Looking forward to playing a duo set with Janet Style at this years Huddersfield Jazz Guitar Festival on Sunday 24th July 2016, at The Rat and Ratchet, 40 Chapel Hill, Huddersfield. We’ll be playing from 3pm in the Beer Garden.
This years line up features a host of great gigs with some of the UK’s top jazz guitarists. Appearing over the weekend are UK Gypsy Jazz legend Gary Potter, Remi Harris, Alan Barnes, Jamie Taylor, Adrian Ingram, Sam Dunn, Darren Dutson-Bromley and lots more.
For more details please follow the link to visit the Huddersfield Jazz Guitar Festival website
Last weekend I had the pleasure of playing with Leeds Jazz Orchestra, featuring guest soloists Ingrid Jensen and Kim Macari, at Seven Jazz in Chapel Allerton, Leeds.
Ingrid was visiting the UK playing a number of gigs on the first NorvolJazz international tour organised by Kim Macari’s “Orpheus” promotions.
Here’s a few pics from the gig along with a video of us playing “You Can’t Even Walk in The Park” from the film Shaft in Africa.
Video
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Posted: May 31, 2016 in Uncategorized
Abtuse Sextet in France 20th-25th August 2014
This August, I’ll be joining Abtuse Sextet, to play with them for a week of gigs in France.
I was recently asked to dep for their guitarist Martin Briggs for a gig with the band at Dada Bar in Sheffield. Which was great fun.
I’m looking forward to playing with the band again in France, in August. We’ll be travelling out to Vendee, in the Pays-de-la-Loire region in west-central France, on the 20th of August, for a day of rehearsal, on Thurs 21st. Then we’ll be playing 3 gigs in the region, before returning on 25th Aug.
The band features
Brian Whittington – Tenor sax,
Alex Celik – Trumpet,
Andrei Celik – Keys,
Trevor Prinn – Bass,
John Settle – Drums
Becky – Vocals
Abtuse Tour Dates 2014
Fri 22 Aug : La Bonne Vie, Vendee, France
Sat 23 Aug : Cafe des Belles Fleurs, Vendee, France
Sun 24 Aug : (tbc) France
Now, where did I put my passport….
Starting on Friday 4th July, the Cellar Bar, Rainhall Rd, Barnoldswick will be running a regular Friday night of Jazz music. Cracking off with a duo featuring twice Grammy nominated Jazz Guitarist, Neil C. Young and Saxophonist Chris Pearson.
Upcoming Jazz Fridays
Fri 4th July 2014 : Neil C. Young & Chris Pearson (gtr & sax duo)
Fri 11th July 2014 : Helen Livsey & Neil C. Young (voc & gtr duo)
Fri 18th July 2014 : Dan Arnold (solo gtr)
Fri 25 th July2014 : The Sonny Intervals Duo (voc & gtr)
Fri 8th Aug 2014 : Dan Arnold & Steve Hemsworth Duo (gtr duo)
Fri 15th Aug 2014 : Steve Hemsworth (solo gtr)
18-22 Rainhall Rd,
Barnoldswick
Steve Hemsworth / Dan Arnold Duo
May sees the first gigs for a new duo collaboration, featuring a great young jazz guitarist, Dan Arnold.
Dan is a fine solo jazz guitarist, and plays fingerstyle arrangements reminiscent of the late fingerstyle jazz guitar masters Lenny Breau and Ted Greene.
We’ve been working on duo arrangements for a couple of weeks, and can’t wait for our first few gigs in May. We’ll be playing a selection of classic tunes by Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Charlie Parker and loads more … It’s gonna be fun…
You can hear the duo :
Fri 9 May : The Cellar Bar, Barnoldswick
Fri 16 May : The Three Wise Monkeys, Todmorden
Sat 31 May : Pendle Sandwitch Bar, Colne
Sun 1st June : The Queens Hotel, Colne
Neil C. Young Trio
Lots of exciting projects on the horizon….
