Jazz festival artist profiles
Friday 25 July
Walpole Park
Main stage:
Chris Hodgkins and Harlem Airshaft: 2pm-3.15pm
Chris Hodgkins - trumpet
John Evans - clarinet
Mike Nash - trombone
Max Brittain - guitar
John Ferguson - bass
Don Cook - drums
Among Chris Hodgkins' many claims to fame is the launch by Harlem Airshaft in August 1985 of the first Ealing Jazz Festival, or Jazz Week as it was tentatively called. Since then they have appeared every year with scarcely a change in personnel despite coming perilously close to being swept away in the Great Walpole Flood of 2006! With his inspirational trumpet at the helm, Chris and his band exemplify the swinging approach of the smaller outfits occasionally led by the likes of Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Although firmly rooted in the classic mainstream style popularised during the 1940s and 1950s, Harlem Airshaft specialises in up-to-date treatments of well-loved jazz tunes and standards to give a fresh, lively feel to a timeless genre.
Xantoné Blacq: 3.45pm-5pm
Xantoné Blacq - keyboards, vocals
Tom Nowak - trumpet, flugel
Charlie Hickman - flute, vocals
John Calvert - bass
Nathan Allen - drums
Trevor Antonio - percussion
Vocalist and Multi-Instrumentalist Xantoné Blacq's music is a sonic adventure fusing Jazz, Funk, Soul, Afro and Latin music with ethnic sounds from around the world. Xan describes it as 'Free-Range Sunshine Music'... Think Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder and Roy Ayers in the making...
His musical career started early when at the age of three he would stand on a stool at church in Nigeria playing congas! For the past four years, he has regularly performed at venues worldwide with his band as well as those of Amy Winehouse and Nigel Kennedy.
His latest album “To The Heavens and Beyond” of which music will be performed at the festival, has been twice picked as iTunes staff favourite.
Ken McCarthy Seven: 5.30pm-6.45pm
Martin Shaw - trumpet, flugel
Andy Rogers - trombone
Paul Fawcus - alto, soprano sax
Richard Exall - tenor, soprano sax, flute
Ken McCarthy - piano
Nick Pugh - bass
Steve Vintner - drums
This year sees their welcome return with new music specially composed for the 2008 Festival. Avid followers of the band will be well aware that its proven formula comprises small group charts scored with a big band feel. The leader`s skilful writing ensures maximum drive and swing which finds a perfect contrast in the lush woodwind stylings of the Coltrane-inspired ballads. For this evening`s performance, the ubiquitous Martin Shaw and Richard Exall, of Chris Barber`s 9 piece outfit, join Ken`s regular line-up for what promises to be one of the finest pre-dinner jazz cocktails on offer!
Andrew Butcher and Butcher’s Brew: 7.15pm-8.30pm
Andrew Butcher - trombone
Andor Jensen - saxes
Richard Bolton - guitar
Andy Skinnard - piano
Dan Quinton - bass
Elliot Toms - drums
An Ealing festival favourite, this modern six piece moves on every year with a new mix of modern arrangements and band originals. The band features Ealing's own Richard Bolton and leader Andrew Butcher in a hard-hitting front line of sax, trombone and guitar.
Keith Waithe and The Macusi Players: 9.15pm-10.30pm
Keith Waithe - flute, vocal gymnastics
Vladimir Miller - Piano
Helen McDonald - vocals, percussion
Jo-Jo Yates - Ghanaian cora, vocals, kpanalogo drums
Mo Nasan - guitar
Darryl Lee Que - Caribbean drums, percussion
Eustace Williams - bass guitar
Dan See - kit drums
Award-winning flautist, composer and expert proponent of vocal gymnastics, Keith Waithe produces and promotes an international musical style, which explores an original fusion of jazz and classical, African, Carribean, Asian and western influences. Keith claims to have the largest collection of flutes in Europe, currently totalling 170. The Macusi Players have toured the U.K. and globe extensively and are very much in demand for festivals, concerts, master classes and work with other artistes.
Crypt stage:
TalkTalk Groove: 2pm-3.15pm
Jazz Festival sponsors TalkTalk bring Mann Friday to open the Crypt stage. Expect original accoustic rock sounds jazzed up with world music influences.
Sam Frammingham Band: 3.45pm-5pm
Six piece sax, trumpet, guitar, piano, bass and drums led by London College of Music student Sam Frammingham.
Tony Oliver Trio featuring Demis Valsecchi and Mark: 5.30pm-6.45pm
Rose plus guests. Mainstream and standards from Ealing musicians.
Blue Jar - Gypsy Jazz From Belfast: 7.15pm-8.30pm
"The panache of Grappelli balanced with a dreamy, atmospheric classical sound”.
Tommy Locke guitar, Lesley Dennison violin, Scott Heron bass.
John Law Trio: 9pm-10.15pm
Playing the beautiful compositions of John Law, interspersed with a couple of unusual standard arrangements, the trio plays highly interactive music with extreme dynamics from the loudest energy music to the merest whisper. The trio will feature the amazing Russian virtuoso bassist Yuri Goloubev, stopping over in the UK for a couple of dates before flying to France with John to perform in duo at a festival.
“John Law is a hidden treasure of the UK jazz scene.” Guardian 2006
John Law - piano
Yuri Goloubev - bass
Jon Scott - drums