LARRY GOLDINGS (solo)
2022-10-19 20:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | SoundCellar at The Grasshopper, 139 - 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole, Dorset, BH14 9HT, United Kingdom
SoundCellar are excited to present the US keyboard legend LARRY GOLDINGS in a rare solo performance. Larry has been the keyboard player of choice for John Scofield, James Taylor, Steve Gadd, Robben Ford, Michael Brecker, Pat Metheny and many other iconic musicians.
THIS GIG IS NOW SOLD OUT! Livestream tickets still available.
This gig will take place at The Grasshopper, 139 – 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 9HT
Ticket link below
For this European tour Larry’s solo performance will feature him as a pianist, and/or whatever keyboard instruments each venue can provide, creating an evening of spontaneous, creative, and eclectic music.
Perhaps best known for the organ trio Goldings/Bernstein/Stewart, Goldings grew up primarily as a pianist, but, “home organs, analog synths, melodicas – what have you – were equally significant during my formative years. I was very content in my childhood basement, as a one-man band, pretty much from the start. It got me thinking about colour, texture, orchestration, and what it feels like to simultaneously be a bass player. I love having other colours at my disposal, because it leads me down new roads, with new emotional and storytelling possibilities.”
Possibly ruining the evening will be guest artist Hans Groiner, known for removing the best parts of musical ideas. One critic said of his Thelonious Monk interpretations, “Kill me now”……..
Larry Goldings – keyboards
Entry is £15 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £18 on the door (cash or card).
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LIVESTREAM: LARRY GOLDINGS (solo)
2022-10-19 20:00 - 22:00 | LIVESTREAM, United Kingdom
SoundCellar are excited to present the US keyboard legend LARRY GOLDINGS in a rare solo performance. Larry has been the keyboard player of choice for John Scofield, James Taylor, Steve Gadd, Robben Ford, Michael Brecker, Pat Metheny and many other iconic musicians.
Click here for tickets to attend the physical gig.
Livestream Ticket link below
For this European tour Larry’s solo performance will feature him as a pianist, and/or whatever keyboard instruments each venue can provide, creating an evening of spontaneous, creative, and eclectic music.
Perhaps best known for the organ trio Goldings/Bernstein/Stewart, Goldings grew up primarily as a pianist, but, “home organs, analog synths, melodicas – what have you – were equally significant during my formative years. I was very content in my childhood basement, as a one-man band, pretty much from the start. It got me thinking about colour, texture, orchestration, and what it feels like to simultaneously be a bass player. I love having other colours at my disposal, because it leads me down new roads, with new emotional and storytelling possibilities.”
Possibly ruining the evening will be guest artist Hans Groiner, known for removing the best parts of musical ideas. One critic said of his Thelonious Monk interpretations, “Kill me now”……..
Larry Goldings – keyboards
The livestream will be broadcast on YouTube, via a page available when you purchase a ticket through the link below.
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month.
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MATT RIDLEY'S 'THE ANTIDOTE' QUINTET
2022-10-27 20:00 - 22:00 | SoundCellar at The Grasshopper, 139 - 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole, Dorset, BH14 9HT, United Kingdom
It has been a while since we had the excellent bass player and composer Matt Ridley at SoundCellar, so we are thrilled to now welcome him back! He comes to us with his quintet The Antidote, all of whom are former ‘graduates’ of SoundCellar from various ensembles over the years!
Ticket link below
This gig will take place at The Grasshopper, 139 – 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 9HT
The Antidote are an exciting young contemporary jazz quintet, featuring leading lights of the UK scene. Brainchild of bassist Matt Ridley, the music is firmly rooted within the contemporary jazz discipline, and also emanates both rock overtones and classical influences, evolved from decades of genuine passion for music. Matt inhabits his own space within the creative diaspora, being able to navigate a broad spectrum of inspirations and transform them into a vibrant and exciting sound.
The Antidote features the formidable quintet of Alex Hitchcock on saxophone, Ant Law on guitar, Tom Hewson on piano, Marc Michel on drums, and of course Matt Ridley on bass. With an insistence on detailed, expressive and thought-through compositions, Ridley allows time and space for both himself and his band members to express and showcase both their individual and collective talents through dynamic improvisation. The synergy between the group and a mutual understanding of each players’ specific nuances are more than apparent, while still allowing enough freedom for independent flair to shine though.
Combining this with the more melodic and compositional aspects of the music makes for a truly engaging experience. Rather than a ‘leader + sidemen’ attitude, Ridley has cultivated a genuine ‘band’ sound, as Tom Hewson elucidates:
“This project totally captured my imagination from the first minute of rehearsal. Matt has managed to create something full of incredible compositional range whilst staying totally grounded with this immediate, unpretentious sense of energy. As someone that came to jazz through rock and prog, I love that feeling of unshackling, that desire not to hold back from. The whole band really bought into the spirit from the start – something you can really hear on the record, and something that definitely comes across live.”
The eponymous debut album, released in 2021, is a firm favourite of SoundCellar’s John and received glowing reviews from across the globe from coveted publications such as Downbeat Magazine, BBC Music Magazine, Jazzwise, Ivan Rod (Denmark), JazzMania (Belgium) and Presto Music. The album also received a nomination for ‘Best Jazz Album of 2021’ in the 2022 Parliamentary Jazz Awards UK, as well as making the Jazzwise ‘20 best jazz albums of 2021’ (worldwide) list. Incidentally, John also highly recommends the digital-only release of three extra pieces “The Antidote Reloaded” on Matt’s Bandcamp page.
‘One of the strongest releases by homegrown jazz talent in 2021′ **** Editors Choice, Jazzwise Magazine
‘His assuredness shines through in this set of taut, modernist originals, and his band are engaged and supportive’ **** BBC Music Magazine
‘It’s both Ridley’s excellent usage of his collaborators and his penchant for melody that is undoubtedly the main appeal of his music’ Recording of the Week, Presto Music
Line-up
Matt Ridley – Bass
Alex Hitchcock – Sax
Ant Law – Guitar
Tom Hewson – Keys
Marc Michel – Drums
Make sure you catch yet another wonderful young jazz ensemble that we are so pleased to be able to present for your delectation, here in deepest Dorset!
Entry is £13 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £15 on the door (cash or card).
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LIVESTREAM: MATT RIDLEY'S 'THE ANTIDOTE' QUINTET
2022-10-27 20:00 - 22:00 | LIVESTREAM, United Kingdom
It has been a while since we had the excellent bass player and composer Matt Ridley at SoundCellar, so we are thrilled to now welcome him back! He comes to us with his quintet The Antidote, all of whom are former ‘graduates’ of SoundCellar from various ensembles over the years!
Click here for tickets to attend the physical gig.
Livestream Ticket link below
The Antidote are an exciting young contemporary jazz quintet, featuring leading lights of the UK scene. Brainchild of bassist Matt Ridley, the music is firmly rooted within the contemporary jazz discipline, and also emanates both rock overtones and classical influences, evolved from decades of genuine passion for music. Matt inhabits his own space within the creative diaspora, being able to navigate a broad spectrum of inspirations and transform them into a vibrant and exciting sound.
The Antidote features the formidable quintet of Alex Hitchcock on saxophone, Ant Law on guitar, Tom Hewson on piano, Marc Michel on drums, and of course Matt Ridley on bass. With an insistence on detailed, expressive and thought-through compositions, Ridley allows time and space for both himself and his band members to express and showcase both their individual and collective talents through dynamic improvisation. The synergy between the group and a mutual understanding of each players’ specific nuances are more than apparent, while still allowing enough freedom for independent flair to shine though.
Combining this with the more melodic and compositional aspects of the music makes for a truly engaging experience. Rather than a ‘leader + sidemen’ attitude, Ridley has cultivated a genuine ‘band’ sound, as Tom Hewson elucidates:
“This project totally captured my imagination from the first minute of rehearsal. Matt has managed to create something full of incredible compositional range whilst staying totally grounded with this immediate, unpretentious sense of energy. As someone that came to jazz through rock and prog, I love that feeling of unshackling, that desire not to hold back from. The whole band really bought into the spirit from the start – something you can really hear on the record, and something that definitely comes across live.”
The eponymous debut album, released in 2021, is a firm favourite of SoundCellar’s John and received glowing reviews from across the globe from coveted publications such as Downbeat Magazine, BBC Music Magazine, Jazzwise, Ivan Rod (Denmark), JazzMania (Belgium) and Presto Music. The album also received a nomination for ‘Best Jazz Album of 2021’ in the 2022 Parliamentary Jazz Awards UK, as well as making the Jazzwise ‘20 best jazz albums of 2021’ (worldwide) list. Incidentally, John also highly recommends the digital-only release of three extra pieces “The Antidote Reloaded” on Matt’s Bandcamp page.
‘One of the strongest releases by homegrown jazz talent in 2021′ **** Editors Choice, Jazzwise Magazine
‘His assuredness shines through in this set of taut, modernist originals, and his band are engaged and supportive’ **** BBC Music Magazine
‘It’s both Ridley’s excellent usage of his collaborators and his penchant for melody that is undoubtedly the main appeal of his music’ Recording of the Week, Presto Music
Line-up
Matt Ridley – Bass
Alex Hitchcock – Sax
Ant Law – Guitar
Tom Hewson – Keys
Marc Michel – Drums
Make sure you catch yet another wonderful young jazz ensemble that we are so pleased to be able to present for your delectation, here in deepest Dorset!
The livestream will be broadcast on YouTube, via a page available when you purchase a ticket through the link below.
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month.
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THE DOMINIC INGHAM QUINTET (Postponed)
2022-11-10 20:00 - 22:00 | SoundCellar at The Grasshopper, 139 - 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole, Dorset, BH14 9HT, United Kingdom
THIS EVENT IS NOW POSTPONED (but keep the date in your diary, as we will probably have another great ensemble that evening!)
Award winning composer/violinist Dominic Ingham brings his quintet to SoundCellar as part of a national tour. Dominic will be performing music from his upcoming E.P “Letters” alongside some of the most exciting emerging jazz stars in the UK.

