SoundCellar

Al Swainger’s Pointless Beauty
2021-11-18 20:15 - 22:15 (Europe/London)
POINTLESS BEAUTY is the ongoing passion project of bassist, digital artist, composer and producer Al Swainger.
Ticket link below
Please note the venue is upstairs at THE AVOCET (formerly The Cow – next to Parkstone Railway Station)
Growing up Al learned to play a variety of instruments (bass, piano, french horn, guitar), program computer sequencers, synths & fx pedals and developed a very wide taste in listening. As inspired by Weather Report as Iron Maiden, Pink Floyd, Radiohead or Chick Corea, it’s no surprise that Al’s authentic voice comes from some very eclectic places when it comes to expressing himself as performer and composer.
In the spirit of curating an ever evolving narrative experience, the project has no fixed membership. Drawing on players appropriate to the situation from recording to recording and gig to gig, keeps the output fresh and joyfully eclectic.
Jon Clark has been a regular collaborator since 2016, appearing on the Biophosmos : Music of Chick Corea album and upcoming Pointless Beauty – Hearts Full of Grace. He previously studied percussion in Cuba, also in India (with Shakti percussionist Neyveli Venkadesh) and at the Conservatorio Superior de Musica, Salamanca. He led ‘The Odd Little Group’ (a free improvised sax trio) and performed with ‘Dirty Pie’ (an ad lib hip hop ensemble), as well as working with the London Improvisers Orchestra, BeiBei Wang, Cleveland Watkiss and Orphy Robinson.
Saxophonist Jon Lloyd has played on the UK jazz and improvised music scene for over 30 years, working with the likes of John Law, Asaf Sirkis, Paul Clarvis, Stan Adler, Michel Pilz and Gerry Hemingway. Jon has released numerous critically acclaimed albums as a leader.
“Ambitious and virtuosic…Jon Lloyd is one of the most strikingwriters at the sharp end of British jazz and improvisation” John Fordham, The Guardian
Guitarist Rob Palmer has worked with saxophonist Theo Travis, pianist John Law, vibes player Roger Beaujolais, USA vocalist Lila Ammons and is a member of the ambient/groove/electronica trio Echo Engine.
Entry is £13 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £15 cash on the door

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LIVESTREAM - Philip Clouts Quartet
2021-11-04 20:15 - 22:15 | SoundCellar presents: In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation direct to your ‘own space’ via Zoom
We are making this gig available as a livestream over Zoom for those who are unable to attend in person.
Having played SoundCellar in 2011, as well as being one of our successful lockdown In Our Own Space artists last year, we welcome back PHILIP CLOUTS and his Quartet, bringing us melodic jazz with inspirations from around the world.
Click here for tickets to come to the physical gigLivestream Ticket link below
Cape Town-born pianist/composer Clouts’ South African roots have inspired a voyage of discovery that has led to him soaking up the joyful passion of Caribbean calypso, the bluesy melodies of middle eastern praise songs, the exuberant sway of Cuban dance music and the tuneful essence of Gospel while honouring jazz heroes including Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Charles Lloyd.
As a key member of the popular London-based world jazz ensemble Zubop and its offshoot ZubopGambia, with BBC World Music award-winner Juldeh Camara, Clouts created a solid body of work with African roots and since moving to Dorset in 2006 he has responded to his new surroundings with impressionistic compositions that complement his world music interests, resonating with strong themes and packing a mighty rhythmical punch.
The latest CD from the Philip Clouts Quartet is one of the first wave of releases on the new jazz imprint from prestigious label Odradek Records. On this album, entitled Umoya (named from the Zulu word for life force), Clouts’ African inspirations extend beyond Cape jazz to Gnawa music and Afrobeat, and further to pan-European folksong and soul-jazz.
Joined by other previous SoundCellar performers rising star saxophonist Samuel Eagles, bassist Tim Fairhall and drummer Ted Carrasco, he brings his musical journey alive with superb musicianship and infectious vigour.
“The best of British jazz” Chris Phillips Jazz FM “Precise ebullience and relaxed funkiness” The Guardian
“Clouts’ compositions are strong and likeable. The quartet’s playing is similarly engaging, a feeling of optimism pervading the tunes with a life force of its own” All About Jazz
Tickets for the Livestream are £6 + booking fee in advance through the below link.

