Here are some of Scotland’s top Jazz musicians, although it is far from a definitive list of the amazing talent that Scotland has to offer. Please visit our Soundcloud site to hear some the the fantastic music being produced. www.soundcloud.com/jazz-from-scotland
The Alyn Cosker Group
The Alyn Cosker Group features the outstanding talents of pianist Steve Hamilton (Billy Cobham, Bill Bruford), guitarist Davie Dunsmuir (Maggie Reilly) and electric bass player Colin Cunningham (Hue and Cry). The band perform tracks from the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra drummers critically acclaimed album ‘Lyn’s Une’ along with the debut of some new compositions. The music conveys Alyn’s love of artists such as Sting, Peter Gabriel, Steely Dan, Jaco Pastorius, celtic music star Michael McGoldrick, in a groove based electric band with challenging yet accessible time signatures.
Bancroft & Lyne
In the setting of voice, bass and guitar, Sophie Bancroft and Tom Lyne create a dynamic, entertaining and intimate interpretation of beautiful songs. Their repertoire includes Sophie’s original folk-inflected jazz songs, informed by both the vibrant Scottish jazz scene and the rich traditional music culture in which she has grown up, stunning jazz standards and songs from other genres which invite the jazz treatment, including songs by the Bard himself, Robbie Burns, and the likes of Dolly Parton. Recent performance highlights include the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival in New York where they were heralded as a ‘must see’ act.
“Brave, bright and engaging throughout and much easier to tour than a big band, with no lack of presence.” Jazz Journal
“Stripped-down, intimate, warm and inviting jazz” Democrat & Chronicle
“Hip, cool and simply beautiful.” Big Issue
www.bancroftlyne.com
Brass Jaw
Working without a traditional rhythm section, Brass Jaw creates a performance that is truly unique in sound and direction, revealing a group that is able to adapt to almost any performance environment. Brass Jaw’s concerts are characterised by the band’s trademark momentum, drive and charisma, in a set that strongly embraces the jazz tradition whilst reaching out into the unknown towards new musical territory. The group first toured the UK in 2005, subsequently releasing their first album ‘Burn’ which launched the group on to the UK and European festival circuit. Since then, Brass Jaw’s notoriety for providing a unique and engaging live music experience has grown rapidly, proving themselves a hit at festivals across the world including London Jazz Festival, Rochester Jazz Festival (USA), North Sea Jazz Festival (Holland), Jazz a Juan (France), European Culture Festival (Algeria), Vossa Jazz (Norway), Saxophonia (Latvia), Jazzkaar (Estonia), Jazzahead (Bremen) and many others.
www.artistecard.com/brassjaw
Brian Molley Quartet
Brian Molley was one of Jazzwise Magazine’s ‘who to look out for 2014’, the acclaimed Scottish saxophonist with his outstanding quartet.
‘Molley’s tenor tone is gorgeous’ – AllAboutJazz
‘Strikingly good – a minor masterpiece’ – LondonJazz
‘His rich sonority is always impressive’ – Scotsman
‘Tremendous music, a cracking Scottish jazz talent’ – BBCJazzHouse
www.brianmolley.co.uk
Brodie Jarvie
Brodie studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland under the tutelage of Mario Caribe, Julian Arguelles and Tommy Smith.
During his studies, he was in an demand bass player in the UK jazz scene which led to projects with Edinburgh Jazz Festival and Oslo Jazz Festival in 2012 which allowed Brodie and two other Scottish jazz musicians to travel to Oslo and perform original music with three Norwegian musicians. He was also involved in a short tour around the United States playing with Trio Red, where they played at the renowned Rochester Jazz Festival in 2015.
Brodie now lives in Amsterdam where he studies a masters degree at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam where he has had the opportunity to learn and play with some of the leading Jazz musicians active today, such as Frans van der Hoeven, Dick Oatts, Jasper Blom and Yaniv Nachum.
www.soundcloud.com/brodiejarviemusic
Calum Gourlay
London-based double bassist and composer Calum Gourlay is known for his deep warm tone, controlled execution as both a supporter and improviser, and rock solid time and pulse. Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1986, he began his musical journey playing the cello in primary school and by the age of fourteen started the double bass, having developed a serious interest in jazz and improvised music. Gourlay’s talents were noticed by many of Scotland’s premier artists, and as a result he became the first bassist selected for the then ‘brand new’ Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra as well as other ensembles.
In 2004 he started at the Royal Academy of Music in London and graduated with first class honors with a B.Mus. (jazz) degree in 2008.
www.facebook.com/calumgourlay
Corrie Dick
Corrie Dick is a musician celebrated for his fluency, gritty sound and euphoric abandon on the drum kit. In recent years he has caused a stir in the UK and European jazz scene with his prolific and diverse activity, touring with Dutch sax tyro Maarten Hogenhuis, Azeri pianist Isfar Sarabski and trumpet sensation Laura Jurd’s ‘Dinosaur’ and ‘Human Spirit’. His critically-acclaimed debut album ‘Impossible Things’ displays his flair as composer/lyricist, triumphantly uniting Celtic folk and jazz with African influences.