This gig will take place at The Grasshopper, 139 – 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 9HT
Ticket link below
Parliamentary Jazz award nominee 2020 and Zbigniew Seifert International Jazz Violin Competition semi-finalist, Dominic Ingham has toured extensively across the UK with his quintet at venues and festivals such as Ronnie Scotts, Love Supreme, Barbican and EFG London Jazz Festival. He is an accomplished and well-rounded musician, a powerful communicator and performer, a composer of captivating original music and a pioneering violinist.
In 2020, Dominic released his debut album ‘Role Models’ to critical acclaim. This self-released record features an arresting suite of lucidly crafted and characterful pieces and showcases Dominic’s distinctive and highly personalised style, rooted in his background of folk and classical music. Dominic and his quintet are set to produce a sound that is as lyrically fresh as it is striking dynamically and rhythmically.
Line-up
Dominic Ingham – violin
Jonny Mansfield – vibraphone
Miles Mindlin – guitar
Will Sach – bass
Jay Davis – drums
Entry is £13 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £15 on the door (cash or card).
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JAMIE MURRAY 'EVOLUTION' feat. David Binney
2022-11-13 19:30 - 21:30 | SoundCellar at The Grasshopper, 139 - 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole, Dorset, BH14 9HT, United Kingdom
One of the top drummers on the scene today, Jamie Murray makes his SoundCellar debut with his all star group ‘Evolution’, featuring US alto sax virtuoso David Binney, legendary UK electric bassist Laurence Cottle and rising star guitarist David Preston.
This gig will take place at The Grasshopper, 139 – 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 9HT.
Please note 7.30pm start time.

Ticket link below
Jamie Murray has played with the likes of Gary Husband, Tim Lefebvre, Donny McCaslin, Gwilym Simcock, Emma Rawicz, Binker Golding and many others. A forward thinking and conceptual player with a solid groove style yet he has an open-minded approach to free experimentation. His performances are always fresh and exhilarating! Jamie has a strong sense of writing, his compositions are personal and original with an Electronic/Jazz /Fusion style attached to them.
Acclaimed saxophonist/composer David Binney is one of the most prolific jazz musicians on the scene today. Winning praise from critics and colleagues alike, David was recently singled out by Jazz Times as one of a handful of “players who have created an alternative jazz-scene… all of whom are playing adventurous, original music.”
David has recorded 20+ albums as leader or co-leader and recorded on more than 300 other albums.
Known for his performances and recordings with such prestigious groups as Knower (Louis Cole, Genevieve Artadi), Chrissie Hynde, the big bands of Gil Evans and Maria Schneider, as well as with Jim Hall, Uri Caine, Vinicius Cantuaria, Carlinhos Brown, Norah Jones, Bobby Previte, Cecil McBee quintet and countless others. David was also a co-founder of the hard-edged quintet “Lost Tribe” and the open-form collective quartet “Lan Xang.”
“Dave has long been one of my favorite musicians” – Pat Metheny
“…a strikingly original composer, leader, conceptualist.” – DownBeat Magazine
“David Binney possesses one of the most original minds in contemporary music.” – Stereophile
Laurence Cottle has been the bassist of choice for some of the biggest names in music. His remarkable and varied career has spanned gigs with top jazz players, recording for major Hollywood movie soundtracks and session work with some of the biggest names in rock and pop. He has worked with Alan Price, Van Morrison, Brian Eno, Seal, Gary Moore, Eric Clapton, Black Sabbath and Mike Oldfield. His jazz credentials are impeccable, including work with the likes of Jim Mullen, Django Bates, Gary Husband, Jason Rebello and Al Jarreau plus he is a regular part of Ronnie Scott’s All Stars.
David Preston is a guitarist, composer and producer who has recorded and performed with the likes of Curtis Stigers, The Heritage Orchestra, Goldie, Martin Taylor, Empirical, Patrick Cornelius, Ivo Neame, Charlotte Church, Ayanna Witter Johnson, and UK beat-boxing star Shlomo. Highlights of many of his diverse projects include touring, recording and writing with Melody Gardot from 2009 to 2012 and again in 2017, and he made quite an impression performing on, co-writing and co-producing singer Ian Shaw’s 2008 album “Lifejacket”. In 2013 he joined former Nucleus/Loose Tubes saxophonist Tim Whitehead’s Homemade Orchestra, playing a 50-date UK tour and in 2015 he appeared with Carlos Acosta CBE onstage at the Royal Opera House for 6 nights in the stage production of ‘Cubania’. He also plays with his own internationally recognised contemporary jazz trio ‘Preston-Glasgow-Lowe’ who released their debut album in 2016 on Whirlwind Records.
Line-up
Jamie Murray – drums
David Binney – alto saxophone
David Preston – guitar
Laurence Cottle – bass
Entry is £15 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £18 on the door (cash or card).
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LIVESTREAM: JAMIE MURRAY 'EVOLUTION' feat. David Binney
2022-11-13 19:30 - 21:30 | LIVESTREAM, United Kingdom
One of the top drummers on the scene today, Jamie Murray makes his SoundCellar debut with his all star group ‘Evolution’, featuring US alto sax virtuoso David Binney, legendary UK electric bassist Laurence Cottle and rising star guitarist David Preston.
Click here for tickets to attend the physical gig. Livestream Ticket link below
Please note 7.30pm start time.
Jamie Murray has played with the likes of Gary Husband, Tim Lefebvre, Donny McCaslin, Gwilym Simcock, Emma Rawicz, Binker Golding and many others. A forward thinking and conceptual player with a solid groove style yet he has an open-minded approach to free experimentation. His performances are always fresh and exhilarating! Jamie has a strong sense of writing, his compositions are personal and original with an Electronic/Jazz /Fusion style attached to them.
Acclaimed saxophonist/composer David Binney is one of the most prolific jazz musicians on the scene today. Winning praise from critics and colleagues alike, David was recently singled out by Jazz Times as one of a handful of “players who have created an alternative jazz-scene… all of whom are playing adventurous, original music.”
David has recorded 20+ albums as leader or co-leader and recorded on more than 300 other albums.
Known for his performances and recordings with such prestigious groups as Knower (Louis Cole, Genevieve Artadi), Chrissie Hynde, the big bands of Gil Evans and Maria Schneider, as well as with Jim Hall, Uri Caine, Vinicius Cantuaria, Carlinhos Brown, Norah Jones, Bobby Previte, Cecil McBee quintet and countless others. David was also a co-founder of the hard-edged quintet “Lost Tribe” and the open-form collective quartet “Lan Xang.”
“Dave has long been one of my favorite musicians” – Pat Metheny
“…a strikingly original composer, leader, conceptualist.” – DownBeat Magazine
“David Binney possesses one of the most original minds in contemporary music.” – Stereophile
Laurence Cottle has been the bassist of choice for some of the biggest names in music. His remarkable and varied career has spanned gigs with top jazz players, recording for major Hollywood movie soundtracks and session work with some of the biggest names in rock and pop. He has worked with Alan Price, Van Morrison, Brian Eno, Seal, Gary Moore, Eric Clapton, Black Sabbath and Mike Oldfield. His jazz credentials are impeccable, including work with the likes of Jim Mullen, Django Bates, Gary Husband, Jason Rebello and Al Jarreau plus he is a regular part of Ronnie Scott’s All Stars.
David Preston is a guitarist, composer and producer who has recorded and performed with the likes of Curtis Stigers, The Heritage Orchestra, Goldie, Martin Taylor, Empirical, Patrick Cornelius, Ivo Neame, Charlotte Church, Ayanna Witter Johnson, and UK beat-boxing star Shlomo. Highlights of many of his diverse projects include touring, recording and writing with Melody Gardot from 2009 to 2012 and again in 2017, and he made quite an impression performing on, co-writing and co-producing singer Ian Shaw’s 2008 album “Lifejacket”. In 2013 he joined former Nucleus/Loose Tubes saxophonist Tim Whitehead’s Homemade Orchestra, playing a 50-date UK tour and in 2015 he appeared with Carlos Acosta CBE onstage at the Royal Opera House for 6 nights in the stage production of ‘Cubania’. He also plays with his own internationally recognised contemporary jazz trio ‘Preston-Glasgow-Lowe’ who released their debut album in 2016 on Whirlwind Records.
Line-up
Jamie Murray – drums
David Binney – alto saxophone
David Preston – guitar
Laurence Cottle – bass