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Philip Clouts Quartet
2021-11-04 20:15 - 22:15
Having played SoundCellar in 2011, as well as being one of our successful lockdown In Our Own Space artists last year, we welcome back PHILIP CLOUTS and his Quartet, bringing us melodic jazz with inspirations from around the world.
Ticket link below
Please note the venue is upstairs at THE AVOCET (formerly The Cow – next to Parkstone Railway Station)
Cape Town-born pianist/composer Clouts’ South African roots have inspired a voyage of discovery that has led to him soaking up the joyful passion of Caribbean calypso, the bluesy melodies of middle eastern praise songs, the exuberant sway of Cuban dance music and the tuneful essence of Gospel while honouring jazz heroes including Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Charles Lloyd.
As a key member of the popular London-based world jazz ensemble Zubop and its offshoot ZubopGambia, with BBC World Music award-winner Juldeh Camara, Clouts created a solid body of work with African roots and since moving to Dorset in 2006 he has responded to his new surroundings with impressionistic compositions that complement his world music interests, resonating with strong themes and packing a mighty rhythmical punch.
The latest CD from the Philip Clouts Quartet is one of the first wave of releases on the new jazz imprint from prestigious label Odradek Records. On this album, entitled Umoya (named from the Zulu word for life force), Clouts’ African inspirations extend beyond Cape jazz to Gnawa music and Afrobeat, and further to pan-European folksong and soul-jazz.
Joined by other previous SoundCellar performers rising star saxophonist Samuel Eagles, bassist Tim Fairhall and drummer Ted Carrasco, he brings his musical journey alive with superb musicianship and infectious vigour.
“The best of British jazz” Chris Phillips Jazz FM “Precise ebullience and relaxed funkiness” The Guardian
“Clouts’ compositions are strong and likeable. The quartet’s playing is similarly engaging, a feeling of optimism pervading the tunes with a life force of its own” All About Jazz
Entry is £13 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £15 cash on the door

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Nicolas Meier World Group
2021-10-21 20:15 - 22:15
Having played at SoundCellar in a number of different line ups since his debut for us in 2011, Nicolas Meier returns with his acclaimed NICOLAS MEIER WORLD GROUP.
Ticket link below
Originally hailing from Switzerland, UK-based musician Nicolas has carved out a reputation 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 – his versatility and musical fluency extends well beyond that (…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 few years.)

Nicolas is certainly prolific, having released many albums both under his own name in different configurations and in numerous collaborations – a quick count on his website makes the new album “Magnificent” by this line-up, his 27th available to purchase!

​The Nicolas Meier World Group’s 2019 release “Peaceful” received lots of critical acclaim and the band followed that up with their World Group “Live” release the following year.

Having made a lasting impression on the likes of the great Bill Bruford, (the aforementioned) Jeff Beck and Steve Vai, Nicolas Meier is unquestionably one of today’s most well-rounded, ambitious and masterful up-and-coming talents on guitar. In a career which is still unfolding as it blossoms, Nicolas has already rubbed shoulders with a truly staggering, diverse array of some of contemporary music’s most brilliant artists. Stay tuned … this is one star that is still on the rise!

“Meier composed a set of attractive pieces for Peaceful, full of strong melodies and diverse rhythms. Despite the eclectic range of stylistic influences, the program sounds cohesive, a tribute to the band’s excellent musicianship. Meier is a brilliant guitarist, and is joined by three equally strong players. Percussionist Demi Garcia deserves special mention. While he takes no solos, his empathetic support and mastery of so many different styles are major factors in the album’s success.” All About Jazz, Mark Sullivan

“The choir of guitars he employs lend him an almost unique voice, especially as he favours fretless instruments that allow him to explore micro-tones, blends, slurs and sudden runs that dazzle and delight.” Jazzwise Magazine

Richard Jones: violin
Demi Garcia: percussion
Kevin Glasgow: bass
Nicolas Meier: acoustic fretted and fretless guitars and glissentar

Entry is £13 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £15 cash on the door

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The Gareth Fowler/Ian Ellis Quartet
2021-10-07 20:15 - 22:15
Southampton born guitarist Gareth Fowler has been based in New York City since 2016. Tonight he joins forces with virtuoso saxophonist Ian Ellis to front a very special quartet that also features Ben Taylor on bass and Andy Chapman on drums.
Ticket link below
Since graduating from the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied privately with Rodney Jones, John Riley and Dayna Stevens, guitarist Gareth Fowler has continued to perform at various venues (55 Bar, Bar Next Door and Carnegie Hall) and teach in the city. He has performed in Iceland, South Africa, Malaysia, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, USA, Denmark, Norway and Holland. Gareth was the first jazz artist to be awarded the Countess of Munster trust Recital award and has plans for an upcoming UK tour.

“His playing – richly supportive, harmonically sophisticated, soaring on the solos” Peter Bacon – Jazz Breakfast

Ian Ellis has worked as a professional jazz saxophonist since 1985 and has performed live and recorded with stars such as Ruby Turner, Victoria Newton, Artoro Sandoval, and Rumer.

Jazzwise Magazine has hailed Ian as a “virtuoso saxophonist, one of our very best”.