Having won BBC’s “Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year” in 2013, Corrie has honed his musicianship within the renowned Chaos Collective – an organisation & label founded by Corrie alongside his closest collaborators; BBC New Generation artist Laura Jurd and European Jazz Artist of the Year Elliot Galvin. He is a crucial element in prog-jazz outfit Blue-Eyed Hawk as well as ‘Qualia’, the new project of Phronesis’ Jasper Høiby. The young master of contemporary grooves has studied traditional music in Ghana & Morocco where the rhythm is rich and layered, and also in his home land, Scotland, where rhythm and melody have melded for centuries. Corrie is an original, open-minded questing talent who is destined to make a very important musical mark in coming years.
www.corriedick.com
Declan Forde
Declan Forde was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1992. In 2014, after completing his Bachelor studies at Leeds College of Music he relocated to Berlin and has since established himself as one of the most in demand pianists on the Jazz and Improvised Music scenes there.
He is currently the recipient of the Yorkshire Live Music Project Bursary (2014-2016) and was a finalist in the Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year 2015. In Berlin Forde plays regularly with The Far East Trio and James Banner’s Eleven as well as Declan Forde’s SPROGGITS – who will release their debut album later this year on U.K. label New Jazz Records.
“Impudent, benign hooliganism.” – Rob Adams, The Herald
“Prodigiously talented.” – Bebop Spoken Here
www.declanfordemusic.com
Deke McGee
With the authentic sound of the Saxophone led Swing bands of the 40s and 50s, Glasgow based Quartet ‘The Deke McGee Band’ perform their own brand of soulful Rhythm n’ Blues and Texas Tenor Saxophone to bring the music into the 21st Century.
Led by Mark ‘Deke’ McGee on Saxophones, Michael Kelly on Piano, Sam Firth on Bass and Andy Cowie on Drums, they play an uplifting mixture of Blues, Swing, Gospel and Soul music.
As individuals the band have played with and shared the stage alongside International Artists such as Buddy Guy, Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh, Hamish Stuart, Bill Wyman and his Rhythm Kings, Zoot Money and many others…as well as Homegrown Artists such as The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, The Fratellis, Das Contras and The Nimmo Brothers.
As Sidemen they have performed all over the world at Jazz and Blues Festivals in Montreal, Toronto, Paris, Brussels, Antwerp, Berlin, London, Dublin and many other cities.
Always with good time music in mind, they aim their show at the audiences feet.
www.dekemcgee.co.uk
The Elusive Tree Ensemble
The Elusive Tree Ensemble members, Doug Hough, Andy Baker, Adam Jackson, Phil Cardwell ,Ben MacDonald and Paul Harrison are a collective of Scotland’s finest up and coming jazz musicians, showcasing exciting talent in performance and composition. This 6-piece ensemble explores the full spectrum of sound, demonstrating what The Herald called “a superb variety of moods, energy levels, grooves and arrangement ideas”.
www.facebook.com/ELUSIVETREE
Euan Burton & Occurrences
Award-winning Scottish double bassist and composer Euan Burton launched his second album ‘Too Much Love’ last November on Whirlwind Recordings following on from his acclaimed suite Occurrences.
As a composer, Burton marries a wonderful blend of beautiful melodies with playful yet tricksy structures that invite the listener into the music. All About Jazz describes how Burton’s “compositions touch on universal feelings and emotions… his band crafts the music with rare delicacy and grace”. This powerful approach has resonated with audiences around the world with recent tours of America, Canada, The UK and Poland. As a bassist, Burton’s playing boasts a beautiful touch and warm tone, and has featured on over twenty recordings including jazz releases featuring the likes of Ari Hoenig, Tom Gibbs and Will Vinson. His quartet features four starts of the Scottish jazz scene in Alyn Cosker (Drums), Tom Gibbs (Piano) and Adam Jackson (Alto Saxophone).
www.euanburton.com
Fat-Suit
Selected as “Ones to Watch 2015” by Jazzwise Magazine Fat-Suit is a 13 piece collective featuring young musicians from all over Scotland, as well as India and Finland, and their music reflects this diversity. As a group they draw upon elements of Jazz, Celtic Folk, Rock, Hip-Hop, Balkan Folk and much more while their core aim is to find a middle ground where all of these elements can be combined in an accessible and musically satisfying way. Last summer Fat-Suit embarked on their first European Tour, travelling across Holland, Germany, Czech Rep, Poland, Western Ukraine and Hungary while recent appearances on BBC One, BBC Radio Scotland and STV have afforded the collective a growing public profile in Scotland. Having just released second album ‘Jugaad’ to much critical acclaim, Fat-Suit are already in the process of booking album #3.