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RANDOLPH MATTHEWS & NICOLAS MEIER
2022-11-24 20:00 - 22:00 | SoundCellar at The Grasshopper, 139 - 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole, Dorset, BH14 9HT, United Kingdom
Randolph Matthews & Nicolas Meier’s unique, genre-crossing vocal/guitar jazz duo has cast its passionate musical spell around the world, capturing the hearts of lovers, the respect of jazz buffs, & the jaw-dropping awe of guitarists and singers.
This gig will take place at The Grasshopper, 139 – 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 9HT
Ticket link below
Randolph Matthews has been captivating international crowds for two decades now, working with the A-list likes of Herbie Hancock, Mulatu Astatke, Richard Bona, Angelique Kidjo, Bennie Maupin and Monty Alexander and winning accolades including a Best Live Performance nomination at the 2018 Jazz FM Awards along the way. His live shows are testaments to the power and potential of the free experimental voice, each show imbued with the sort of fourth-wall-smashing dynamism so intrinsic to the roots of jazz. Randolph will be releasing a new album call Black Salt in the Autumn 2022.
“The rich enveloping world of Randolph Matthews.” Jazzwise.
“A stunning, McFerrin-esque talent.” Songlines.
“Dazzling improvisational skills. Flawless and world class.” Jazz FM.
UK-based guitarist Nicolas Meier has carved a reputation out as one of the world’s most original and uniquely talented guitarists. Drawing from a love of Turkish, Eastern & Middle Eastern music, Flamenco, Tango and more — all mixed with jazz — Meier’s versatility and musical fluency extends well beyond that, even. (… so much so, that his considerable talents drew the attention of rock guitar legend, Jeff Beck, who made Nicolas a mainstay in The Jeff Beck Group — carrying him on two world tours during the course of the last several years.
“Meier’s scintillating playing on assorted fretted and fretless guitars is sometimes reminiscent of Metheny or McLaughlin but with a highly melodic, pan-Mediterranean eclecticism of his own…” Jim Gilchrist (Scotsman4/5*)
“Nicolas Meier is one of the most virtuoso artists on the acoustic guitar” Roland Leicht www.prog-rock.info
Randolph Matthews – vocals
Nicolas Meier – guitar
Entry is £13 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £15 on the door (cash or card).
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LIVESTREAM: RANDOLPH MATTHEWS & NICOLAS MEIER
2022-11-24 20:00 - 22:00 | LIVESTREAM, United Kingdom
Randolph Matthews & Nicolas Meier’s unique, genre-crossing vocal/guitar jazz duo has cast its passionate musical spell around the world, capturing the hearts of lovers, the respect of jazz buffs, & the jaw-dropping awe of guitarists and singers.
Click here for tickets to attend the physical gig.
Livestream Ticket link below
Randolph Matthews has been captivating international crowds for two decades now, working with the A-list likes of Herbie Hancock, Mulatu Astatke, Richard Bona, Angelique Kidjo, Bennie Maupin and Monty Alexander and winning accolades including a Best Live Performance nomination at the 2018 Jazz FM Awards along the way. His live shows are testaments to the power and potential of the free experimental voice, each show imbued with the sort of fourth-wall-smashing dynamism so intrinsic to the roots of jazz. Randolph will be releasing a new album call Black Salt in the Autumn 2022.
“The rich enveloping world of Randolph Matthews.” Jazzwise.
“A stunning, McFerrin-esque talent.” Songlines.
“Dazzling improvisational skills. Flawless and world class.” Jazz FM.
UK-based guitarist Nicolas Meier has carved a reputation out as one of the world’s most original and uniquely talented guitarists. Drawing from a love of Turkish, Eastern & Middle Eastern music, Flamenco, Tango and more — all mixed with jazz — Meier’s versatility and musical fluency extends well beyond that, even. (… so much so, that his considerable talents drew the attention of rock guitar legend, Jeff Beck, who made Nicolas a mainstay in The Jeff Beck Group — carrying him on two world tours during the course of the last several years.
“Meier’s scintillating playing on assorted fretted and fretless guitars is sometimes reminiscent of Metheny or McLaughlin but with a highly melodic, pan-Mediterranean eclecticism of his own…” Jim Gilchrist (Scotsman4/5*)
“Nicolas Meier is one of the most virtuoso artists on the acoustic guitar” Roland Leicht www.prog-rock.info
Randolph Matthews – vocals
Nicolas Meier – guitar
The livestream will be broadcast on YouTube, via a page available when you purchase a ticket through the link below.
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month.
Share this event

THE DORSET YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA
2022-12-04 19:00 - 21:00 | SoundCellar at The Grasshopper, 139 - 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole, Dorset, BH14 9HT, United Kingdom
Dorset Youth Jazz Orchestra (DYJO) is an intermediate to advanced youth jazz orchestra led by renowned local jazz musician Terry Quinney. The group has enjoyed a busy gigging calendar with many performances at local music festivals and events.
DYJO is made up of the big band instrument mix including: trumpet, trombone, saxophone, electric guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, drum kit, double bass and voice.
This gig will take place at The Grasshopper, 139 – 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 9HT
PLEASE NOTE 7pm start.
Admission is free (donations most welcome) but seats must be booked in advance by emailing: soundcellarmusic@yahoo.co.uk
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THE JEREMY STACEY QUARTET
2022-12-08 20:00 - 22:00 | Dorset
World class drummer JEREMY STACEY returns to SoundCellar with a quartet featuring rising star EMMA RAWICZ on saxophone, one of the UK’s leading jazz pianists, TOM CAWLEY and UK bass legend MICK HUTTON.
This gig will take place at The Jazz Cafe Sandbanks, 28 Shore Road, Poole, BH13 7PJ.