Entry is £13 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £15 cash on the door

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Livestream - The Steve Banks Quintet
2021-09-23 20:15 - 22:15 | SoundCellar presents: In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation direct to your ‘own space’ via Zoom
We are making this gig available as a livestream over Zoom for those who are unable to come in person.
Guitarist Steve Banks plays SoundCellar for the first time and with his quintet presents his original compositions, encompassing deep contemporary grooves, Brazilian and swing influences, lush harmonies and memorable melodic hooks. The rich and dynamic musical landscapes created by the quintet are redolent of The Impossible Gentlemen, Maria Schneider, Fred Hersch and Bill Frisell, providing a showcase for Steve’s expressive, resonant and distinctive voice.
Click here for tickets to come to the physical gig
Livestream Ticket link below
GREAT NEWS: All advance ticket buyers via the Eventbrite link for the physical gig or for the livestream (below), will get exclusive access to a video of the performance for one month.
Described in Jazzwise Magazine as evoking a “Metheny-esque lyricism”, Steve brings with him a quintet featuring musicians from the forefront of UK jazz, three of whom have graced our SoundCellar stage on one or more occasion in the past, including the welcome return of one of the undoubted stars of our lockdown ‘In Our Own Space’ sessions, Rebecca Nash!
This year, Steve will be releasing ‘Emboldened’, an Arts Council England supported suite of his original music alongside recording an album of compositions with the quintet. His captivating style, lyricism and versatility has also featured on recent recordings and performances across the UK with Sara Colman, Greg Cordez and We Are Leif.
Steve Banks Quintet are:
Steve Banks – electric guitar
Sam Crockatt – saxophone
Rebecca Nash – keyboard
Henrik Jensen – bass
Mark Whitlam – drums
“A remarkable guitarist” Fringe Jazz
“Steve’s melodies were accessible showcases for the band’s collective and individual talents across a range of moods” Bristol 247 (live review)
Tickets for the Livestream are £6 + booking fee in advance through the link below.

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The Steve Banks Quintet
2021-09-23 20:15 - 22:15
Guitarist Steve Banks plays SoundCellar for the first time and with his quintet presents his original compositions, encompassing deep contemporary grooves, Brazilian and swing influences, lush harmonies and memorable melodic hooks. The rich and dynamic musical landscapes created by the quintet are redolent of The Impossible Gentlemen, Maria Schneider, Fred Hersch and Bill Frisell, providing a showcase for Steve’s expressive, resonant and distinctive voice.
Ticket link below
GREAT NEWS: All advance ticket buyers via the Eventbrite link for the physical gig (below) or for the livestream, will get exclusive access to a video of the performance for one month.
Described in Jazzwise Magazine as evoking a “Metheny-esque lyricism”, Steve brings with him a quintet featuring musicians from the forefront of UK jazz, three of whom have graced our SoundCellar stage on one or more occasion in the past, including the welcome return of one of the undoubted stars of our lockdown ‘In Our Own Space’ sessions, Rebecca Nash!
This year, Steve will be releasing ‘Emboldened’, an Arts Council England supported suite of his original music alongside recording an album of compositions with the quintet. His captivating style, lyricism and versatility has also featured on recent recordings and performances across the UK with Sara Colman, Greg Cordez and We Are Leif.
Steve Banks Quintet are:
Steve Banks – electric guitar
Sam Crockatt – saxophone
Rebecca Nash – keyboard
Henrik Jensen – bass
Mark Whitlam – drums
“A remarkable guitarist” Fringe Jazz
“Steve’s melodies were accessible showcases for the band’s collective and individual talents across a range of moods” Bristol 247 (live review)
Entry is £13 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £15 cash on the door
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Livestream - Lukas Oravec & Alex Garnett Quintet
2021-09-09 20:15 - 22:30 | SoundCellar presents: In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation direct to your ‘own space’ via Zoom
We are making this gig available as a livestream over Zoom for those who are unable to come in person.
Making his SoundCellar debut, Lukas Oravec is a world-renowned, phenomenal trumpet player from Slovakia. He has played and recorded with many famous jazz artists from around the globe such as Aaron Goldberg, Bob Mintzer, Vincent Herring, Wayne Escoffery, Peter Erskine, Miroslav Vitous and Danny Grissett.
Click here for tickets to come to the physical gig
Livestream Ticket link below
Lukas established the ‘Lukas Oravec Quartet’ in early 2012, their quality immediately attracted the attention of jazz enthusiasts. The band played many clubs and festivals all over Europe and won prizes ‘Young Faces of Slovak Jazz’ and ‘Prize For Interpretation Performance’ for their work. In 2013 they released a debut album “Introducing The Lukas Oravec Quartet”, which won the prize ESPRIT 2013 for the best Slovak album of the year. The second album called ‘Piotrology’ was released in 2015 and features US saxophonist Vincent Herring. The third album ‘Kulosaari’ was nominated for the Radioheads Award prize and their most recent album ‘Ali’ features the great saxophonist Bob Mintzer and also won the 2016 ESPRIT for best Slovak album of the year.
“Lukas Oravec is a wonderful young trumpet player who plays and writes with a lot of fire and creativity. His music has a distinctive sound as does his playing. He and the musicians Lukas surrounds himself with are a force to be reckoned with” – Bob Mintzer
Returning to SoundCellar, Alex Garnett has been one of the leading saxophonists in the UK and Mainland Europe for over 2 decades, being instantly recognized by his dark, husky sound. A hugely versatile musician and first call sideman, he has enjoyed success as both a professional creative jazz artist, composer and arranger, and an in demand session, studio and commercial saxophonist, having racked up countless album sideman and recording credits along the way.
Easily performing over 200 events every (non-lockdown) year with many of Europe’s leading bands from underground to pop, he is also a regular sideman of choice for many of the top visiting American artists when touring in Europe, and has himself performed in over 30 countries worldwide appearing at such prestigious venues as the Blue Note, Birdland, as well as the Perugia, North Sea, Vittoria, Montreax, and Oslo Jazz Festivals to name but a few, with varied and diverse artists across the spectrum such as Sir John Dankworth, Wynton Marsalis, Pete King, Humphrey Littleton, Scott Hamilton, Van Morrison, and The Rolling Stones, as well as with his contemporaries Gareth Lockrane, Seamus Blake, Phil Robson, Michael Janisch, Joel Frahm, and many more.
We are pleased that another ‘friend’ of SoundCellar will be part of the quintet, with our first ever In Our Own Space artist Sam Leak now joining the band on piano.
Lukas Oravec: Trumpet
Alex Garnett: Sax
Sam Leak: Piano
Jack Garside: Bass
Marek Dorcik: Drums
Tickets for the Livestream are £6 + booking fee in advance through the below link.
Click here for tickets to come to the physical gigShare this event