“a veritable Mardi Gras” – The Herald
www.fat-suit.co.uk
Federation of the Disco Pimp
Providing unstoppable grooves since 2010, Federation of the Disco Pimp are Scotland’s premier exponent of modern funk. Combining elements of Old-School Funk, Disco, Psychedelic and Jazz, this 7-piece band of Scots are legendary for their endless energy and blistering live sets.
Championed by funk legend Craig Charles (BBC6), Stephen Duffy (Jazz House BBC Radio Scotland) and Jazz Fm, FOTDP have gained a solid reputation in the UK funk scene resulting in further live performances supporting Craig Charles across the UK.
2014 saw FOTDP being resident house band on BBCOne’s ‘Tonight at the Games’ for 10 nights during the Commonwealth games, featuring on BBCThree every night during the games to close their coverage, House band for a special on BBC2’s ‘Newsnight’ live from the Fringe as well as live in-studio sessions on BBC6’s ‘Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show’ & BBCRadio Scotland’s ‘Jazz House’ to name a few highlights.
www.fotdp.com
Fergus McCreadie
Fergus McCreadie is one of Scotland’s most exciting young artists. He showed aptitude for music at an early age, and at twelve years old had set himself on a career in music. By the age of 15, Fergus had already won the U17s Young Scottish Jazz Musician award 2013, and went on to win it a second time the next year, the only time this feat has been achieved. For three years in a row, Fergus has been repeatedly selected to compete in the overall final of the Young Scottish Jazz Musician award, coming second in 2015. Fergus currently studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on a full scholarship, where he is taught by Paul Harrison. He has performed at the Edinburgh and Glasgow jazz festivals, and has been featured alongside musicians such as Bob Mintzer and Tommy Smith. He performs regularly with his own trio with David Bowden and Stephen Henderson, and is high in demand in Glasgow as a sideman.
www.fergusmccreadie.co.uk
Fraser Fifield & Graeme Stephen
Multi-instrumentalist Fraser Fifield and guitarist Graeme Stephen celebrate 17 years of musical adventures with the release of their first duo album ‘Esotero’ and a series of live performances. Having developed something of a telepathic understanding, their performances always take audiences on a journey particular to the day, blending influences from Scottish traditional music, Jazz, and a host of other-wordly sounds to make their own truly unique music.
www.fraserfifield.com / www.graemestephen.com
Gabriel Wareing
Glasgow based Jazz guitarist Gabriel Wareing has spent time studying and performing throughout the UK. Gabriel first began playing Jazz at Birmingham Conservatoire through their juniors program. Before moving to Scotland Gabriel performed as a part of The Midlands Youth Jazz Orchestra, often as a featured soloist.
In 2013 Gabriel went on to continue his studies with the Jazz BMus program at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Whilst at the Conservatoire Gabriel had one-to-one tuition with Martin Taylor as well studying with Brandford Marsalis, Makote Ozone, Bob Mintzer and many other world famous musicians.
In recent years Gabriel has dedicated his time to developing the craft of composition, releasing his debut album ‘The Dawning’ in July 2015. Striving to find his own unique voice, he takes influences not only from Contemporary Jazz artists such as Brad Mehldau and Gilad Hekselman, but also from Rock artists such as Mogwai.
www.gabrielwareing.com
Glasgow Jazz Experiment
Glasgow Jazz Experiment led by Rebecca Vasmant (Ministry Of Sound / Sub Club) & Chris Greive (Scottish National Jazz Orchestra) are a live and studio project combining two worlds : Electronic music and Jazz.
Personnel : Chris Grieve – Trombone & Piano
Lorne Cowieson – Trumpet & Flugelhorn
David Robertson – Percussion
Nikki Foster – Vocals
www.facebook.com/GlasgowJazzExperiment
Glasshopper
Glasshopper is an exciting young trio born out of a love for melody and improvisation. Led by Scottish saxophonist Jonathan Chung, the group brings together the creative minds of guitarist James Kitchman and drummer Corrie Dick.
Influenced by the free, jazz, rock and folk worlds, the band performs Jonathan’s emotionally sophisticated compositions with reverence and abandon, intricately weaving together moments of sonic bliss and euphoric rock-outs. With improvisation at the heart of each performance, Jonathan, Corrie and James are unified in creating original interpretations that inspire fresh stories to unravel within the listener’s imagination…
Glasshopper are set to release their first EP on the 25th May, 2016
www.facebook.com/glasshoppermusic
James Brown is Annie (JBiA)
One of jazz-funk’s most accessible artists, James Brown is Annie (JBiA) met in a piano bar, rehearse next to a sex shop, and take their name from an Eddie Murphy SNL sketch. Their debut album – produced by Average White Band’s Molly Duncan – was released in April 2015, thanks to investment from Creative Scotland.
The Edinburgh-based sextet – regulars on BBC Radio Scotland and at Scotland’s major festivals – performed to 80, Party 2011/2012, and has supported everyone from Average White Band, Little Feat and the Spin Doctors, to Electric 6, Robert Cray Band and Hayseed Dixie, etc.
In May 2015, JBiA make their television debut on STV’s Riverside Show.