SOLD OUT but livestream tickets still available here, which include access to a video of the gig for a month afterwards, even if you can’t watch it on the night
Jeremy Stacey is equally at home playing pop, rock, funk or straight ahead jazz. Jeremy’s CV is vast, he recently toured the world as a member of King Crimson and his numerous pop/rock credits include Tom Jones, Sheryl Crow, Steven Wilson, Eric Clapton, The Finn Brothers, Noel Gallagher, The Eurythmics, Joe Cocker and Robbie Williams. In a jazz context he has worked with Wayne Krantz, Jason Rebello, Jim Mullen, Iain Ballamy, Tim Garland & many others.
Emma Rawicz is a multi-award winning young saxophonist and composer, already making waves on the UK music scene. She has been described as “An astonishing new talent” (Jamie Cullum – BBC Radio 2), ‘a force to be reckoned with’ (Jazzwise) and ‘a fast-rising star’ (London Jazz News). At the age of 20 she has already recorded and released an eagerly awaited debut album ‘Incantation’ featuring Ant Law, made up entirely of her original compositions. Emma’s second album, recorded in summer 2022 and features an all-star band of Ivo Neame, Ant Law, Conor Chaplin and Asaf Sirkis.
Tom Cawley is one of the UK’s leading jazz pianists. He has performed worldwide – in major clubs, venues and festivals – with some of the country’s leading artists, most notably Peter Gabriel, with whom he has also recorded two albums and a live DVD. As an artist in his own right he has performed, recorded and broadcast extensively over the last ten years. His group, Curios, won Best Band the 2008 BBC Jazz Awards, and their three albums have been hugely critically acclaimed – described as “extraordianary” in MOJO, “spellbinding” in The Independent, “fantastic” in Time Out and “a shining light for British jazz” in Musician magazine. They have performed at the Barbican, the Royal Festival Hall, Ronnie Scott’s and at all of the UK’s major jazz festivals, as well as in Europe (most notably at North Sea Jazz).
Mick Hutton is known from the British jazz scene by his work with Harry Beckett (Pictures of You, 1985) and with Julian Argüelles, Iain Ballamy, Django Bates and Ken Stubbs (First House), the Chris Biscoe Sextet and Bill Bruford’s Band Earthworks. In addition, Hutton worked throughout his career with Alan Barnes, Peter Erskine, Tina May, Jim Mullen, John Scofield, Alan Skidmore, Tommy Smith, John Taylor, Stan Tracey, and Kenny Wheeler. In 2002 he played on Robin Williamsons album Skirting the River Road, and the same year he played in a trio with Martin Speake and Paul Motian (Change of Heart).
Jeremy Stacey – drums
Emma Rawicz – saxophone
Tom Cawley – piano
Mick Hutton – bass
Entry is £18 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £22 on the door (cash or card).
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LIVESTREAM: THE JEREMY STACEY QUARTET
2022-12-08 20:01 - 22:01 | LIVESTREAM, United Kingdom
World class drummer JEREMY STACEY returns to SoundCellar with a quartet featuring rising star EMMA RAWICZ on saxophone, one of the UK’s leading jazz pianists, TOM CAWLEY and UK bass legend MICK HUTTON.
Ticket link below
Jeremy Stacey is equally at home playing pop, rock, funk or straight ahead jazz. Jeremy’s CV is vast, he recently toured the world as a member of King Crimson and his numerous pop/rock credits include Tom Jones, Sheryl Crow, Steven Wilson, Eric Clapton, The Finn Brothers, Noel Gallagher, The Eurythmics, Joe Cocker and Robbie Williams. In a jazz context he has worked with Wayne Krantz, Jason Rebello, Jim Mullen, Iain Ballamy, Tim Garland & many others.
Emma Rawicz is a multi-award winning young saxophonist and composer, already making waves on the UK music scene. She has been described as “An astonishing new talent” (Jamie Cullum – BBC Radio 2), ‘a force to be reckoned with’ (Jazzwise) and ‘a fast-rising star’ (London Jazz News). At the age of 20 she has already recorded and released an eagerly awaited debut album ‘Incantation’ featuring Ant Law, made up entirely of her original compositions. Emma’s second album, recorded in summer 2022 and features an all-star band of Ivo Neame, Ant Law, Conor Chaplin and Asaf Sirkis.
Tom Cawley is one of the UK’s leading jazz pianists. He has performed worldwide – in major clubs, venues and festivals – with some of the country’s leading artists, most notably Peter Gabriel, with whom he has also recorded two albums and a live DVD. As an artist in his own right he has performed, recorded and broadcast extensively over the last ten years. His group, Curios, won Best Band the 2008 BBC Jazz Awards, and their three albums have been hugely critically acclaimed – described as “extraordianary” in MOJO, “spellbinding” in The Independent, “fantastic” in Time Out and “a shining light for British jazz” in Musician magazine. They have performed at the Barbican, the Royal Festival Hall, Ronnie Scott’s and at all of the UK’s major jazz festivals, as well as in Europe (most notably at North Sea Jazz).
Mick Hutton is known from the British jazz scene by his work with Harry Beckett (Pictures of You, 1985) and with Julian Argüelles, Iain Ballamy, Django Bates and Ken Stubbs (First House), the Chris Biscoe Sextet and Bill Bruford’s Band Earthworks. In addition, Hutton worked throughout his career with Alan Barnes, Peter Erskine, Tina May, Jim Mullen, John Scofield, Alan Skidmore, Tommy Smith, John Taylor, Stan Tracey, and Kenny Wheeler. In 2002 he played on Robin Williamsons album Skirting the River Road, and the same year he played in a trio with Martin Speake and Paul Motian (Change of Heart).
Jeremy Stacey – drums
Emma Rawicz – saxophone
Tom Cawley – piano
Mick Hutton – bass
All tickets give access to a video of the gig for a month afterwards
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JOHN LAW / IAIN BALLAMY quartet (Robert Mitchell’s True Think postponed)
2023-01-05 20:00 - 22:00 | SoundCellar at The Grasshopper, 139 - 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole, Dorset, BH14 9HT, United Kingdom
Unfortunately due to illness, with more than one member of the band stricken at the last minute, Robert Mitchell’s True Think have had to postpone their gig with us tonight.
However, we are extremely fortunate that one of SoundCellar’s favourite musicians, pianist JOHN LAW has been able to step into the breach at very short notice. Not only that, but we are delighted that he will bring with him a true UK jazz legend, award winning saxophonist IAIN BALLAMY to perform for us, as part of a Quartet.
As most of you will know, Iain has been at the forefront of the jazz world for many years, having played with a veritable ‘who’s who’ of international musicians, as well as being a member of such acclaimed ensembles as Loose Tubes, Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, Quercus and others.
We therefore hope that you will still want to come tonight for an evening of very high quality jazz and if so, your Robert Mitchell ticket will be valid for John and Iain’s performance.
If however you wish to cancel altogether, simply let us know via email (soundcellarmusic@yahoo.co.uk) and we will refund your ticket in full.
We wish the members of Robert’s band all the best for a speedy recovery and look forward to getting them back to SoundCellar soon. In the meantime we sincerely hope you make it to The Grasshopper as planned this evening for what will undoubtedly be a fantastic gig.
This gig will take place at The Grasshopper, 139 – 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 9HT
Ticket link below
Entry is £15 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £18 on the door (cash or card).
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LIVESTREAM: ROBERT MITCHELL'S TRUE THINK -Postponed.
2023-01-05 20:01 - 22:00 | LIVESTREAM, United Kingdom
One of the most significant voices in British Jazz, Robert Mitchell, returns to SoundCellar with his latest highly acclaimed True Think project.
Click here for tickets to attend the physical gig.
Livestream Ticket link below
Robert Mitchell is a multi-faceted creator, pianist, composer, improviser, writer, poet and much more. As Gilles Peterson put it, “a very important, influential musician”. True Think is a multi-generational, multi-cultural reflection of several periods of Robert Mitchell’s journey. They will perform music from their debut double album of powerful songs of protest, love and peace: ‘Hold The Light/The New Resistance’ DOF004/Bucks Records Ltd. This was recently released to a full house at Ronnie Scotts.
Robert will be joined on stage by Liselotte Östblom on vocals, multi-instrumentalist Zayn Mohammed on guitar, bassist/keys player Tom Mason, and drummer/percussionist Saleem Raman. Together, they blend electronic, jazz, RnB, spoken word, film and folk influences to create a unique sound. The album features an amazing array of international guests including SoundCellar alumni Alicia Olatuja, Alice Zawadzki & grammy nominated Becca Stevens, soul legends Omar, Carleen Anderson and Deborah Jordan, along with Kingdom Choir member Sharlene-Monique and many others.
Robert Mitchell – keyboards
Liselotte Östblom – vocals
Zayn Mohammed – guitar
Tom Mason – bass
Saleem Raman – drums
The livestream will be broadcast on YouTube, via a page available when you purchase a ticket through the link below.
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month.

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JO LAWRY'S ACROBATS TRIO
2023-01-13 20:00 - 22:00 | SoundCellar at The Grasshopper, 139 - 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole, Dorset, BH14 9HT, United Kingdom
Australian vocalist Jo Lawry brings her Acrobats Trio to SoundCellar, in a special Friday evening performance at The Grasshopper.
This gig will take place at The Grasshopper, 139 – 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 9HT
Ticket link below
Australian vocalist Jo Lawry has forged an impressive solo career with a global fan base, while learning deep respect as a ‘musician’s singer’ within and beyond jazz circles. She’s also spent nearly a decade performing and recording with Sting and has worked with Paul Simon and Peter Gabriel. The two albums she released as a singer/songwriter/producer, Taking Pictures (2015) and The Bathtub and the Sea (2017) garnered critical acclaim. Now, more than 10 years since her last solo jazz album, Lawry presents her new live project and chordless band Acrobats Trio, and album of the same name (Whirlwind Recordings, FEB 2023), unequivocally returning to the genre alongside globally in-demand bassist Orlando le Fleming and versatile drummer Allison Miller (Linda May Han Oh features on double bass on the album).
Orlando le Fleming is among the most proficient and accomplished bassists in the field of contemporary jazz. His virtuoso technique, boundless creativity and powerful beat are those of a musician who has found himself, humbly, occupying a space in the uppermost stratum of American improvised music.
Originally from the UK, Le Fleming’s 2003 move to New York City was a timely one. Soon after arriving stateside, Orlando joined Jane Monheit’s band, consequently sharing the bass duties on her 2004 release Taking a Chance on Love with Ron Carter and Christian McBride; the year following, he recorded with jazz legend Jimmy Cobb. In the years since, leaders as diverse as Branford Marsalis, Joey Calderazzo, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Bill Charlap, Billy Cobham, Seamus Blake, Wayne Krantz, and David Sanchez have relied on Le Fleming’s firm beat and eloquent counterpoint to propel their rhythm sections forward. While he succeeds as a sideman, Orlando has released several albums as a leader and co leader working alongside musicians such as Will Vinson, Lage Lund, Antonio Sanchez, Kurt Elling, Mark Turner and Jeff “Tain” Watts.
Allison Miller is a NYC-based drummer/composer/teacher who engages her deep roots in improvisation as a vehicle to explore all music. Described by critics as a Modern Jazz Icon in the Making, Miller won Downbeat magazine’s 67th Annual Critics Poll “Rising Star Drummer” and JazzTimes magazine’s Critics Poll. Her composition, “Otis Was a Polar Bear”, is included on NPR’s list of The 200 Greatest Songs by 21st Century Women+. She is also the first recipient of the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation’s Commissioning Grant. In January 2020 Miller along with her band, Boom Tic Boom, tap dancer-Claudia Rahardjanoto, and video designer-Todd Winkler premiered this new multimedia suite, In Our Veins, with a seven show tour sponsored by Jazz Touring Network and Mid Atlantic Arts. Miller, a three time Jazz Ambassador for the U.S. State Department, was Monterey Jazz Festival’s 2019 Artist in Residence, alongside bassist/producer Derrick Hodge. She is also a proud member of the critically acclaimed BlueNote recording supergroup Artemis.
As a side-musician, Miller has been the rhythmic force behind such artists as Sara Bareilles, Ani DiFranco, Natalie Merchant, Brandi Carlile, Toshi Reagon, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Patricia Barber, Marty Ehrlich, Ben Allison, and Late Night with Seth Meyers.
Jo Lawry – voice
Orlando le Fleming – double bass
Allison Miller – drums
Entry is £15 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £18 on the door (cash or card).