Lukas Oravec & Alex Garnett Quintet
2021-09-09 20:15 - 22:30
Making his SoundCellar debut, Lukas Oravec is a world-renowned, phenomenal trumpet player from Slovakia. He has played and recorded with many famous jazz artists from around the globe such as Aaron Goldberg, Bob Mintzer, Vincent Herring, Wayne Escoffery, Peter Erskine, Miroslav Vitous and Danny Grissett.
Ticket link below
Lukas established the ‘Lukas Oravec Quartet’ in early 2012, their quality immediately attracted the attention of jazz enthusiasts. The band played many clubs and festivals all over Europe and won prizes ‘Young Faces of Slovak Jazz’ and ‘Prize For Interpretation Performance’ for their work. In 2013 they released a debut album “Introducing The Lukas Oravec Quartet”, which won the prize ESPRIT 2013 for the best Slovak album of the year. The second album called ‘Piotrology’ was released in 2015 and features US saxophonist Vincent Herring. The third album ‘Kulosaari’ was nominated for the Radioheads Award prize and their most recent album ‘Ali’ features the great saxophonist Bob Mintzer and also won the 2016 ESPRIT for best Slovak album of the year.

“Lukas Oravec is a wonderful young trumpet player who plays and writes with a lot of fire and creativity. His music has a distinctive sound as does his playing. He and the musicians Lukas surrounds himself with are a force to be reckoned with” – Bob Mintzer

Returning to SoundCellar, Alex Garnett has been one of the leading saxophonists in the UK and Mainland Europe for over 2 decades, being instantly recognized by his dark, husky sound. A hugely versatile musician and first call sideman, he has enjoyed success as both a professional creative jazz artist, composer and arranger, and an in demand session, studio and commercial saxophonist, having racked up countless album sideman and recording credits along the way.

Easily performing over 200 events every (non-lockdown) year with many of Europe’s leading bands from underground to pop, he is also a regular sideman of choice for many of the top visiting American artists when touring in Europe, and has himself performed in over 30 countries worldwide appearing at such prestigious venues as the Blue Note, Birdland, as well as the Perugia, North Sea, Vittoria, Montreax, and Oslo Jazz Festivals to name but a few, with varied and diverse artists across the spectrum such as Sir John Dankworth, Wynton Marsalis, Pete King, Humphrey Littleton, Scott Hamilton, Van Morrison, and The Rolling Stones, as well as with his contemporaries Gareth Lockrane, Seamus Blake, Phil Robson, Michael Janisch, Joel Frahm, and many more.

We are pleased that another ‘friend’ of SoundCellar will be part of the quintet, with our first ever In Our Own Space artist Sam Leak now joining the band on piano.

Lukas Oravec: Trumpet
Alex Garnett: Sax
Sam Leak: Piano
Jack Garside: Bass
Marek Dorcik: Drums

Entry is £13 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £15 cash on the door

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Thokozile
2021-08-26 20:15 - 22:30
Thokozile were formed on the back of a British Council music exchange back to South Africa in 2010. Performing at the legendary ‘Footprints of South Africa concert’ at Poole Lighthouse, their vibrant world and acid jazz influenced sound received such a positive reception, they have continued to sporadically perform ever since, at festivals such as Jazz By The Sea and Swanage Jazz Festival, as well as through support slots opposite bands like James Taylor Quartet and New Cool Collective.
Ticket link below
The band have built up a loyal following and were about to enjoy their busiest year yet until lockdown intervened. They are delighted to get out on the road again with tonight’s performance, bringing to SoundCellar their trademark melodic saxophone and jangly guitars, along with a kicking rhythm section. Expect melodic, vibrant jazz for the feet as well as the heart, and look out for a long-awaited debut EP later this year.
Dan Somogyi – keyboards/guitar
Terry Quinney – saxophone
Rob Palmer – guitar
Jack Shaughnessy – bass
Neil Evans – drums
Entry is £10 + booking fee in advance through the below link, or £12 on the doorShare this event