“A contender for Album Of The Year” – Daily Record
“One of Scotland’s best bands” – BBC Radio Scotland
“Exceptionally funky” – Jazz FM
www.jbia.co.uk
www.jamesbrownisannie.com
JazzMain
JazzMain is a quartet which has been playing together for 12 years. The lineup is Nick Gould (sax), Steve Grossart (keys), Iain Harkness (bass) and Kevin Dorrian (drums). We play a wide variety of music from ASB to latin and funk. We have a lot of gig and festival experience and play accessibly for a non jazz audience. We are flexible, experienced and professional musicians with a commitment to quality.
www.jazzmain.com
Jonathan Silk
Jonathan Silk is a drummer and composer regularly performing across the UK and Europe. As well as being an in demand musician for many other projects including Birmingham based TROPE, Soweto Kinch and Young Pilgrims to name a few, he is currently working on new music for his own contemporary band. Alongside this, he recently received a grant from the BBC Performing Arts Fund, supporting his Big Band project which is due to release it’s second album on Birmingham’s Stoney Lane Records later this year. He won the BBC Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year competition in 2014 and has since been performing at many of the major UK jazz festivals with his contemporary small band.
www.jonathansilk.co.uk
Kieran McLeod
Kieran McLeod is an award winning jazz trombonist and composer from Aberdeen. He is a current member of the Julian Argüelles Septet, Iain Ballamy’s Anorak XL, Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and the Keith Tippett Octet. Since moving to London, Kieran has graduated from the Royal Academy of Music’s Jazz course and has performed with artists of international fame such as Snarky Puppy, BBC Big Band, Ken Peplowski and Stan Sulzmann. As a bandleader, Kieran is regularly touring the UK with his sextet, ‘New World’ and his 30 piece Big Band, ‘Human Resource System’ who have been described as “possibly THE top band of rising talent on the London scene”. Kieran has recently been touring festivals in Cuba with Nomad Collective and across Europe with both Riot Jazz and Young Pilgrims.
www.kieranmcleod.co.uk
Ken Mathieson’s Classic Jazz Orchestra
The Ken Mathieson Classic Jazz Orchestra is an 8-piece professional band based in Edinburgh whose mission is to explore the fabulously varied back-catalogue of jazz in an informative and entertaining way. Its remit, however, is to re-interpret, not simply replicate, jazz styles covering the period from the early 1900s to about 1980, while still paying respect to the original source material. In short, everything from Jelly Roll Morton to Charles Mingus, a stylistic spread that would be unimaginable but for the versatility and professionalism of CJO’s members, who are among the finest soloists and section players in Europe today.
Their versatility was recognised in the 2009 Scottish Jazz Awards, in which CJO won the Best Band Category, and in Jazz Journal International Magazine’s 2011 Critics Poll in which the band’s CD with Alan Barnes of the music of Benny Carter was nominated for New CD of the Year.
www.classicjazzorchestra.org.uk
Kevin Mackenzie
Kevin Mackenzie lives in Scotland. He has toured extensively and has recorded on many albums in a variety of styles.
His groups have been featured along side guitarist Robben Fords power trio, Bob Berg and Mike Stern, the Crusaders and Seminal Jazz figure Ornette Coleman.
In 2001 Kevin received the prestigious ‘Creative Scotland Award’, which he used to write and record music for his nine-piece band ‘Kevin Mackenzie’s Vital Signs’. The CD gathered great reviews including album of the month in The Observer and CD of the week in The Guardian.
Some musicians he has performed with include Donny McCaslin, Boris Kozlov, Ben Perowsky, Pete King, Benny Carter, Kenny Wheeler, Tommy Smith, Joe Locke, Bobby Wellins, ,Alan Barnes, Jim Mullen, David Berkman, Reid Anderson, Ari Hoenig, Pettre Wettre. Jenna Reid, Alyth McCormack, John McCusker, Fiddlers Bid, Marie Fielding, Maggie Macinness, Sunhoney, Finlay Macdoald Band, Keep It Up, Karen Tweed, Brian Finnegan, Gino Lupari, Loren Stillman, Martin France, Peter Erskine, Randy Brecker , Kurt Elling and many Others.
www.kevinmackenzie.co.uk
Laura MacDonald
Laura Macdonald is one of the U.K’s most prominent women in Jazz. She began playing alto saxophone at the age of sixteen . In 1995 Laura was given a full scholarship to Berklee School of Music in Boston and graduated in 1997. Laura became the first winner of the Scottish Young Jazz Musician of the Year in 1997.In 1998, Laura became lead alto player in the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.