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LIVESTREAM: JO LAWRY'S ACROBATS TRIO
2023-01-13 20:01 - 22:00 | LIVESTREAM, United Kingdom
Australian vocalist Jo Lawry brings her Acrobats Trio to SoundCellar, in a special Friday evening performance at The Grasshopper.
Click here for tickets to attend the physical gig.
Livestream Ticket link below
Australian vocalist Jo Lawry has forged an impressive solo career with a global fan base, while learning deep respect as a ‘musician’s singer’ within and beyond jazz circles. She’s also spent nearly a decade performing and recording with Sting and has worked with Paul Simon and Peter Gabriel. The two albums she released as a singer/songwriter/producer, Taking Pictures (2015) and The Bathtub and the Sea (2017) garnered critical acclaim. Now, more than 10 years since her last solo jazz album, Lawry presents her new live project and chordless band Acrobats Trio, and album of the same name (Whirlwind Recordings, FEB 2023), unequivocally returning to the genre alongside globally in-demand bassist Orlando le Fleming and versatile drummer Allison Miller (Linda May Han Oh features on double bass on the album).
Orlando le Fleming is among the most proficient and accomplished bassists in the field of contemporary jazz. His virtuoso technique, boundless creativity and powerful beat are those of a musician who has found himself, humbly, occupying a space in the uppermost stratum of American improvised music.
Originally from the UK, Le Fleming’s 2003 move to New York City was a timely one. Soon after arriving stateside, Orlando joined Jane Monheit’s band, consequently sharing the bass duties on her 2004 release Taking a Chance on Love with Ron Carter and Christian McBride; the year following, he recorded with jazz legend Jimmy Cobb. In the years since, leaders as diverse as Branford Marsalis, Joey Calderazzo, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Bill Charlap, Billy Cobham, Seamus Blake, Wayne Krantz, and David Sanchez have relied on Le Fleming’s firm beat and eloquent counterpoint to propel their rhythm sections forward. While he succeeds as a sideman, Orlando has released several albums as a leader and co leader working alongside musicians such as Will Vinson, Lage Lund, Antonio Sanchez, Kurt Elling, Mark Turner and Jeff “Tain” Watts.
Allison Miller is a NYC-based drummer/composer/teacher who engages her deep roots in improvisation as a vehicle to explore all music. Described by critics as a Modern Jazz Icon in the Making, Miller won Downbeat magazine’s 67th Annual Critics Poll “Rising Star Drummer” and JazzTimes magazine’s Critics Poll. Her composition, “Otis Was a Polar Bear”, is included on NPR’s list of The 200 Greatest Songs by 21st Century Women+. She is also the first recipient of the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation’s Commissioning Grant. In January 2020 Miller along with her band, Boom Tic Boom, tap dancer-Claudia Rahardjanoto, and video designer-Todd Winkler premiered this new multimedia suite, In Our Veins, with a seven show tour sponsored by Jazz Touring Network and Mid Atlantic Arts. Miller, a three time Jazz Ambassador for the U.S. State Department, was Monterey Jazz Festival’s 2019 Artist in Residence, alongside bassist/producer Derrick Hodge. She is also a proud member of the critically acclaimed BlueNote recording supergroup Artemis.
As a side-musician, Miller has been the rhythmic force behind such artists as Sara Bareilles, Ani DiFranco, Natalie Merchant, Brandi Carlile, Toshi Reagon, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Patricia Barber, Marty Ehrlich, Ben Allison, and Late Night with Seth Meyers.
Jo Lawry – voice
Orlando le Fleming – double bass
Allison Miller – drums
The livestream will be broadcast on YouTube, via a page available when you purchase a ticket through the link below.
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month.
Share this event

ANT LAW & ALEX HITCHCOCK QUARTET
2023-01-19 20:00 - 22:00 | SoundCellar at The Grasshopper, 139 - 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole, Dorset, BH14 9HT, United Kingdom
Acclaimed as composers as well as instrumentalists, sharing multiple awards, an Ivor Novello nomination and seven albums as leaders between them, Ant Law and Alex Hitchcock return to SoundCellar, following their appearance at The Grasshopper in 2022 (in Matt Ridley’s band).
This gig will take place at The Grasshopper, 139 – 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 9HT.

Ticket link below
Guitarist Ant and saxophonist Alex have each brought their own ensembles to SoundCellar in previous years, but this is the first time they come to us as co-leaders, in support of their highly lauded album Same Moon in the Same World, released in November 2022.
Same Moon in the Same World is an ambitious collaboration between two musicians who have created a startlingly vivid and mature soundworld, brought to life by a carefully-curated selection of the world’s most distinctive and virtuosic improvisors. Recorded in 2020 and 2021 across multiple continents – bridging the gap between London and Tel-Aviv, and Amsterdam and New York, it is testament to both Ant’s and Alex’s burgeoning reputations, that they were able to enlist the services of some of the finest musicians on the planet!
The album brings together a stellar cast of guests performing new compositions: vibraphonist Joel Ross; bassists Linda May Han Oh, Ben Williams and Jasper Høiby; drummers Jeff Ballard, Kendrick Scott, Sun-Mi Hong and Eric Harland; pianist Shai Maestro and saxophonist Tim Garland.
For their SoundCellar performance, Ant and Alex have a fabulous rhythm section, comprising of two further top class international musicians: Conor Chaplin hardly needs any introduction to our SoundCellar audiences, as he is quite simply one of the UK’s most in-demand bassists, and Grammy nominated Cuban drummer extraordinaire Ernesto Simpson (Arturo Sandoval, Richard Bona, Candy Dulfer & many others).
“What a gamechanger he can be”
(Ant Law) The Guardian
“Leading the charge in terms of new jazz music being created in the UK”
(Alex Hitchcock) BBC Radio
Ant Law: Guitar
Alex Hitchcock: Saxophone
Conor Chaplin: Bass
Ernesto Simpson: Drums
Entry is £15 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £18 on the door (cash or card).
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month
Share this event

LIVESTREAM: ANT LAW & ALEX HITCHCOCK QUARTET
2023-01-19 20:01 - 22:00 | LIVESTREAM, United Kingdom
Acclaimed as composers as well as instrumentalists, sharing multiple awards, an Ivor Novello nomination and seven albums as leaders between them, Ant Law and Alex Hitchcock return to SoundCellar, following their appearance at The Grasshopper in 2022 (in Matt Ridley’s band).
Click here for tickets to attend the physical gig.
Livestream Ticket link below
Guitarist Ant and saxophonist Alex have each brought their own ensembles to SoundCellar in previous years, but this is the first time they come to us as co-leaders, in support of their highly lauded album Same Moon in the Same World, released in November 2022.
Same Moon in the Same World is an ambitious collaboration between two musicians who have created a startlingly vivid and mature soundworld, brought to life by a carefully-curated selection of the world’s most distinctive and virtuosic improvisors. Recorded in 2020 and 2021 across multiple continents – bridging the gap between London and Tel-Aviv, and Amsterdam and New York, it is testament to both Ant’s and Alex’s burgeoning reputations, that they were able to enlist the services of some of the finest musicians on the planet!
The album brings together a stellar cast of guests performing new compositions: vibraphonist Joel Ross; bassists Linda May Han Oh, Ben Williams and Jasper Høiby; drummers Jeff Ballard, Kendrick Scott, Sun-Mi Hong and Eric Harland; pianist Shai Maestro and saxophonist Tim Garland.
For their SoundCellar performance, Ant and Alex have a fabulous rhythm section, comprising of two further top class international musicians: Conor Chaplin hardly needs any introduction to our SoundCellar audiences, as he is quite simply one of the UK’s most in-demand bassists, and Grammy nominated Cuban drummer extraordinaire Ernesto Simpson (Arturo Sandoval, Richard Bona, Candy Dulfer & many others).
“What a gamechanger he can be”
(Ant Law) The Guardian
“Leading the charge in terms of new jazz music being created in the UK”
(Alex Hitchcock) BBC Radio
Ant Law: Guitar
Alex Hitchcock: Saxophone
Conor Chaplin: Bass
Ernesto Simpson: Drums
The livestream will be broadcast on YouTube, via a page available when you purchase a ticket through the link below.
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month
Share this event

