Harmonic » artists

Dave Holland with Birmingham Conservatoire students

admin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:54:06 +0000

Possibly the midlands most well known jazz export with a C.V. reading like a who’s who of jazz, Dave has become a regular visitor to the Conservatoire’s jazz course for the last few years. Events include the Dave Holland ensemble prize, masterclasses and for Harmonic, a special concert presented by the man himself. Students of the Conservatoire will be working with Dave on his own compositions and playing them for the first concert of Harmonic. There may just happen to be a spare bass lying around too…

Line-up:

TBC

Soweto Kinch & Lluis Mather

admin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:34:25 +0000

Soweto is one of the most familiar faces on the Birmingham scene, nationally and internationally. His unique blend of rap and jazz has won him critical acclaim from jazz and hip-hop fans alike, as well as collaborations with some of the greats from both scenes. This will be his first appearance at Cobweb Collective’s weekly session at The Yardbird. Definitely long overdue and certainly worth the wait.

myspace.com/sowetokinch

Check out a video of this gig on our Media page

Lluis Mather is one of the most promising musicians to come from the jazz course at the Conservatoire. A fine saxophonist and composer, he has come to the attention of Dave Holland, and his quartet was awarded the Dave Holland/Birmingham Conservatoire ensemble award this year. A star of the Birmingham scene for the future playing at Harmonic now.

Line-ups:
TBC

MC3

admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:14:19 +0000

A classic organ trio MC3 are a Hammond trio deeply rooted in the hard swinging tradition of the organ trio. Influenced heavily by the Pat Martino , Joey DeFrancesco and Billy Hart album “Live at Yoshi’s” Mc3 play a mix of hard bop, funk and contemporary grooves. The Band have recently finished a couple of dates with award winning saxophonist Tony Kofi , playing many of the tunes from Tony’s own Hammond trio album “future present”.

MC3 will be playing in the band stand in Brindley Place (unless it really rains!)

http://www.myspace.com/mc3organtrio

Line-up:
Matt Chandler – guitar
Matt Ratcliffe – hammond organ
Tymoteusz Jozwiak – drums

Ben Markland Quintet

admin — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:24:58 +0000

Ben is one of the hardest working musicians in Birmingham. Constantly in demand as a bass player and sideman, Ben also leads his own quintet. They will be performing Ben’s music at Symphony Hall Foyer in a special Harmonic version of this weekly event.

www.benmarkland.co.uk

Line-up: tbc

Moon Unit

admin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:19:24 +0000

First formed in 2006 within the catacombs of Birmingham Conservatoire, trumpeter Aaron Diaz led Zappajazz – a band tackling the music of guitarist and composer Frank Zappa. Now under the moniker Moon Unit, taking its name from one of Zappa’s children, Aaron and the band will be presenting music written especially for the Harmonic festival following influences as far-a-field as Miles and Ornette to Zappa and Beefheart.

www.aarondiaz.co.uk

Check out a recording of this gig on our Media page

Line-up:
Aaron Diaz – trumpets
Nick Rundle – Tenor
Colin Mils – Bari/Sop
Andy Bunting – Keys
Rob Anstey – Bass/Trombone
Tom Durham – Guitar
Jim Bashford – Drums

Sara Colman

admin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:15:05 +0000

Sara is one of the most in demand vocalists in Birmingham and works regularly as both a solo artist and as part of The Passion with Liane Carole and Jacqui Dankworth. For Harmonic she leads her band playing new songs written by Sara and featuring some of Birmingham’s finest musicians.

www.saracolman.com

Check out a recording of this gig on our Media page

Claudia Quintet

admin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:02:38 +0000

One of the most progressive bands in jazz, New york based Claudia Quintet will be making a special appearance at Harmonic. As well as playing music from their forthcoming new album they will be joined by Birmingham based musicians Percy Pursglove on trumpet and Steve Tromans on Rhodes to play specially commissioned arrangements of Claudia’s music. John Hollenbeck, drummer and band leader of Claudia, has arranged some of his music for this one-off collaboration. This event is supported by Birmingham Jazz

www.myspace.com/theclaudiaquintet
johnhollenbeck.com
www.stevetromans.co.uk

Check out a recording of this gig on our Media page

Line-up:
John Hollenbeck – Drums
Chris Speed – Tenor Sax
Tim Collins – Vibes
Ted Reichman – Accordion
Drew Gress – Bass
Matt Mitchell – Piano
plus:
Steve Tromans – Rhodes
Percy Pursglove – Trumpet

Paul Dunmall John Edwards Mark Sanders

admin — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:24:43 +0000

Saxophonist Paul Dunmall brings together his trio with John Edwards on bass and Mark Sanders on drums. Paul is undoubtedly one of the most recognisable names on the Birmingham scene. He has had an illustrious career and played with some of the greats of free jazz, including the recently completed Profound Sound Trio tour with Andrew Cyrille and Henry Grimes. John and Mark are both regulars on the UK free jazz scene playing frequently with some of the finest names on the national and international scene.

www.pauldunmall.com

Line-up:
Paul Dunmall – Saxophone
John Edwards – Bass
Mark Sanders – Drums

Chris Mapp’s Gambol

admin — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:03:08 +0000

Chris leads the very successful band The Sub Ensemble who were recently covered 4hero’s Humans for their Extensions album. For Harmonic he has formed a new band Gambol and written music based around his 10 years in Birmingham. He’s been busy sampling Balti dishes and transcribing speech patterns in the search for a unique sound. The band’s performance at Harmonic will be its first and the music will be getting its premier.

www.chrismapp.co.uk

Check out a recording of this gig on our Media page

Line-up:
Chris Mapp – Bass
Lluis Mather – Saxophone/Flute
Sam Wooster – Trumpet
Rob Norman – Keys
Jim Bashford – Drums