Laura has released 4 c.d’s ‘Laura’ – Spartacus records (2000), “Awakenings’ Spartacus Records (2003, ‘Open Book’ – Imogena Records (2008), ‘Duets’ – Niro Music (2014).2005 saw Laura win a ‘Take Five’ initiative award funded by the Jerwood Foundation. Laura is a prominent composer being nominated twice for the Paul Hamlyn Composition Award and has been commissioned by Creative Scotland (Commonwealth Games, SNJO, London Jazz Festival, PRS, Edinburgh Jazz Festival, Jazz Scotland, The European Jazz Network and the National Youth Jazz Orchestra.
www.lauramacdonald.net
New Focus
Featuring a unique amalgamation of classical string quartet meets jazz quartet plus harp, ‘New Focus’ showcases a cinematic soundscape of through-composed melodies meeting cutting edge improvisation, drawing upon influences from across the musical spectrum.
This hefty nine-piece ensemble excitedly features The Glasgow String Quartet, (comprising some of the finest virtuosos from The Royal Scottish National Orchestra), alongside Stevenson on piano leading the first call drum and bass team of Alyn Cosker (drums) and Michael Janisch (bass), Wiszniewski at the helm on saxophones, and Alina Bzhezhinska on harp. This is music at its resourceful best; borrowing the harmonies and sonorities of the classical world, the tone poetry of Scottish Folk, the directness of pop, and all mixed with the bustling edginess of jazz rhythms and improvisation. Wiszniewski and Stevenson also take New Focus on the road in both duo and quartet format, indeed, this Spring the quartet enjoyed critical acclaim supporting Ravi Coltrane on his UK tour.
www.new-focus.org
Paul Towndrow
Saxophonist Paul Towndrow is best known as a bandleader of ensembles ranging from duo to sextet. He is also one quarter of the in demand horn section four-piece Brass Jaw, and a member of Scotland’s flagship jazz orchestra, The SNJO. Performing professionally since the age of 15, and having spent his formative musical years studying on both sides of the Atlantic, Towndrow has become one the UK’s busiest musicians.
www.paultowndrow.co.uk
Paul Towndrow & Steve Hamilton Duo
Paul Towndrow (Alto Saxophone) and Steve Hamilton (Piano) have collaborated for over 15 years in a range of ensemble projects. In this intimate duo setting, compositions and improvisations are delivered in their purest form, allowing for the equal co-existence of musical architecture and deep space. Influences range broadly from Miles Davis to Debussy, and from early jazz to celtic folksong. They release their debut album together in June Records.
In recent years Paul has been perhaps best known as a founder member of the multi-award winning four-piece horn section Brass Jaw, and as a member of Scotland’s flagship jazz orchestra, The SNJO. He is well established on the UK jazz scene and has toured and recorded with a range of small group projects since 2002, and winning multiple awards at The 2003 World Saxophone Competition. Having spent his formative musical years studying on both sides of the Atlantic, Towndrow has become one the UK’s busiest musicians, touring and performing with a wide range of artists including Benny Golson, Kurt Elling, John Scofield, Branford Marsalis,The Bad Plus, Ben E King,Jack Bruce, Martha Reeves, and others. He has been described in The Guardian as“A turbo-charged amalgam of all your saxophone heroes!”
Steve Hamilton is one of Europe’s most creative and experienced contemporary pianists, most recently touring the world as keyboardist with drumming legend Billy Cobham. His reputation as a piano ‘A-Lister’ is justified through his performances and recordings with Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, Pete King,Sax Appeal, Pee Wee Ellis, Freddie Hubbard, Frank Gambale, Van Morrison and many others.
www.paultowndrow.co.uk
Phil O’Malley’s Threadneedle
Brand new ensemble Threadneedle sees trombonist Phil O’Malley in his inaugural role as bandleader and composer, performing original material alongside Graeme Stephen (guitar), Steve Hamilton (piano), Calum Gourlay (bass) and Alyn Cosker (drums).
Phil recently graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a Masters Degree in Jazz, the first qualification of it’s kind in Scotland, and is to be heard regularly with many award-winning ensembles such as the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, Ken Mathieson’s CJO, and Salsa Celtica. He also leads and co-leads, and composes for, his own small group projects.
questio io
questio io brings together six of the most exciting musicians from Glasgow’s increasingly interconnected folk and jazz scenes, allowing them the freedom to try out a variety of new things in this playfully unconventional line-up. Their debut album ‘Take A Moment Apart’, written by Michael Owers (Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, Young Pilgrims and Brass Jaw), examines multiple sides of some tiny moments that could define a lifetime. Unapologetic nostalgia, empathy and glaring personal weaknesses are all looked at in detail over the course of the album and these subjects are treated with suitable doses of humour, tenderness and rage. However, feelings of warmth and sheer joy are never far away!
questio io are:
Greg Barry – Drums (Elephant Sessions)
Gillian Fleetwood – Scottish Small Harp/Vocals (The Duplets)
Michael Owers – Brass/Keys (SNJO)
Charlie Stewart – Bass (Dosca)
Innes Watson – Guitar (Treacherous Orchestra)
Laura Wilkie – Fiddle (Fat-Suit)
www.questio.io
Rose Room
Scottish Jazz Awards finalists Rose Room have become one of Scotland’s leading ensembles influenced by the Gypsy Jazz genre. Sharing a love of Swing music and the style of the great Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, their “vigorous and vivacious” performances go “down a storm” with any audience as they serve up their 1930s ‘Hot Club’ standards and self-penned originals with virtuosity and panache.