The John Law Trio
2021-08-12 20:15 - 22:30
Acclaimed pianist JOHN LAW returns to SoundCellar with his trio to present his unique take on standards and original compositions. John has played at over fifty festivals worldwide & worked with musicians such as Gwilym Simcock, Jason Rebello, Tim Garland & Andy Sheppard.
Ticket link below
John Law – piano
Ben Taylor – bass
Andy Chapman – drums
John Law, a prize-winning classical prodigy on piano, turned away from classical piano studies to pursue jazz and improvised music when he was 23 and has been involved in, and acclaimed for, a wide variety of contemporary jazz and classical projects: from solo piano concerts and albums, through trio and quartet tours and recordings, right through to large scale works for his semi-classical ensemble Cornucopia.
He has played at over fifty festivals worldwide including North Sea Jazz Festival (Rotterdam), Delhi International Jazz Festival and London Jazz Festival at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, and in clubs and concert halls all over the UK, mainland Europe, North America and beyond. He has recorded over forty albums. John’s main projects currently are his acclaimed quartet Congregation, featuring Mercury Prize nominee James Mainwaring and playing John’s original music, bringing together acoustic and electronic music; his all-acoustic quartet Re-Creations, featuring Parliamentary Jazz Award winner Sam Crockatt, playing versions of tunes from jazz/pop/classical; and Renaissance, an ambient, electronic keyboards project with saxophonist Jon Lloyd and visual artist Patrick Dunn, playing improvised music over samples created out of sacred vocal music from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Entry is £10 + booking fee in advance through the below link (available until midnight Weds 11th August), or £12 on the doorShare this event

The Sound of BlueNote
2021-07-29 20:15 - 22:30
The Sound of BlueNote consists of five of the most prominent musicians in the South of England, who pay tribute to the legendary jazz record label – BlueNote Records. Focusing on the iconic period of the 1950’s and 60’s, the band play tunes by BlueNote legends Hank Mobley, Freddie Hubbard, Art Blakey, Horace Silver and more. All the material is taken directly from the original recordings and is performed with the same swinging intensity that defines the BlueNote sound.
Ticket link below
Here’s what some of the UK’s best known musicians have said about the band:
“They sound great, they play great, and damn it they look great too. [SOBN] deftly deliver intrigue and soulful lines in remarkably tidy unison and then dazzle with their virtuosic improvisations, all the while driven by a top flight rhythm section. Don’t miss any opportunity to see and indeed hear The Sound of BlueNote” – Nigel Price
“The Sound of BlueNote take their lead from the greatest recordings from the iconic jazz label…Slick ensemble passages alternate with inspired solos to bring this exceptional material very much to life! This may be a celebration of a golden musical age but in a modern and very relevant context.” – Alan Barnes
The Sound of BlueNote are:
Terry Quinney – saxophone
Andy Urquhart – trumpet
Phil Doyle – piano
Ben Taylor – bass
Andy Chapman – drums
Entry is £10 + booking fee in advance through the below link (available until midnight Weds 28th July), or £12 on the doorShare this event

The SoundCellar4 plus guests
2021-07-22 20:15 - 22:30
More than 16 months after we were last able to present a live performance in the ‘real world’ (5th March last year), we are so pleased to kick off a new era and relaunch SoundCellar at a new venue with the house band and their soulful blend of swing and funk grooves.
Ticket link below
The sax/guitar/bass/drums quartet will be joined by some of the best musicians on the local scene to present an evening of bebop, blues, Bossa nova and Afrobeats!
We look forward to seeing some of our In Our Own Space regulars, other familiar faces from our past and maybe a few new ones too.
The SoundCellar4 are:
Terry Quinney – saxophone
Rob Palmer – guitar
Rodney Teague – electric bass
Andy Chapman – drums
Come and enjoy this special evening at our new host venue at East Dorset Tennis & Croquet Club, Salterns Road, Poole, BH14 8BL
Entry is £10 + booking fee in advance through the below link (available until midnight Weds 21st July), or £12 on the doorShare this event

