Fishguard Jazz & Blues Festival

Aquarium - After the wide-ranging success of their eponymous debut album on the Babel Label, pianist Sam Leak's quartet "Aquarium" have recently recorded their second album in preparation for it's release later this year. "Aquarium" was listed as the 6th top album in MOJO Magazine's International Jazz chart for 2011, and they have been tipped by Selywn Harris and Mike Hobart in Jazzwise as ones to watch in 2012. Having had rave reviews in the national press, extensive radio play on BBC Radio 2 and 3 in particular, and with performances including a BBC broadcast from the Royal Festival Hall and an extensive arts council funded national tour under their belt, this should be a very exciting event. Sam Leak - Piano James Allsopp - Tenor Saxophone Calum Gourlay - Double Bass Josh Blackmore - Drums "Multi-faceted and smart as a pin, this is poetic chamber jazz of a very high order" - Chris Ingham, MOJO Magazine "The Royal Academy of Music's jazz programme has produced a remarkable crop of newcomers in recent times: notably the Mercury-nominated pianists Gwilym Simcock (appeared in Aberjazz 2007) and Kit Downes (appeared in Aberjazz 2011). Now comes Sam Leak, an artist of comparable promise...Leak is a subtle storyteller who keeps the grooves and colours changing." - John Fordham, The Guardian www.samleak.com

Babelfish - Babelfish is a joint project with Brigitte Beraha on vocals and Barry Green on piano. The project shows a wide range of influences and features internationally renowned musicians Chris Laurence on bass and Paul Clarvis on drums. Brigitte studied Music at Kingsway College, Goldsmiths College, and Jazz at the Guildhall School of Music. She is now recognized as one of the most versatile and interesting vocalists to emerge on the London jazz scene recently. She is closely involved in the work of the new generation of jazz musicians and in particular the Loop and E17 jazz collectives. Both her album releases show a wide range of musical influences. Prelude to a Kiss is a more straight-ahead collection of standard songs and originals. Flying Dreams contains a very personal collection of original compositions, influenced by Anglo-European and Latin Jazz. 2012 will see the release of two new albums: a standards album, Red Skies, with John Turville & Bobby Wellins, and Babelfish, an album of mainly original music, featuring Barry Green, Chris Laurence and Paul Clarvis.

Find out more at www.brigitteberaha.com

Black Notes - A popular young Fishguard group with a deserved large local fan base. They play an eclectic mixture of jazz and blues with a bit of ska thrown in. Performing their own compositions and interesting arrangements of 60's & 70's classics, this is a band not to be missed. Jasmine on Sax, keyboards and vocals, Charlie on guitar, Joe on bass and Rory on drums and keyboard.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6khB1puIqPA

Bright Shapes have been together for just over a year now. They celebrated their first year together as a band by playing the British Stage at the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in August! They have been gigging nonstop since January and have just released their first EP entitled “Badoo!” They write original music in their stripped down style, with Jane’s beautiful vocals, Kurt’s tasteful guitar lines and josh’s grooving bass lines. They are in the process of recordings demos of all their latest tracks with the idea of either releasing a second EP or a full album. They have gigged a lot in the short time they have been together and have played gigs all over the country. These include slots at the second stage o2 arena in London, the 100 club in London and many of Manchester’s best venues including the academy and Ruby Lounge. They create a wide range of sounds and draw on a large variety of styles including jazz, blues, folk, rock, country and pop to create their unique sound! They continually write new music and love to play live. They can deliver as well live as they do on record and pride themselves on their musicianship. They love every aspect of music and gigging and hope to be playing and writing together for years to come!

www.brightshapes.com

Cuda - blend a mix of the Guitar Driven Blues of the Supergroups of the 60s such as Cream, Fleetwood Mac together with the Classic Rock of the 70’s. Formed in 2005 by a bunch of time-earned musicians from the local area who were fed up of hearing and playing the same stuff that everyone else was playing a set was decided and the improvisational style decided – CUDA are known for stamping their own style and authority on the songs that they do.
Playing a mixture of Cream, Fleetwood Mac, early ZZ Top, Bad Company, Free, Led Zeppelin and many more, you will not be disappointed by the quality and commitment this band puts in to getting their point across..