THE SHIRLEY SMART TRIO
2023-02-05 19:00 - 21:00 | SoundCellar at The Grasshopper, 139 - 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole, Dorset, BH14 9HT, United Kingdom
Shirley Smart is acknowledged as one of the UK’s most versatile and creative cellists. Equally at home and well versed in jazz, folk, Middle Eastern and World Music, as well as classical, she makes her SoundCellar debut with her trio featuring John Crawford on piano and Demi Garcia Sabat on drums/percussion.
This gig will take place at The Grasshopper, 139 – 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 9HT
PLEASE NOTE 7pm start time.
Ticket link below
Originally trained under Raphael Wallfisch at the Guildhall School of Music, and Janos Starker in Paris, Shirley subsequently moved to Jerusalem, where she studied and performed and absorbed the rich and overlapping worlds of North African, Arabic, Turkish and Balkan music as well as jazz, working with some of the region’s leading artists, including Avishai Cohen, Omer Avital, Khaled Jubran, Sabreen and Yasmin Levy.
Since returning to the UK, Shirley has quickly garnered a formidable reputation with her own groups and has worked with many leading jazz and World Music artists, including Antonio Forcione, Mulatu Astatke, Gilad Atzmon, Issie Barratt’s ‘Interchange’, Neil Cowley and with SoundCellar ‘graduates’ Gilad Atzmon, Robert Mitchell, Misha Mullov-Abbado and Alice Zawadzki.
Her debut album ‘Long Story Short’, released in 2018, was critically acclaimed, and she has since performed at festivals around the UK and Europe, including the London Jazz Festival, and Vivacello, Moscow. Highlights for 2020 included the Biennale Festival at Bimhuis, Amsterdam, Birmingham Jazz Festival and a UK tour.
She is a keen educator, and is Head of Performance and Lecturer in Music at City University, as well as teaching Jazz and Improvisation for the RCMJD and LPMAM. She also gives frequent workshops for organisations such as the National Youth Jazz Collective, Jazzlines, and Trinity Laban Conservatoire.
Shirley’s trio draws on her eclectic background to bring together her jazz, blues and world music influences. She is joined by John Crawford, one of the UK’s leading jazz pianists, who shares her interest in Latin and world influenced jazz, and long term collaborator, and flamenco master Demi Garcia Sabat.
” Shirley Smart can now be considered one of the best improvising cellists in the UK” The Jazzmann
“…some of the most inventive use of the cello I have heard for some time..” Kind of Jazz
‘As a cellist-composer she morphs seamlessly from Stephane Grappelli like swing and Bird-like bebop…a charming kaleidoscope and jazzy showcase of her global folk music-inspired compositions’ Jazzwise
‘Intense, lyrical and full of energy….A thrilling range on technique on display…Smart’s cello singing, snarling or pumping out bass lines….fascinating listening, and thought-provoking entertainment for the open-eared” The Arts Desk
“Smart’s playing is particularly remarkable….she readily demonstrates a wide range of techniques incorporating an understanding of improvisation drawn from a jazz background and her extensive knowledge of Arabic maqam…” Songlines
” A fascinating melting pot of musical influences” World Music Central
Shirley Smart – cello
John Crawford – piano
Demi Garcia Sabat – drums/percussion

Entry is £15 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £18 on the door (cash or card).
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month.

Share this event

LIVESTREAM: THE SHIRLEY SMART TRIO
2023-02-05 19:01 - 21:00 | LIVESTREAM, United Kingdom
Shirley Smart is acknowledged as one of the UK’s most versatile and creative cellists. Equally at home and well versed in jazz, folk, Middle Eastern and World Music, as well as classical, she makes her SoundCellar debut with her trio featuring John Crawford on piano and Demi Garcia Sabat on drums/percussion.
Click here for tickets to attend the physical gig.
Livestream Ticket link below
PLEASE NOTE 7pm start time.
Originally trained under Raphael Wallfisch at the Guildhall School of Music, and Janos Starker in Paris, Shirley subsequently moved to Jerusalem, where she studied and performed and absorbed the rich and overlapping worlds of North African, Arabic, Turkish and Balkan music as well as jazz, working with some of the region’s leading artists, including Avishai Cohen, Omer Avital, Khaled Jubran, Sabreen and Yasmin Levy.
Since returning to the UK, Shirley has quickly garnered a formidable reputation with her own groups and has worked with many leading jazz and World Music artists, including Antonio Forcione, Mulatu Astatke, Gilad Atzmon, Issie Barratt’s ‘Interchange’, Neil Cowley and with SoundCellar ‘graduates’ Gilad Atzmon, Robert Mitchell, Misha Mullov-Abbado and Alice Zawadzki.
Her debut album ‘Long Story Short’, released in 2018, was critically acclaimed, and she has since performed at festivals around the UK and Europe, including the London Jazz Festival, and Vivacello, Moscow. Highlights for 2020 included the Biennale Festival at Bimhuis, Amsterdam, Birmingham Jazz Festival and a UK tour.
She is a keen educator, and is Head of Performance and Lecturer in Music at City University, as well as teaching Jazz and Improvisation for the RCMJD and LPMAM. She also gives frequent workshops for organisations such as the National Youth Jazz Collective, Jazzlines, and Trinity Laban Conservatoire.
Shirley’s trio draws on her eclectic background to bring together her jazz, blues and world music influences. She is joined by John Crawford, one of the UK’s leading jazz pianists, who shares her interest in Latin and world influenced jazz, and long term collaborator, and flamenco master Demi Garcia Sabat.
” Shirley Smart can now be considered one of the best improvising cellists in the UK” The Jazzmann
“…some of the most inventive use of the cello I have heard for some time..” Kind of Jazz
‘As a cellist-composer she morphs seamlessly from Stephane Grappelli like swing and Bird-like bebop…a charming kaleidoscope and jazzy showcase of her global folk music-inspired compositions’ Jazzwise
‘Intense, lyrical and full of energy….A thrilling range on technique on display…Smart’s cello singing, snarling or pumping out bass lines….fascinating listening, and thought-provoking entertainment for the open-eared” The Arts Desk
“Smart’s playing is particularly remarkable….she readily demonstrates a wide range of techniques incorporating an understanding of improvisation drawn from a jazz background and her extensive knowledge of Arabic maqam…” Songlines
” A fascinating melting pot of musical influences” World Music Central
Shirley Smart – cello
John Crawford – piano
Demi Garcia Sabat – drums/percussion

The livestream will be broadcast on YouTube, via a page available when you purchase a ticket through the link below.
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month

Share this event

SVARC HANLEY LONGHAWN
2023-02-16 20:00 - 22:00 | SoundCellar at The Grasshopper, 139 - 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole, Dorset, BH14 9HT, United Kingdom
Leeds based guitarist Nik Svarc, drummer Steve Hanley and keyboardist Martin Longhawn bring their funky Hammond trio SVARC HANLEY LONGHAWN to SoundCellar as part of a UK tour.
This gig will take place at The Grasshopper, 139 – 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 9HT.

Ticket link below.

‘Leeds Guitarist Nik Svarc, drummer-percussionist Steve Hanley and keyboardist Martin Longhawn join the dots between Jazz-Rock and Hammond funk, discovering an interesting angle for an old-school sound mixed with some hyper-catchy hooks and grooves’ – Jazzwise magazine.

‘Nik Svarc has the sort of tone that other players can only aspire to and his fantastic command of his instrument is a real highlight of the album. His playing is very evocative and is never cold or lacking in emotion despite its obvious technical quality.’ – DPRP
‘These three push all the buttons, tick all the boxes. You want funk? you got it? You want Jazz? It’s right there. Maybe you want to go a little towards the outside? They’ll take you there and bring you back in one piece.‘ – Bebop Spoken Here
Nik Svarc – electric and acoustic guitars/loops
Steve Hanley – drums/shaker/percussion
Martin Longhawn – organ/Wurlitizer/piano
Entry is £15 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £18 on the door (cash or card).
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month

Share this event

LIVESTREAM: SVARC HANLEY LONGHAWN
2023-02-16 20:01 - 22:00 | LIVESTREAM, United Kingdom
Leeds based guitarist Nik Svarc, drummer Steve Hanley and keyboardist Martin Longhawn bring their funky Hammond trio SVARC HANLEY LONGHAWN to SoundCellar as part of a UK tour.
Click here for tickets to attend the physical gig.
Livestream Ticket link below

‘Leeds Guitarist Nik Svarc, drummer-percussionist Steve Hanley and keyboardist Martin Longhawn join the dots between Jazz-Rock and Hammond funk, discovering an interesting angle for an old-school sound mixed with some hyper-catchy hooks and grooves’ – Jazzwise magazine.

‘Nik Svarc has the sort of tone that other players can only aspire to and his fantastic command of his instrument is a real highlight of the album. His playing is very evocative and is never cold or lacking in emotion despite its obvious technical quality.’ – DPRP
‘These three push all the buttons, tick all the boxes. You want funk? you got it? You want Jazz? It’s right there. Maybe you want to go a little towards the outside? They’ll take you there and bring you back in one piece.‘ – Bebop Spoken Here
Nik Svarc – electric and acoustic guitars/loops
Steve Hanley – drums/shaker/percussion
Martin Longhawn – organ/Wurlitizer/piano
The livestream will be broadcast on YouTube, via a page available when you purchase a ticket through the link below.
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month

Share this event

MARK LOCKHEART'S 'DREAMERS'
2023-03-02 20:00 - 22:00 | SoundCellar at The Grasshopper, 139 - 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole, Dorset, BH14 9HT, United Kingdom
We are excited to present MARK LOCKHEART for his SoundCellar debut, when Mark brings his fabulous band ‘Dreamers’ here to Poole. This new all star group explores Mark’s multi-faceted outlook on music, through a new set of original compositions that can be heard on their 2022 album ‘Dreamers’. Urgent and exciting grooves and textures all cleverly crafted together within Lockheart’s unique and memorable melodies. Wide ranging influences from Ellington and Shorter to John Zorn, the Beatles and even Kraftwerk!
This gig will take place at The Grasshopper, 139 – 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 9HT.