EUROPA STRING CHOIR (six string violectra & guitar)
2021-07-08 20:15 - 21:45 | SoundCellar presents: In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation direct to your ‘own space’ via Zoom
For our next In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation performance, we are really pleased after a number of intervening years, to be able to present the virtual return of the fabulous Europa String Choir, coming to us from their home in Kirchdorf am Inn, Germany.
Ticket link at bottom of page
One-time residents here in Dorset, original members Cathy Stevens (6 string violectra) and Udo Dzierzanowski (guitar) are returning to SoundCellar via the internet, having been the second ever band to play in the cellar, way back in May 2010!
Cathy Stevens studied violin and viola at the Yehudi Menuhin School and the Royal Academy of Music. In 1975, she became a professional orchestral player, working with the London Sinfonietta and Fires of London, among others.
In 1989, Cathy began working with arguably Dorset’s most famous musician Robert Fripp for his Guitar Craft courses. There she met guitarist Udo Dzierzanowski and in 1991 Cathy and Udo formed a viola-and-guitar duo called The Annexe, performing both self-penned and classical music, which toured with fellow Guitar Craft graduates California Guitar Trio.
In 1993, second guitarist Alessandro Bruno joined the project, which took on the new name of Europa String Choir. Their first album, The Starving Moon, was recorded for Fripp’s Discipline Global Mobile (DGM) label later that year. In 1996, they recruited a fourth member – Touch Guitar player Markus Reuter, another Guitar Craft student.
The quartet intermittently toured Europe and the USA over the next four years. Europa String Choir’s second album Lemon Crash was released in 2000 and a third album of improvisations from the Lemon Crash sessions and tour, Marching Ants was subsequently released in 2003 on Burning Shed.
In 2013, Cathy and Udo relocated the Europa String Choir from Dorset to Germany and in 2014 released their first album in eleven years, The Eye of the Beholder, a series of live improvisations available as a download through Bandcamp.
Cathy and Udo also played and recorded throughout the mid – 2000s, as part of the improvisational collective Zaum, led by the late Steve Harris, and while living here in Dorset regularly performed with other SoundCellar ‘alumni’ Jon Lloyd, Karen Wimhurst, Adrian Newton and indeed our own Rob Palmer.
Celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2021, Europa String Choir have released their entire back catalogue on Bandcamp and are returning to active performing and recording as a duo. Their instrumental music has evolved over the years to develop quite a distinctive acoustic/electric sound. Cathy & Udo playfully explore the boundaries between improvisation and composition, seeking out the space between silence & sound, often working from silence, crossing over musical genres in a unique way.
The group are excited to announce that work is currently ongoing towards releasing the first new Europa String Choir music since 2000, much of which will be presented here at this SoundCellar performance!
Make sure you join us for SoundCellar Presents: In Our Own Space: Music and Conversation with the Europa String Choir on Thurs 8th July.
All tickets purchased will also allow exclusive access to a video recording of the performance for one month afterwards. This will provide those who join us on the night with the opportunity to relive the whole event and also give those who cannot make it on the night, the chance to watch it all later. A link to the video will be emailed around 2-3 days after the performance.
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NIGEL PRICE (guitar)
2021-06-17 20:15 - 21:45 | SoundCellar presents: In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation direct to your ‘own space’ via Zoom
Next up for our In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation series, we present the virtual return to SoundCellar of guitarist NIGEL PRICE. Nigel has played at SoundCellar on a number of occasions and we are now really looking forward to a solo performance from him, as well as to his post-gig ‘chat’, where we are pretty certain he will be almost as entertaining as he’ll be with his guitar playing!
Ticket link at bottom of page
Nigel is one of the most highly regarded and in demand guitarists on the UK jazz scene today. He spent three years with UK funk legends – the James Taylor Quartet, recording 5 albums with them, and was voted No.1 in the 2016 British Jazz Awards for “best guitarist”. He is also a regular performer at Ronnie Scott’s, where he’s played around 600 times to date!
Nigel’s blend of flowing bebop lines and deep blues feeling has made him popular with jazz, blues and funk audiences across the World. He has played on more than 50 albums by other artists and as a leader, Nigel will release his 10th album in early June, a couple of weeks before this SoundCellar performance.
Called Wes Reimagined, the album features his organ trio, including SoundCellar favourite Ross Stanley and a number of guest musicians including Nigel’s regular guest saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos (who has played with him on two occasions at the cellar). The album is a collection of Wes Montgomery’s timeless tunes, respectfully reinterpreted. Nigel comments, “I haven’t tried to reinvent the wheel in any way – it’s just a kind of “what if?””. The great man’s tunes are played in the same spirit but with a little look at what might have been!
“For me, this is how jazz should be; communicative and inclusive. Jazz performed this way feels like a gift…” ‘Wes Reimagined’ review London Jazz News
“Nigel Price is probably the most dynamic and gifted guitarist on the British jazz scene today….” All About Jazz
Make sure you join us for SoundCellar Presents: In Our Own Space: Music and Conversation with NIGEL PRICE
All tickets purchased will also allow exclusive access to a video recording of the performance for one month afterwards. This will provide those who join us on the night with the opportunity to relive the whole event and also give those who cannot make it on the night, the chance to watch it all later. A link to the video will be emailed around 2-3 days after the performance.Share this event

