Bristol’s week in jazz, March 2 – 8

It’s a big week for European influences to shine forth, happily, with a bit of an Italian theme shining through, while bigger bands with ambitious musical imaginations figure widely and soul jazz singers pop up all over.And one band takes the notion of Europe a very long way indeed …

Bristol-based jazz trumpeter David Mowatt has for decades been carefully broadening his international musical influences through travel and collaborations. His Bristol European Jazz Ensemble (Future Inns, Thursday 5) has been a loosely assembled collective of musicians from all over the continent, playing a distinctive and energetic contemporary jazz. Last year, however, they briefly extended the EU border somewhat to welcome two visiting South Koreans. The inclusion of singer and pianist Yunmi Sang and guitarist Sangyeon Park proved a magical combination that inspired David to hastily arrange a recording session and the resulting CD Modernised Sacrifice is just released. It captures excellently the magic of Yunmi’s astonishing vocal technique and the impressive rapport between the band and their guests.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=28&v=h8JeLKQhWAo&feature=emb_logo

Two regular members of the BEJE line-up – bass player Pasquale Votino and drummer Paolo Adamo – hail from Italy and a number of their compatriots are to be found plying their jazzy wares this week. Bass player Federico Leonori joins pianist Sam Joyce at the New Moon on the Quay (Wednesday 4), while singer-pianist Bandini  brings his cabaret-friendly fusion to Mr Wolf’s (Saturday 7). Pasquale also reappears on Sunday (8) alongside trumpeter Felix Barnes (Stag & Hounds) for a set drawing on ‘a carefully selected tunes from 50s Napoli’.

As a veteran of Cuba’s near-legendary Sierra Maestra trumpeter Yelfris Valdés (Exchange, Tuesday 3) comes with impeccable jazz credentials. That he’s been working alongside all the fast and fresh new faces of the London scene (Shabaka, Nubya, Yussef, Moses …) demonstrates his endless musical curiosity and willingness to find new forms for his music. This gig, with a full 5-piece live band, should be an epic experience.

Since relocating here from London, pianist Alex Veitch’s AVtrio’s cool contemporary electronic sound has been a regular attraction at both the Greenback and Gallimaufry over the last year. His Alex Veitch Quartet (Be-bop Club, Friday 6) however is a more conventional jazz line-up, with Nick Dover’s tenor sax and We Are Leif’s ubertight rhythm section of Chris Jones on bass and Mark Whitlam drumming. The Be-bop’s main man is off to El Rincon, however, with the Andy Hague Trio (Thursday 5) which also includes the ubiquitous Pasquale Votino on bass. Wednesday (4) sees Ibou Tall & The Jazz Mates at Canteen, with the Senegalese pianist bringing his African roots together within hard bopping piano style.

Another Jeckyll and Hyde conversion happens when young tenor saxophonist Daniel Newberry drops the Riot Jazz persona of 3D Brass to rejoin the Daniel Newberry Quartet (Future Inn, Wednesday 4). This is a fine straight ahead bopping band from the Cardiff scene that also includes the excellent bass energy of Ashley John Young, himself a regular favourite at the Fringe.

The world of jazz-rock fusion is a very inclusive one, inevitably,  and there’s plenty of imagineering coming through in younger bands at the moment. Glasgow’s Animal Society (Old England, Wednesday 4) are a prog-minded case in point, as are Leeds’ power septet Têtes de Pois (Jam Jar, Friday 6) and the world-flavoured Nimbus Sextet (LeftBank, Friday 6), also hailing from Glasgow.

Taking things a bit farther, art-rockwise, Housewives (Rough Trade, Thursday 5) offer a deconstructed industrial pop music all of it’s own. It’s likely to be a bit out-avanted, however, by the rough hewn improvised rock of Triple Negative who headline the latest Cacophonous Sarcophagus promotion (The Cube, Saturday 7).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSMU_KoAo38

It’s good to see prodigal Bristol son J-Felix return to the city (Louisiana, Friday 6). Long settled in the thriving Brighton music scene as producer and guitarist his soul-jazz projects have a definite classy touch, as do those of London vocalist Andreya Triyana (Exchange, Saturday 7). Andreya has featured on Ninja Tunes both in her own right and alongside Mr Scruff and Bonobo. Still firmly Bristolian, however, singer Ngaio brings her blend of soul, jazz and hip-hop to the St George’s Listening Room afternoon session (Saturday 7). For more venerable tradition of jazz vocals it’s good to see Tina May visiting (Cadbury Hall, Frampton on Severn, Saturday 7) with a show of songs From New Orleans to Broadway, while Peanut Shuffle Club’s Ellie Hopkins will be swinging it at The Fringe in Hopkins & Oliver (Sunday 8).

And, finally – big congratulations to Waldo’s Gift (Gallimaufry, Wednesday 4) for getting picked to open for this year’s George Clinton Funkadelic tour. It’s a well-deserved recognition for one of the city’s tightest and most promising new bands.