Ticket link below
Mark Lockheart has been at the forefront of contemporary music since he first came to prominence with Loose Tubes in the mid-1980s. Since then he has become a ‘go to’ for many of today’s top artists, across many genres, not least as a member of Polar Bear, as a featured soloist for acclaimed composer Mark Anthony Turnage, as a member of The Printmakers and providing wonderful colour to recent albums by Slowly Rolling Camera (one of SoundCellar John’s absolute favourites).
Mark has released many albums under his own name, ranging from large orchestral works (e.g. 2019’s ‘Days On Earth’ is another of John’s favourites), to smaller ensembles and duos such as his 2019 ‘renaissance’ album ‘Salvator Mundi’ with organist Roger Mayer and his work with pianist Huw Warren.
“From Loose Tubes to Polar Bear and beyond, Lockheart’s capacity to be ahead of the jazz curve is undeniable. In this new band his combination of lyrical economy and harmonic creativity has found three improvisatory soulmates who clearly know how to make the most of his compositions in their own terms” Jazzwise magazine
Mark’s new ensemble Dreamers includes a long overdue return to SoundCellar of Elliot Galvin on keys, along with Tom Herbert on bass and an even longer overdue return of Dave Smith on drums. Elliot is well known to jazz enthusiasts as a member of Laura Jurd’s Dinosaur, for his work with Marius Neset and Binker Golding, and for his own fine albums. Tom is probably best known as an original member of Acoustic Ladyland, as well as Mercury Music Prize nominated bands Polar Bear and The Invisible. Dave has played with many top artists, such as Donny McCaslin, Eddie Henderson, Iain Ballamy and Seth Lakeman. He was also a member of Cloudmaker’s Trio (who played SoundCellar in 2012) and he toured the world as a member of Robert Plant’s band for 6 years.
“Built from the past, but creating vivid potentials for the future, Dreamers is the stuff all good jazz is made of” Jazzwise ****
“The sound of surprise is still with us” BBC Music Magazine ****
“State of the art jazz from a master who refuses to stand still and once again sets the bar very high as he journeys on and ever deeper” Marlbank ****
Mark Lockheart – saxophones
Elliot Galvin – keyboards
Tom Herbert – bass guitar
Dave Smith – drums
Photograph by Joel Baxter
Entry is £15 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £18 on the door (cash or card).
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month
Share this event

LIVESTREAM: MARK LOCKHEART'S 'DREAMERS'
2023-03-02 20:01 - 22:00 | LIVESTREAM, United Kingdom
We are excited to present MARK LOCKHEART for his SoundCellar debut, when Mark brings his fabulous band ‘Dreamers’ here to Poole. This new all star group explores Mark’s multi-faceted outlook on music, through a new set of original compositions that can be heard on their 2022 album ‘Dreamers’. Urgent and exciting grooves and textures all cleverly crafted together within Lockheart’s unique and memorable melodies. Wide ranging influences from Ellington and Shorter to John Zorn, the Beatles and even Kraftwerk!
Click here for tickets to attend the physical gig.
Livestream Ticket link below
Mark Lockheart has been at the forefront of contemporary music since he first came to prominence with Loose Tubes in the mid-1980s. Since then he has become a ‘go to’ for many of today’s top artists, across many genres, not least as a member of Polar Bear, as a featured soloist for acclaimed composer Mark Anthony Turnage, as a member of The Printmakers and providing wonderful colour to recent albums by Slowly Rolling Camera (one of SoundCellar John’s absolute favourites).
Mark has released many albums under his own name, ranging from large orchestral works (e.g. 2019’s ‘Days On Earth’ is another of John’s favourites), to smaller ensembles and duos such as his 2019 ‘renaissance’ album ‘Salvator Mundi’ with organist Roger Mayer and his work with pianist Huw Warren.
“From Loose Tubes to Polar Bear and beyond, Lockheart’s capacity to be ahead of the jazz curve is undeniable. In this new band his combination of lyrical economy and harmonic creativity has found three improvisatory soulmates who clearly know how to make the most of his compositions in their own terms” Jazzwise magazine
Mark’s new ensemble Dreamers includes a long overdue return to SoundCellar of Elliot Galvin on keys, along with Tom Herbert on bass and an even longer overdue return of Dave Smith on drums. Elliot is well known to jazz enthusiasts as a member of Laura Jurd’s Dinosaur, for his work with Marius Neset and Binker Golding, and for his own fine albums. Tom is probably best known as an original member of Acoustic Ladyland, as well as Mercury Music Prize nominated bands Polar Bear and The Invisible. Dave has played with many top artists, such as Donny McCaslin, Eddie Henderson, Iain Ballamy and Seth Lakeman. He was also a member of Cloudmaker’s Trio (who played SoundCellar in 2012) and he toured the world as a member of Robert Plant’s band for 6 years.
“Built from the past, but creating vivid potentials for the future, Dreamers is the stuff all good jazz is made of” Jazzwise ****
“The sound of surprise is still with us” BBC Music Magazine ****
“State of the art jazz from a master who refuses to stand still and once again sets the bar very high as he journeys on and ever deeper” Marlbank ****
Mark Lockheart – saxophones
Elliot Galvin – keyboards
Tom Herbert – bass guitar
Dave Smith – drums
Photograph by Joel Baxter
The livestream will be broadcast on YouTube, via a page available when you purchase a ticket through the link below.
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month
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VÉRONIQUE JOLY & THE SOUNDCELLAR 5
2023-03-16 20:00 - 22:00 | SoundCellar at The Grasshopper, 139 - 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole, Dorset, BH14 9HT, United Kingdom
Paris born vocalist VÉRONIQUE JOLY returns to SoundCellar fronting the new 5 piece house band. Véronique will be presenting songs by Antônio Carlos Jobim, James Taylor, Carla Bley, Freddie Hubbard and others sung in English, French and Portuguese.
This gig will take place at The Grasshopper, 139 – 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 9HT.

Ticket link below
Paris born Véronique started performing live at the age of 17 and paid her dues on the Paris music scene before moving to London in 1992. In the 10 years she was in London, she studied classical vocal technique, formed an artists’ collective, performed and recorded a CD with contemporary pop group L’Orange, wrote and performed several multimedia theatre pieces and sang at many of the capital’s music venues. She has been involved in many diverse projects co-writing and recording a song for the BBC programme Rick Stein: French Odyssey. Her latest projects are collaboration with master vibes player Roger Beaujolais plus her new Getz/Gilberto Bossa Nova project with saxophonist Terry Quinney.
For this gig she will be joined by keyboard player PETE CASE (who has worked with Jason Rebello and the Stacey twins), guitarist ROB PALMER (who has worked with John Law and Theo Travis), Canadian saxophonist TERRY QUINNEY (who has worked with Alan Barnes, Mark Nightingale and Gilad Atzmon), bassist RODNEY TEAGUE (who has worked with Roger Beaujolias and Asaf Sirkis) and regular SoundCellar drummer ANDY CHAPMAN (who last seen at SC with Iain Ballamy and John Law).
Véronique Joly – vocals
Terry Quinney – saxophone
Rob Palmer – guitar
Pete Case – keyboards
Rodney Teague – bass guitar
Andy Chapman – drums
Entry is £12 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £14 on the door (cash or card).
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month
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LIVESTREAM: VÉRONIQUE JOLY & THE SOUNDCELLAR 5
2023-03-16 20:01 - 22:00 | LIVESTREAM, United Kingdom
Paris born vocalist VÉRONIQUE JOLY returns to SoundCellar fronting the new 5 piece house band. Véronique will be presenting songs by Antônio Carlos Jobim, James Taylor, Carla Bley, Freddie Hubbard and others sung in English, French and Portuguese.
Click here for tickets to attend the physical gig.
Livestream Ticket link below
Paris born Véronique started performing live at the age of 17 and paid her dues on the Paris music scene before moving to London in 1992. In the 10 years she was in London, she studied classical vocal technique, formed an artists’ collective, performed and recorded a CD with contemporary pop group L’Orange, wrote and performed several multimedia theatre pieces and sang at many of the capital’s music venues. She has been involved in many diverse projects co-writing and recording a song for the BBC programme Rick Stein: French Odyssey. Her latest projects are collaboration with master vibes player Roger Beaujolais plus her new Getz/Gilberto Bossa Nova project with saxophonist Terry Quinney.
For this gig she will be joined by keyboard player PETE CASE (who has worked with Jason Rebello and the Stacey twins), guitarist ROB PALMER (who has worked with John Law and Theo Travis), Canadian saxophonist TERRY QUINNEY (who has worked with Alan Barnes, Mark Nightingale and Gilad Atzmon), bassist RODNEY TEAGUE (who has worked with Roger Beaujolias and Asaf Sirkis) and regular SoundCellar drummer ANDY CHAPMAN (who last seen at SC with Iain Ballamy and John Law).
Véronique Joly – vocals
Terry Quinney – saxophone
Rob Palmer – guitar
Pete Case – keyboards
Rodney Teague – bass guitar
Andy Chapman – drums
The livestream will be broadcast on YouTube, via a page available when you purchase a ticket through the link below.
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month.
Share this event

KEVIN FIGES' WALLPAPER MUSIC
2023-03-30 20:00 - 22:00 | SoundCellar at The Grasshopper, 139 - 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole, Dorset, BH14 9HT, United Kingdom
Bristol-based saxophonist, flautist, composer and arranger KEVIN FIGES makes a long overdue return to SoundCellar with his latest project WALLPAPER MUSIC.
This gig will take place at The Grasshopper, 139 – 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 9HT.