Based in Glasgow, the quartet features award-winning violinist and vocalist Seonaid Aitken (who also plays with the Orchestra of Scottish Opera and Roddy Woomble), guitar maker to the stars Jimmy Moon on double bass, and Danny Kyle Award-winners ‘Swing Guitars’ Tam Gallagher and Tom Watson on rhythm and lead guitars respectively.
Rose Room have recorded three albums to date – The High Life, Am I Blue and Somewhere in Roseland.
“Rose Room swing harder than an elm tree in a force nine English gale…”
– SHETLAND NEWS
www.facebook.com/RoseRoomBandUK
Ryan Quigley
Ryan Quigley is one of the most in demand lead and jazz trumpet players in the UK as well as a highly regarded composer, arranger and educator. Ryan has been involved in many projects involving musicians from around the world including Allan Bergman, The Bad Plus, Tim Garland, George Michael, Eddie Reader, and Justin Currie.
He has also toured the world with bands such as Salsa Celtica, The Unusual Suspects, The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, The RTE Concert Orchestra and The Irish National Symphony Orchestra. Ryan leads and writes for his own bands, quartet, quintet, sextet and big band.
Winner of a Parliamentary Jazz Award, a Scottish Jazz Award and a UK Jazz Services Award.
Scottish National Jazz Orchestra
The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (SNJO) directed by Tommy Smith is everything a modern big band should be; bold, versatile, disciplined, inventive and expressive.
Many great jazz musicians have joined with the SNJO to vividly re-imagine iconic works, break new ground and re-visit timeless jazz classics. In the course of its twenty-year history the SNJO’s special guests have included Gary Burton, Kenny Wheeler, Peter Erskine, Joe Lovano, Arild Andersen, Branford Marsalis, Kurt Elling, Courtney Pine and Makoto Ozone.
These collaborations have celebrated jazz pioneers like Duke Ellington, Miles Davis and John Coltrane, alongside the concomitant commission of new work. The SNJO has also shown that jazz can be eclectic and electric in its treatment of music by Weather Report, Yellowjackets and Steely Dan.
The SNJO discography includes Miles Ahead, Torah, Rhapsody in Blue, Celebration, In the Spirit of Duke, American Adventure, Bobby Wellins’ Culloden Moor Suite and the forthcoming Jeunehomme with Makoto Ozone.
www.snjo.co.uk
Sean Gibbs
Sean Gibbs is a trumpet player and composer from Edinburgh. After growing up playing jazz with various local and national ensembles, he enrolled on the BMus (hons) jazz course at Birmingham Conservatoire aged 18. He is currently in his fourth and final year of the course, having studied with esteemed trumpet players Percy Pursglove and Richard Iles, alongside many international guest artists. Performance highlights to date include gigs at the London, Manchester and Edinburgh Jazz Festivals, Frankfurt’s Jazzkeller and the 2013 and 2014 finals of the Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year competition. Sean has also written numerous works for big band, including an arrangement for the legendary vocalist Norma Winstone. His debut big band album was recorded by the newly formed Birmingham Jazz Orchestra, and is due for release in August 2015.
www.seangibbs.com
Simon Thacker Ritmata
Simon Thacker’s Ritmata is the acclaimed musical laboratory of the visionary Scottish guitar virtuoso, distilling the essence of his pioneering intercultural musical experiences and lifelong absorption in some of the most powerful sounds from across continents and epochs, constantly expanding the expressive means of his unique musical language. Featuring soul stirring improvisation and an emotionally charged compositional style, Simon leads a stellar lineup of some of Europe’s most gifted musicians, consisting of Paul Harrison (piano), Mario Caribe (bass) and Stu Brown (drums/percussion).
As a group, they flit expertly between Middle-Eastern intensity, medieval meditation, Native American affirmation, the limitless expression of Indian ragas and talas, pulsating rhythms from East Africa, the unbridled emotions of flamenco and the celebrations of Sephardic Judaism. Stunning original patterns are woven seamlessly into a new aural fabric, and the outcome sees Simon create his own tradition from his immersion in others.
www.simonthacker.com
Sophie Bancroft with Louis Durra: The Songs Quartet
Featuring Sophie Bancroft on vocals and guitar, award-winning American pianist Louis Durra, Tom Lyne on basses and Stu Brown on drums, the quartet performs Sophie’s original songs, many of which have been inspired by her walks around Scotland, and some beautiful and unexpected covers all arranged with the musical mastery of Louis Durra. Listed in The Heralds Top 50 Albums of 2015 their recent CD ‘Songs’ has received rave reviews.