JON COWHERD (piano)
2021-06-06 20:15 - 21:45 | SoundCellar presents: In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation direct to your ‘own space’ via Zoom
We have another US star musician for our next In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation performance, when we welcome the superb piano/keyboard player Jon Cowherd, from a studio in New York.
Ticket link at bottom of page
The Kentucky-raised, New Orleans-schooled, New York-based Jon Cowherd is best known for his long-running partnership with drummer/bandleader Brian Blade, with whom he co-founded Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band, whose acclaimed, influential albums showcase Cowherd’s stellar keyboard work and singular compositional skills. SoundCellar’s Rob and John were privileged to see the Fellowship perform relatively early in its history, at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Den Hague back in 1998 and both remember the gig as an extremely special musical event.
Jon has also recorded two albums under his own name and toured with his band, the Mercy Project, recording with such jazz luminaries as Bill Frisell, John Patitucci, Tony Scherr and this March’s ‘In Our Own Space’ star guitarist Steve Cardenas.
Jon has worked extensively with a broad array of players and singers from the jazz, pop and rock worlds, including Brandi Carlile, Norah Jones, Glen Hansard, Cassandra Wilson, Meshell N’dgeocello, kd Lang, Terri Lyne Carrington, Kurt Rosenwinkel and Lizz Wright. In addition, he has worked with 2011 SoundCellar legend Alicia Olatuja and with 2015 SoundCellar icon Becca Stevens, who we hope by the time you watch Jon’s performance, you will have seen perform for us a second time around, for an ‘In Our Own Space’ livestream just two weeks earlier.
As you will have deduced, if you didn’t already know it, Jon is regarded as one of the best keyboard players in the world, so make sure you join us for SoundCellar Presents: In Our Own Space: Music and Conversation with Jon Cowherd on Sunday 6th June.
All tickets purchased will also allow exclusive access to a video recording of the performance for one month afterwards. This will provide those who join us on the night with the opportunity to relive the whole event and also give those who cannot make it on the night, the chance to watch it all later. A link to the video will be emailed around 2-3 days after the performance.Share this event

