to play alongside Nick Malcolm - trumpet, Jim Blomfield - piano, Greg Cordez - bass and Mark Whitlam - drums. The last gig Chris did for us in May 2011 was brilliant, so don’t miss. To check out his extensive and impressive discography visit www.chrisbiscoe.co.uk |