“Folk-inflected jazz with rootsy warm-heartedness.” Scotsman Weekend Life Magazine
“Nothing short of completely captivating.” FATEA
“Spinning jazz gold from the unlikeliest material “ HERALD
Growing up in Edinburgh’s eclectic music scene and one of the founder members of the Pathhead Music Collective, Sophie’s music draws influences from these experiences and inspirations . Her songs have been on HBO hit TV series Six Feet Under, and recorded by multi award-winning vocalist Liane Carroll with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
www.sophiebancroft.co.uk | www.louisdurra.com
Square One
Square One are a Glasgow-based quartet, known for their free-spirited original music and energised live performances. The music they play alights upon many modern touchstones such as folk, fusion, soulfulness, ECM euro-cool and stylish, straight ahead jazz – yet it is a clear affinity with great melody and an intelligent musical rapport that makes Square One much more than the sum of all these parts. This vibrant four-piece are the proud recipients of the Peter Whittingham Jazz Award 2015 administered by Help Musicians UK for emerging jazz artists. Square One will be releasing their debut album in autumn 2016.
”A soulful and empathetic band with an irresistible charisma – they dominated the room from beat one” – Julian Joseph, BBC Radio 3
www.squareonequartet.com
Stephen Duffy
Vocalist and pianist Stephen Duffy is one of a handful of Scottish artists continuing and developing developing the art of vocal jazz for the 21st century. A passionate authority and advocate for jazz, he is the award winning presenter of BBC Radio’s Jazz House programme.
www.stephenduffyjazz.com
Stu Brown’s Twisted Toons
Stu Brown’s Twisted Toons takes you on an eye-popping ride into the wacky world of cartoon music. The band’s first album, ”Twisted Toons – The Music of Raymond Scott”, was released in 2009 and was one of Mojo magazine’s top 10 jazz albums of that year. Their follow up release, “Twisted Toons Vol. 2 – The Music of Carl Stalling, Scott Bradley and more…” (released 24th June 2016) is a tribute to cartoon composers, Carl Stalling and Scott Bradley and includes several complete cartoon scores from Porky Pig, Roadrunner, Tom and Jerry and Droopy alongside music adapted from Looney Tunes, Droopy, Ren and Stimpy, Tales From the Far Side, and more.
“Wittily daft, exotic and swinging. Brilliant resurrection of 1930s crackpot jazz” **** Chris Ingham (Mojo)
Stu Brown – drums/percussion/sound effects
Daniel Paterson – violin
Brian Molley – woodwind
Martin Kershaw – woodwind
Tom MacNiven – trumpet
Paul Harrison – piano/keys
Mario Caribe – bass
www.stu-brown.com/twisted-toons
The Groove Merchant Jazz Orhestra
A young, professional 17-piece big band based in Glasgow, made up of some of the top young jazz talent in Scotland. The band plays a variety of music, from the old school repertoire of Nestico, Ellington, Buddy Rich and Thad Jones, to original material composed by members of the band and other local jazz musicians. The band’s members are all involved in the Scottish jazz scene, with some being members of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland, the Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra, Fat Suit and Square One among others.
Only set up last year, the band has performed at Drygate, at the Glasgow Jazz Festival and appeared as the House Band for the Jazz House Radio Christmas Special alongside Seonaid Aitken of Rose Room and Pat Kane of Hue and Cry.
www.groovemerchantjazzorchestra.com
Todd Gordon
From sell-out shows at Ronnie Scott’s in London to a roaring, standing ovation at the Kuala Lumpur Jazz Festival, Todd Gordon is Scotland’s most successful male jazz singer, performing at venues across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and USA.
“I can’t think of a current American singer who sings better in this swing-era style” – James Gavin, Music journalist and acclaimed author (USA)
“When Todd sings, he brings intimacy to a packed concert hall, inviting the audience to share his love of great songs. Whether as a sensitive interpreter of ballads or astride a roaring band, Todd is a superb, charismatic performer – a true master of his art.” – Charles Alexander, Founder, Jazzwise (UK)
“Fantastic performer” – Sir Sean Connery
“Todd’s voice can really tell a story” – Jamie Cullum
Tom Bancroft – Trio Red
Tom Bancroft (Scotland – drums) (Trio AAB, Dave Milligan Trio, Orchestro Interrupto)
Tom Cawley (London – piano) (Curios, Acoustic Ladyland)
Per Zanussi (Norway – bass) (Zanussi 13, Arve Henriksen, Paal Nilssen-Love)
Trio Red features 3 innovators from vital jazz scenes in Europe. Between them they have played a key role in some of the most groundbreaking signature groupings in their home scenes over the last 15 years, as well as playing with a wide range of global music greats including Sun Ra, Peter Gabriel, Bugge Wesseltoft, Hamid Drake, Martyn Bennett, Geri Allen, Satoko Fuji………
Live performances feature the musical approach presented on the new CD, material like a mash up of Joan Armatrading and Ornette Coleman, a Jeff Buckley cover and some of Tom Bancroft’s original compositions mixed up with very accessible melodic and rhythmic improvised pieces where the focus is on interaction, empathy and compelling collective musical storytelling. Trio Red have played at the London Jazz Festival, Islay Jazz Festival,
Aberdeen Jazz Festival, Shetland Jazz Festival, toured supporting the Yellowjackets performed at many venues across the UK and will be featuring in the Made in UK Program at the Rochester Jazz Festival in the US in June 2015.