www.myspace.com/cudabluesjam

Dale Storr with Kim Storr - Some of you may remember Dale from 2010 when he played in a duo in the Royal Oak. Dale is back again this year with another duo, this time playing with his wife, Kim, on saxophone. Dale's early musical interests were inspired by his parents' record collection of early rock 'n roll and country music. He learned to play the piano at the age of six, listening to the piano-based music of Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis and Fats Domino. He started performing at the age of ten in local venues in rural Lincolnshire. Soon his talents took him further afield to the city of Sheffield where he performed with a number of bands most notably Sheffield's own Rock 'n' Blues legend, Frank White. Dale is passionate about the music of New Orleans and has played with the cream of the British Blues Scene.

Kim is a professional musician and music teacher since 1997. These days Kim plays the saxophone having studied improvisation at Weymouth College and Newcastle where she gained a degree in Jazz and Commerical music. Kim now plays mainly with Dale as a duo and has recently been nominated as Best Instrumentalist in British Blues Awards 2011.

www.dalestorr.com

Eddie Martin - "A Blues Master" New Jersey Times, "A live act not to be missed" Blues Revue USA "a wonderful musician, the most remarkable bluesman of his generation" Blues in Britain" Charismatic multi-instrumentalist,singer-songwriter,one man band and band leader. Martin is touring internationally as a one-man-band to promote his 11th cd release "Folk and Blues" (FRoots "Superb","a masterpiece" Blues in Britain) which showcases his prowess as an acoustic master musician and songwriter. He also continues to gig with his trio (now featuring Jean Paul Gard on organ/bass pedals), and his Big Band featuring the Little Big Horns (ex Mick Jagger). Again nominated Best UK Blues Guitarist and Blues Harmonica Player in 2010, Eddie has been booked and re-booked for Major International Roots, Guitar and Harmonica Festivals, and regularly tours the Club/Theatre and Arts Centre circuit.

www.eddiemartin.com

Hangmen - Formed in 2011 Hangmen have played throughout south wales and southern England, Strongly influenced by 1960's/1950's instrumental rock n roll/garage and blues acts, Hangmen play their own fusion mixed with a reverb drenched surf sound which is full of energy!To hear more please visit www.soundcloud.com/hangmen
and to see two brand new videos visit:vimeo.com/34369055

Hummingbirds Blues Band - You may remember this band from previous years, this will be their third visit to Aberjazz - the picture is from the Royal Oak in 2010. The Hummingbirds are a blues band from Shefield, featuring Bob on Tenor and Soprano Sax, Stu - Blues Axeman, John - bass and vocals and Andy - Drums/Percussion and vocals.

www.hummingbirdsbluesband.co.uk

The Inspector Gadjo Trio Infuses Electric Bebop with the spirit of fire of Modern Gypsy and Latin Jazz. Original compositions and a fresh approach to standards have gained the group a healthy following, with appearances at some of the U.K.'s top clubs and festivals as well as regular BBC radio play listing and features. The group caught the attention of judges at the 2009 International Gypsy Guitar Festival and have been commended by the likes of Martin Taylor and Andreas Oberg.

Will Barnes (guitar) George Jackson (drums) Tommy Mills (bass)

Will be joined by Casey Green of Quiver on Sax & Flute.

www.myspace.com/inspectorgadjo

Jeremy Sassoon - This year Jeremy is coming to the Aberjazz festival as part of his UK and European Jazz Festival circuit with The Ray Charles Project in 2012. The music is based around Ray Charles' work with his big band and has the perfect blend of well-known hits and rarer songs that only the hardened Ray Charles fan would recognise.

Already one of the North West'’s most in-demand jazz pianists and bandleaders, Jeremy Sassoon launched his solo career in 2011 as a vocal artist; his distinctive and evocative style encompassing genres of Jazz, Blues and Soul. He is already being booked regularly in the top jazz venues in London and Europe, and has kicked off 2012 at The A-Trane Jazz Club in Berlin.