Ticket link below
Kevin Figes began studying saxophone with Elton Dean and later attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, studying with Tim Garland. He had a notable association performing and recording with Keith Tippett.
Since 2007 Figes has composed and produced many well-received recordings with his own jazz quartet. Recent work includes ‘Changing Times’ (2020) by the Kevin Figes Quartet, which received a 4* review from Dave Gelly in The Guardian, and ‘Wallpaper Music’ (2021) (with the addition of Brigitte Beraha on vocals) which was described as ‘A kaleidoscopic blizzard’ by John Fordham in his 4* review for Jazzwise.
Other projects included 4 Sided Triangle (with Mike Outram), an Octet and the 15 piece big band ‘Resonation’. Figes has played at Ronnie Scott’s with Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley, Bobby Shew and Denny Ilett’s Electric Lady Big Band, of which he is a member. He has also performed on the Park stage at Glastonbury with the music of Barry Gray and major festivals with This Is The Kit. His own quartet have performed nationally and broadcast live from Glastonbury Festival on Radio 3.
Forthcoming work includes compositions for piano, use of experimental methods and found sounds, writing of lyrics in song form and exploring a range of genres including contemporary classical, jazz, free improvisation, folk and rock.
Kevin Figes – saxes/flutes
Brigitte Beraha – voice
Jim Blomfield – keyboards
Ashley John Long – bass
Mark Whitlam – drums
Entry is £15 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £18 on the door (cash or card).
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month
Share this event

LIVESTREAM: KEVIN FIGES' WALLPAPER MUSIC
2023-03-30 20:01 - 22:00 | LIVESTREAM, United Kingdom
Bristol-based saxophonist, flautist, composer and arranger KEVIN FIGES makes a long overdue return to SoundCellar with his latest project WALLPAPER MUSIC.
Click here for tickets to attend the physical gig.
Livestream Ticket link below
Kevin Figes began studying saxophone with Elton Dean and later attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, studying with Tim Garland. He had a notable association performing and recording with Keith Tippett.
Since 2007 Figes has composed and produced many well-received recordings with his own jazz quartet. Recent work includes ‘Changing Times’ (2020) by the Kevin Figes Quartet, which received a 4* review from Dave Gelly in The Guardian, and ‘Wallpaper Music’ (2021) (with the addition of Brigitte Beraha on vocals) which was described as ‘A kaleidoscopic blizzard’ by John Fordham in his 4* review for Jazzwise.
Other projects included 4 Sided Triangle (with Mike Outram), an Octet and the 15 piece big band ‘Resonation’. Figes has played at Ronnie Scott’s with Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley, Bobby Shew and Denny Ilett’s Electric Lady Big Band, of which he is a member. He has also performed on the Park stage at Glastonbury with the music of Barry Gray and major festivals with This Is The Kit. His own quartet have performed nationally and broadcast live from Glastonbury Festival on Radio 3.
Forthcoming work includes compositions for piano, use of experimental methods and found sounds, writing of lyrics in song form and exploring a range of genres including contemporary classical, jazz, free improvisation, folk and rock.
Kevin Figes – saxes/flutes
Brigitte Beraha – voice
Jim Blomfield – keyboards
Ashley John Long – bass
Mark Whitlam – drums
The livestream will be broadcast on YouTube, via a page available when you purchase a ticket through the link below.
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month

Share this event

DUSKI
2023-04-06 20:00 - 22:00 | SoundCellar at The Grasshopper, 139 - 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole, Dorset, BH14 9HT, United Kingdom
DUSKI made their SoundCellar debut in 2018 and we felt it was time to have them back again – this time they come to us as a quartet.
This gig will take place at The Grasshopper, 139 – 141 Bournemouth Rd, Poole BH14 9HT.

Ticket link below
The band began as a chordless trio in darkest Wales comprising of sax, double bass and drums. Piano was added and slowly the jazz styles disappeared, while heavy jams and collective improvising took its place. The piano morphed into different synthesisers and tape loops and the double bass cracked open to reveal its electric counterpart. Standard chord progression melted away to reveal the dark minimalist progressive rock band that is Duski.
“A contemporary group playing fresh, original music that deserves to be seen and heard” – The Jazz Mann
Duski toured the UK three times to promote their eponymous debut album. During this process, the band started developing new music that ended up dominating the set: a new album was on the horizon. The band entered Giant Wafer Studio in September 2018 and took three days to craft the album ‘Make a Wish’. Traditional form of melody and then lots of soloing took a sideline, replaced by group improvisations based more on image and texture. Most of the album was recorded live in a few takes along with overdubbing.
“Duski’s set shows originality, quality and productive collaboration” – Nigel Jarrett, Jazz Journal
“‘Make A Wish’ is a world class album that should propel Duski to the forefront of the UK Jazz scene” – Francis Brown, New Sounds Wales
Duski’s sound evolved again throughout 2020’s lockdown, the result of which is their most recent release 2021’s “Pillow Talk Sessions 1” on Ropeadope. Conversations between tenor saxophone & double bass entwine; drawing out delicate notes that allow space for reflection with brooding overtones of tension ever-present. Aidan Thorne struts along the double bass, bowing earthly drones for Greg Sterland’s searching tenor saxophone reminiscent of the considered European jazz leanings of early Portico Quartet. Another welcome addition to the impressive British jazz scene.
This SoundCellar gig will feature an eclectic mix of ‘Pillow Talk’ improvisations, along with ‘Make A Wish’ group material – an evening not to be missed!
Aidan Thorne: Bass
Greg Sterland: Saxes
Paul Jones: Keyboards
Matt Holmes: Drums
Entry is £15 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £18 on the door (cash or card).
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month
Share this event

LIVESTREAM: DUSKI
2023-04-06 20:01 - 22:00 | LIVESTREAM, United Kingdom
DUSKI made their SoundCellar debut in 2018 and we felt it was time to have them back again – this time they come to us as a quartet.
Click here for tickets to attend the physical gig.
Livestream Ticket link below
The band began as a chordless trio in darkest Wales comprising of sax, double bass and drums. Piano was added and slowly the jazz styles disappeared, while heavy jams and collective improvising took its place. The piano morphed into different synthesisers and tape loops and the double bass cracked open to reveal its electric counterpart. Standard chord progression melted away to reveal the dark minimalist progressive rock band that is Duski.
“A contemporary group playing fresh, original music that deserves to be seen and heard” – The Jazz Mann
Duski toured the UK three times to promote their eponymous debut album. During this process, the band started developing new music that ended up dominating the set: a new album was on the horizon. The band entered Giant Wafer Studio in September 2018 and took three days to craft the album ‘Make a Wish’. Traditional form of melody and then lots of soloing took a sideline, replaced by group improvisations based more on image and texture. Most of the album was recorded live in a few takes along with overdubbing.
“Duski’s set shows originality, quality and productive collaboration” – Nigel Jarrett, Jazz Journal
“‘Make A Wish’ is a world class album that should propel Duski to the forefront of the UK Jazz scene” – Francis Brown, New Sounds Wales
Duski’s sound evolved again throughout 2020’s lockdown, the result of which is their most recent release 2021’s “Pillow Talk Sessions 1” on Ropeadope. Conversations between tenor saxophone & double bass entwine; drawing out delicate notes that allow space for reflection with brooding overtones of tension ever-present. Aidan Thorne struts along the double bass, bowing earthly drones for Greg Sterland’s searching tenor saxophone reminiscent of the considered European jazz leanings of early Portico Quartet. Another welcome addition to the impressive British jazz scene.
This SoundCellar gig will feature an eclectic mix of ‘Pillow Talk’ improvisations, along with ‘Make A Wish’ group material – an evening not to be missed!
Aidan Thorne: Bass
Greg Sterland: Saxes
Paul Jones: Keyboards
Matt Holmes: Drums
The livestream will be broadcast on YouTube, via a page available when you purchase a ticket through the link below.
All advance ticket buyers will receive an exclusive link to a video of the evening’s performance, available for one month
Share this event
