From London’s Vortex:
Thur 27 | 8.30pm
Ken Vandermark, Olie Brice, Mark Sanders
A fixture on the Chicago-area music scene since the 1990s, saxophonist Ken Vandermark has earned wide critical praise for his playing and his multi-layered compositions, with an emphasis on contemporary music that deals directly with advanced methods of improvisation. He has performed and recorded in a vast array of contexts and with many internationally renowned musicians. For tonight’s gig he is joined by Olie Brice (double bass) and Mark Sanders (drums).…………………………………………
Fri 28 | 8.30pm
Jah Wobble & The Modern Jazz Ensemble
As well as breaking new ground, via fresh, powerful compositions, the band pays tribute to musical heroes such as Miles Davis, Donald Bird, Dave Brubeck, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Weather Report and others. The Modern Jazz Ensemble comprises Clive Bell (flute), Marc Layton-Bennett (drums), Sean Corby (trumpet), George King (keys), Neville Murray (perc), Chris Cookson (guitar) and Jah Wobble on (bass). Expect monstrous grooves and daring-do improvisation.…………………………………………
Sat 29 | 8.30pm
Loop Collective – Upload Festival
Building on the success of previous festivals programmed by The Loop Collective, UPLOAD is a multi-platform, two-day festival featuring a stunningly diverse programme of new projects. Performances will range from 20 drummers playing on Dalston’s Gillett Square, to a club night featuring boundary-pushing African music, to a specially commissioned large ensemble bringing together some of Europe’s most forward thinking improvisers and composers. True to its name, the festival will extend into the digital universe with performances being instantly made available online at http://www.loopcollective.org in a variety of mediums.…………………………………………
Wed 3 | 8.30pm
Tony Marsh Memorial Tribute
The career of drummer Tony Marsh, who died earlier this year, started in traditional jazz, embraced bebop, fusion, orchestral and free jazz and went on to encompass the latest developments in improvised music. Tony was a founding member of the innovative fusion band Major Surgery, appeared on two of Mike Westbrook‘s most important recordings for large groups, had close and fruitful associations with giants of the British jazz scene such as Mike Osborne, Evan Parker and Harry Beckett, and recently worked with many of the most creative young musicians in improvised music, both in the London Improvisers Orchestra and in small groups. Recently he also performed and recorded with the legendary Roscoe Mitchell and John Tchicai. Tonight’s tribute brings together friends who had long associations with Tony, particularly in the jazz and improvised music areas from the 1980s onwards. Musicians include: Full Monte – playing as a trio with Chris Biscoe (reeds), Marcio Mattos (bass), Brian Godding (guitar synth), Then as Now – the compositions of Harry Beckett with Henry Lowther (trumpet), Chris Biscoe (reeds) Steve Lodder (piano), Fred Baker (electric bass), Mark Saunders (drums), Picard/Dunmall Quartet – with Simon Picard and Paul Dunmall (tenor saxes), Nick Stephens (bass), Mark Saunders.…………………………………………
Sat 6 | 8.30pm
Troyka
Fuelled by textural guitar loops, angular riffs and displaced drum grooves, Troyka – Chris Montague (guitars), Kit Downes (organ) and Joshua Blackmore (drums) – have distilled their unique genre bending live act into a compelling listening experience. Perhaps it’s the trio’s trademark bite combined with an evocative lyricism that is most distinctive in their collective approach on this album. It is utterly absorbing, shocking and charismatic.
Avant Music News 