"In the keyboard and vocal department, Jeremy excelled. He found the spirit of Ray Charles without mere imitation or pastiche... He is a man who loves and understands this music"

Peter Serocynski, Goostrey Festival 2010

www.jeremysassoon.co.uk

Karl Griffiths - is a young musician influence by the likes of Mumford & Sons, the Shins, Jack Johnson, Seasick Steve, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin & BB King. Writes his own music in a blues

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Oq9B4agrr4

Kel Elliott - Kel is a double-bass playing sassy jazz singer who takes her life experiences – and her views on the state of the nation - and hammers them out on stage with humour, irony, and a touch of mischief. Her big voice and the ecstatic support of guitar, keyboards, and percussion from her talented band have audiences dancing in the aisles, offering thundering applause, and crying out for ‘more!’ Kel’s own songs make up the majority of the band’s set, but they adapt for their audiences and are comfortable moving through standards to quirky interpretations of classic hits such as Tainted Love and or a Latino version of The Arctic Monkeys’ Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor and Ray Charles ‘Drown in my own tears’.  

Seasoned Aberjazzers may remember her as the lead singer in Molly Brown who played upstairs in the Abergwaun in 2010.

. www.kelelliott.com

Lady Nade and the Silhouettes - ‘The sound of Lady Nade & The Silhouettes suggests a blend of soul, funk, R&B and folk yet remains refreshingly unique. Lady Nade’s influences as a songwriter include Nina Simone, Lauryn Hill, Antony And The Johnsons, Amy Winehouse, and many others.’

Lady Nade: Vocals & Guitar The Silhouettes: Simon Le Fort: Keys Sophie Stockham: Sax Matt Brown: Drums Adam Newton: Double Bass Will Edmunds: Electric Guitar

'Lady Nade’s voice has a powerful authority that belies her young age, a voice that speaks of lost cellars and smoky jazz. But her music is carefully composed and contemporary! bluesy, with more than a touch of soul. It all adds up to a remarkably individual artist with even greater things ahead of her' - Tony Benjamin (Venue Magazine).

‘The regal Lady Nade stretches vowels until they beg for mercy and sings about being human while sounding utterly timeless' - Venue Magazine.

'Youthful singer Lady Nade is known for possessing one of the most distinctive and soulful voices on the Bristol Scene’ - Computer Music Magazine.

www.ladynade.co.uk/

Lowri Evans - One comes to know a good voice like an old friend. A voice so distinct and special that sings as easy as one breathes. The ear embraces them and notes dance like never before. Pembrokeshire born Lowri Evans’s voice is like part of the family in Wales, and her latest bilingual album, Dydd a nos, meaning day and night, will certainly extend that family way
beyond the border. Dydd a nos conveys the range of emotions and styles used by Lowri; from jazz, pop, country, folk and Americana and is Lowri’s fourth album, and her experience and musical maturity shines through. After performing non stop at Festivals such as The Green Man Festival, Wychwood Festival, Celtic Connections in Glasgow and The Acoustic Music of Britain Festival;

Lowri is back again in the Yatch Club where she performed a memorable gig in last year's festival.

www.lowrievans.co.uk

www.youtube.com/only1lee

Matt Chandler with Toni Kofi - This is a five-piece group led by guitarist Matt Chandler.   Since releasing his debut album 'After Midnight' in 2009 Matt Chandler has continued his successful career as a session musician. Over this time he has recorded and toured extensively with Ozark Henry to critical acclaim throughout mainland Europe. Ozark's popularity means playing in front of crowds up to 18,000 in size - quite a treat for a British jazz musician! It also gave Matt time to work on new material - including writing several tracks for the new album 'It goes like this'.
Matt's jazz credentials are impressive - in addition to the success of ‘After Midnight’ he played Manchester and Newark Jazz Festivals in 2010 and in the same year his previous band, MC3, won The "Budvar Brewed Jazz Competition" at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival. He is popular with jazz guitarists because of his muscular style and technique and with audiences because of the accessibility, variety and intricacy of his compositions.
Matt Chandler – guitar
Ian Beestin – drums
Karl Bingham – double bass
Neil Hunter – keyboards
Tony Kofi - saxes