In April, I’ll be playing with the band of twice Grammy nominated jazz guitarist, Neil C.Young. I’ll be standing in on bass with his trio at Zeffirelli’s in Ambleside on Sat 5th April.
I’m really looking forward to this gig, and the chance to play with Neil and the band. I’ve known Neil for a number of years, he a fine guitarist and a really nice chap. I studied under his father, Peter Young at college. Neil himself, went on to run the music course, after his father retired. Between them they are responsible for encouraging hundreds of young musicians across the North of England. Neil’s brother Richard is a great musician too, he’s a fine drummer, and also plays in the trio. I have nothing but respect for the whole Young clan, so this will be a special gig.
Can’t wait.
I’m off to learn the tunes….
For more info click here to visit Neil C. Young’s website.
Ribble Valley Jazz Festival May 1-5 2014
This year see the duo’s first appearance at this great Festival, in Clitheroe. Starting on Thurs 1st May and running until Mon 5th May. There are lots of great bands on over the weekend including Denis Rollins, Snake Davis, Marley Chingus and Gary Boyle.
We’ll be playing :
Sun 4th May 1 – 3pm
at The Emporium, Moor Lane,
Clitheroe BB7 1BE.
More Details, about the festival and other events over the weekend can be found here.
Big Bands, Small Bands and Stuff In Between
Posted: October 9, 2013 in UncategorizedTags: Big Band Jazz, Gary Boyle, jazz, jazz guitar, Leeds, Leeds Jazz Orchestra
Leeds Jazz Orchestra
Last week saw the start of a new season with the L.J.O. I’m really happy to be back with them for a second year, and looking forward to new tunes, getting to know the new players, and more gigs….
We were joined the other night, by composer/ Trumpeter, James Hamilton. We’ll be taking part in some big band arrangements, playing along side his band, Hope and Social. We’ll be joining them on stage to perform the arrangements sometime in May.
La Boheme Jazz Orchestra
This week sees the start of a new Big Band under the leadership of Colin Byrne (Leader of L.J.O.). The band will be performing every Friday at La Boheme, Cross York St, Leeds from 5.30 – 7.30pm. It’s gonna be fun 🙂 See Gig listing for details… https://sonnyintervalsjazz.com/gigs/
The Ben Allen Quartet w/Gary Boyle
I’ve recently joined the quartet of saxophonist Ben Allen, which features my old guitar teacher, the one and only Gary Boyle. The band also features Ian Bell on Drums. I’m really excited about working with such great players. I’ll be playing bass with them, on our first gig together at No39. in Darwen this Thurs 10 Oct. 🙂
The Ben Allen Quartet at Jims Cafe 7/11/13 – l-r Gary Boyle, me, Ian Bell, Ben Allen
Darwen Jazz Festival 2013
Posted: July 11, 2013 in UncategorizedTags: Darwen Jazz Festival, jazz, jazz and blues festival, jazz festival, jazz guitar
Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival – Colne 23-26 August
Looking forward the duos 3rd year at the festival. We’ll be playing at Jims Acoustic Cafe at 5pm on Sat 24 August. It’s always a great audience, we can’t wait
Had a great time playing with Leeds Jazz Orchestra this year. We’ve got one more gig in September, at Chapel Allerton Festival. Can’t wait for next year which kicks off in October.
Upcoming Gigs w/ Leeds Jazz Orchestra :
10 May 2013 : Heart, Headingley
2 June 2013 : Millennium Square, Leeds – 12.00
8 June 2013 : Ripon Food Festival
9 June 2013 : Golden Acre Park, Leeds – 2.30
22 June 2013 : Horsforth, Leeds
24 June 2013 : Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
28 June 2013 : Otley Courthouse
16 Aug 2013 : LJO Small Band : The Old Cattle Market, Skipton
1 Sept 2013 : Chapel Allerton Fest (tbc)
Photography by R.H.Rowland