www.interupto.com
Tom Gibbs
Tom Gibbs is a pianist and composer living in Glasgow. Mentored by British greats, John Taylor and Julian Arguelles, his 2012 album ‘Fear of Flying’ (Whirlwind Recordings) was named as one of MOJO magazine’s jazz releases of the year. It features New Yorker Will Vinson on saxophones. The previous year, he was named as one of Jazzwise’s ‘One to look out for in 2011,’ and his 2010 album Forgotten Things (co-led with Euan Burton) was picked as an album of the year by Radio Scotland. He has played around the UK and Europe with Lauren Kinsella’s Thought Fox, the Euan Burton Quartet, the Brian Molley Quartet, Stu Brown’s Twisted Toons. His Scottish band features Adam Jackson, Euan Burton and Doug Hough.
“Inspiring.” John Taylor
“Go along and be amazed.” BBC Scotland
Tommy Smith & Brian Kellock
Tommy Smith and Brian Kellock are Scotland’s world class jazz ambassadors. Their work individually constitutes many volumes of high class jazz experience and together they have recorded three acclaimed duo albums as well as creating the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra’s ecstatically received Rhapsody in Blue Live and In the Spirit of Duke albums.
Smith emerged on the international jazz scene as a teenage saxophonist with vibes master Gary Burton’s group and has flourished through a career that includes recording for the legendary Blue Note label, touring the world with Norwegian bassist Arild Andersen’s state of the art jazz trio, and winning accolades including three honorary doctorates and a BBC Heart of Jazz award.
Pianist Kellock has long been recognised as the master musician’s chosen accompanist, having worked with Stanley Turrentine, Scott Hamilton, Sheila Jordan, Carol Kidd, Liane Carroll, Herb Geller and many other internationally renowned musicians, and is an award-winning pianist and bandleader in his own right.
www.tommy-smith.co.uk
Trio AAB
Trio AAB were formed sometime back in the late 1980’s when a bass player didn’t show up for a gig and twin brothers Tom and Phil Bancroft and guitarist Kevin MacKenzie decided to go ahead with no bass and enjoyed it. The band has since gone on to make 3 critically acclaimed Cds and to develop a reputation as being a seriously fun band exploring a whole range of influences – post Ornette bop, ECM jazz, Celtic folk, drum n bass, house, the Sound of Music, and indie rock – as well as becoming a powerhouse live act. The band have played in festivals across Europe including France, Holland, Morocco, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Germany. After a hiatus pursuing solo projects and having babies Trio AAB are back with a vengeance with a great new set of music. Trio AAB recently played at Alchemy Festival 2014 and Celtic Connections 2015 with Indian Violin stars Ganesh Kumaresh.
www.interrupto.com
Trio HSK
Formed in 2013, Trio HSK comprises of three of Scotland’s most creative young musicians. The three musicians- Richard Harrold, Ant Law and Richard Kass- share a love of music that might be deemed rhythmically or harmonically deviant. Structurally, their compositions draw from ideas from Contemporary Classical music and Jazz, while referencing idiomatic elements of hip-hop, breakcore, metal and the music of the Americas. Their intention is to play with musical ambiguities, particularly that of perceived rhythm, and to experiment with improvisation within these frameworks.
http://www.triohsk.com
Trio Verso
Combining the evocative lyric poetry of Brian Johnstone with improvised, jazz soundscapes from Richard Ingham (saxes, bass clarinet & ‘trombophone’) and Louise Major (double bass), Trio Verso refocus the ideas behind the 1950s poetry & jazz movement for a 21st century audience. Bringing an original approach to live poetry, in the context of music at times rhythmically swinging and at others atmospheric and haunting, Trio Verso is a genuine fusion of original poetry with jazz grooves and improvised soundscapes.
“The audience’s attentiveness matched that of the performers in the vivid improvisations Ingham and Major wove around Johnstone’s poetry.” The Scotsman
www.brianjohnstonepoet.co.uk/collaborations/music/trio-verso
Young Pilgrims
From Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games celebrations to the Paris Jazz Festival, Young Pilgrims have entertained crowds across Europe with their rock influenced brass band sound.
Originating in Birmingham this 9 piece band, led by charismatic Scottish trombonist Richard Foote, have performed at a range of festivals and venues including Love Supreme Festival, London Jazz Festival, Birmingham’s Symphony Hall and Lunar Festival, winning fans for their energetic and engaging performances.
In their hometown they’ve made a name for themselves with their monthly Pilgrimage shows which present them alongside guest acts from across the country in the cities legendary Hare & Hounds venue. Their debut album, ‘Little Things’ released in 2016 on Birmingham’s Stoney Lane Records, comprises largely original tunes by penned by Foote, full of catchy melodies and danceable grooves.
www.youngpilgrims.co.uk