soundcloud.com/matt-chandler

Matt and his band are joined by Tony Kofi, winner, Best instrumentalist at the 2008 BBC Jazz awards. Winner, best Ensemble at the 2005 Parliamentary Jazz Awards. Winner, Radio 3 Jazz line up album of the year 2005 BBC Jazz awards. Nominated for a MOBO award 2008. Instructor of Saxophones (Alto/Soprano/Tenor & Baritone) Flutes, Piano, Recorder, Percussion instruments and music notation.

www.tonykofimusic.com

West Coast Blues Band - Some out-of-town Aberjazzers may remember this Pembrokeshire based blues band from last year, back by popular demand in the Farmers Arms in Mathry. Four experienced musicians from West Wales, playing feel-good rockin' blues to get you moving! With Brian Wright on drums, Bob Murphy on bass, Ali Cambell on Sax and Tris Lewis, vocals and guitar.

Quiver - An international Latin-jazz-Funk-Fusion band are a dazzling six piece group featuring musicians from as far away as Australia and Venezuela.

Composer and multi-instrumentalist Casey Greene pulls together a unique and dynamic fusion of original compositions that draw their influence from across the globe and are inspired by icons such as: Santana, Tito Puente, Pat Metheny, Weather Report, Paquito d'Rivera and Oscar Hernandez.

Musicians: Casey Greene (sax and flute), Simon King (guitar) Edgar Macias (piano), Roger Innis (bass), Carl Hemmingsley (drums) and Eddie McGuire (congas).

www.quiver.org.uk

Tudor and the Rhythm Kings - Once again Tudor is back with his band the Rhythm kings in the Royal Oak at 7:30 on Thursday. Just the thing for those of you who like their jazz traditional. Tudor Thomas (trombone and vocals) has led traditional jazz bands in the Midlands, East Anglia, the West Country and West Wales over a 30-year period. He now plays mainly with the Swansea-based Speakeasy Jazz Band with Ian Jameson on clarinet and soprano sax, Eric Swift on trumpet, Peter Berry on string bass - the steady driving-force behind this interesting front line and George Sykes on Banjo. The Tudor Rhythm Kings perform a varied programme of foot-tapping Dixieland jazz with an interesting sprinkling of vocals. Sit back, relax and enjoy the sounds of this popular, classic quintet.

The Varsity Quartet The Quartet met as pupils at Chipping Norton Comprehensive School and all come from Oxfordshire, UK. They have all gone on to study music at University.In the last couple of years they have played at UK jazz festivals in Cheltenham, Upton and Bicester following which they have received an excellent response.The Quartet members are:
Ben Abbotts – piano and vocals
Michael Jarman – alto & tenor saxophone
Chris Hill – drums
Jamie Biles guitar

The Quartet are unusual for such a young band in that they play Dixieland and early swing jazz.  The band aims to play the jazz from the 1920s & 30s injecting contemporary beats, textures and structures in to this classic art form.

www.thevarsity4.moonfruit.com

Zoey Gilby Trio - Zoë Gilby is a jazz vocalist who is making a real impression on the jazz scene. A constantly expanding repertoire that starts with her superb interpretations of “The Great American Songbook” and encompasses a wide range of more contemporary and original material. Influences include Carmen McRae, Nancy Wilson, Sheila Jordan and Roberta Gambarini to name but a few. Zoë is well deserving of the respect that she has been receiving from many leading jazz instrumentalists and publications. She has performed with some of the UK top jazz musicians, including Louis Stewart, Jim Mullen Organ Trio and Tony Faulkner. She was recently awarded funding from The Jazz Services Touring Support Scheme which lead to a nine date UK tour.

www.zoegilby.co.uk