BECCA STEVENS (voice, guitar, charango, ukelele)
2021-05-23 20:15 - 21:45 | SoundCellar presents: In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation direct to your ‘own space’ via Zoom
We are absolutely thrilled to present the return of BECCA STEVENS to SoundCellar, for a very special In Our Own Space: Music and Conversation evening. Still fondly remembered as one of our most iconic visitors, Becca first played at SoundCellar with her Becca Stevens Band back in 2015. Now following her recent 2021 Grammy nomination, we are excited to be presenting her in a solo performance from her home in New York. Make sure you set aside Sunday 23rd May @ 8.15pm (UK time) in your diaries!
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Hailing from Winston Salem in North Carolina, now living in Brooklyn, Becca studied at the prestigious The New School in New York. Known for her ability to infuse her music with elements of pop, jazz, indie-rock and traditional Appalachian folk music, she has established herself as one of the leading singers, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists in the world.
Having played at distinguished venues such as New York’s Carnegie Hall, Tokyo’s Cotton Club, the LA Troubadour, Paris Olympia, Newport Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival and other high-profile places, here in the UK she has appeared at The Barbican, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Ronnie Scott’s, London’s Troubadour, as well as Poole’s SoundCellar of course! For well over a decade, Becca has been in great demand for her distinctive, exquisite vocals, contributing to recordings by Brad Mehldau, Esperanza Spalding, José James, Billy Childs, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Snarky Puppy, 2011 SoundCellar legend Michael Olatuja and many others.
As a world class musician and songwriter, she has written for and collaborated with artists as diverse as David Crosby, Jacob Collier, Vince Mendoza, Taylor Eigsti, Ambrose Akinmusire, Tal Wilkenfeld, Laura Mvula, Elan Mehler, 2017 SoundCellar visitor Oli Rockberger and recent In Our Own Space star Jesse van Ruller, as well as many other top quality artists.
As well as having her own band, Becca is a key member of The Lighthouse Band, a quartet of superstars comprising of herself, Michael League, Michelle Willis and David Crosby! Their 2018 album ‘Here If You Listen’ is regarded as a classic, with a number of the most memorable songs on the album written by Becca.
Becca currently appears on over 60 albums and since the 2008 release of her first album ‘Tea Bye Sea’, she has now released 5 albums under her own name (or as Becca Stevens Band). Her most recent album ‘Wonderbloom’, which she not only wrote and performed on alongside over 40 invited guest musicians, but also co-produced and co-engineered, came out just as the pandemic struck in March 2020. It has nevertheless garnered widespread critical acclaim and recently received a Grammy nomination for one of its songs ‘Slow Burn’, in the category of “Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals”.
“Sensual and sophisticated Pop” Jazz Magazine, April 2020
Winner of “Best Rising-Star Female Vocalist 2017” Downbeat Magazine, June 2017
“Stevens has a beautifully nuanced vocal style, a delicate yet strongly assured delivery rooted in an open, broad, range which is very much her own, with the mildest of echoes of one of her heroines, Joni Mitchell, that also carries through to her guitar work, and with whose Help Me she encored.” London Jazz News, November 2017, Ronnie Scott’s performance
“Brilliant, catchy… Intimate, ruminative, jagged-edged originals with jouncy time signatures, rich with harmony and melody.” Downbeat
“Stevens fashions a sound all her own with airy, brook-clear songs equally touched by jazz sophistication and homespun folk charm.” Time Out, New York
“Fully satiating. That is the least I can say about a Becca Stevens listening experience. Her songwriting, voice, and lyrics are like a cool bubbling brook freshening the brine of all the music you’ve ever heard.” Esperanza Spalding
“Stevens is effortlessly charming in her stage demeanor and lights up like a firefly in performance. She is a treasure.” Kurt Elling for JazzTimes
“She’s someone who everybody, in my generation at least, looks up to. She’s really a genius – I don’t like using that word too much, she really has tapped into something in a deep way.” Ambrose Akinmusire
We are sure you will agree this edition of SoundCellar presents: In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation with BECCA STEVENS will be an evening you simply cannot afford to miss.
All tickets purchased will also allow exclusive access to a video recording of the zoom performance for one month afterwards. This will provide those who join us on the night with the opportunity to relive the whole event and also give those who cannot make it on the night, the chance to watch it all later. A link to the video will be emailed around 2-3 days after the performance.
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TOM OLLENDORFF Trio (guitar, bass, drums)
2021-05-20 20:15 - 21:45 | SoundCellar presents: In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation direct to your ‘own space’ via Zoom
For our next In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation event we have expanded our livestream horizons beyond our usual solo/duo format and present the return to SoundCellar of a fabulous trio led by super guitarist TOM OLLENDORFF.
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Tom first wowed us early in 2019 when he and SoundCellar’s favourite bass player Conor Chaplin played for us with star drummer Ari Hoenig. Tom then returned later in the year with his own trio featuring Conor again, along with drummer Marc Michel and wowed us all over again. As all our regulars will know, Conor is one of the most in demand bassists around – many will perhaps best know him as a member of Laura Jurd’s Dinosaur. Marc has become established as one of Europe’s top drummers, having played with superstars such as Mike Moreno, Kurt Rosenwinkel and SoundCellar legend Jesse van Ruller.
In May 2021, the Barcelona-based jazz label Fresh Sounds Records will release A Song For You, Tom’s debut album. Since being awarded the Yamaha scholarship for outstanding jazz musicianship in 2015, Tom has honed his craft on the UK and European jazz circuits to become a rising star and much sought-after player, lending his compelling skills to a range of high profile projects and performing with respected artists and ensembles including Geoff Simkins, Dave Cliff, Huw Warren, James Maddren, Jeff Williams, Or Baraket and Bill McHenry.
On A Song For You, Tom’s distinctive style and flair for both composition and improvisation shine through in droves, teaming up with this dynamic band of Marc on drums and Conor on bass. This longstanding trio have an innate understanding of each other’s musical idiosyncrasies, which becomes very evident during the improvisational passages on the album. The result is a series of engaging and hypnotic grooves, interweaving reoccurring themes and subtly allowing enough space for each individual to showcase their undeniable talent.
With both his excellent trio and the aforementioned artists, Tom has appeared at venues and festivals in France, China, Slovakia, Switzerland, Holland and of course the UK, including leading jazz venues such as The Vortex, Ronnie Scott’s and of course SoundCellar. The band plan to take the live circuit by storm as the world emerges from this period of lockdown.
Speaking of the new album, Tom comments: “Fresh Sound New Talent have released some of my favourite jazz records, and it is a thrill for me to be joining the long list of incredible artists who are associated with the label. I really hope you enjoy the record.”
A Song For You is an outstanding album, sonically illustrating all of the qualities needed by a young and passionate jazz band to elevate to the next level of their journey – the proof is in the listening!
“Tom Ollendorff is one of the world’s finest guitarists. His music is complex yet rooted in melody and feeling” Gilad Hekselman, Jazz Guitarist
“I really enjoy the playing and writing of young guitarist Tom Ollendorff, definitely one to watch and listen out for” Helen Mayhew, Jazz FM
“He is gaining a reputation as an outstanding improviser and imaginative composer” Bracknell Jazz
Make sure you join us for SoundCellar Presents: In Our Own Space: Music and Conversation with TOM OLLENDORFF and his trio.
All tickets purchased will also allow exclusive access to a video recording of the performance for one month afterwards. This will provide those who join us on the night with the opportunity to relive the whole event and also give those who cannot make it on the night, the chance to watch it all later. A link to the video will be emailed around 2-3 days after the performance.
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DANIEL BIRO (electro-cosmic keyboards!)
2021-05-06 20:15 - 21:45 | SoundCellar presents: In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation direct to your ‘own space’ via Zoom
Next up for our In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation series, we present DANIEL BIRO (electro-cosmic keyboards!) Daniel has played at SoundCellar on a number of occasions over the years and we are now really looking forward to his latest incarnation: Daniel Biro ‘Synthrospection’: solo keyboard electro-cosmic meditations!
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Taking a break from his collaborative projects with Echo Engine (avant-jazz ambient grooves), Mysteries of the Revolution (jazz-rock psychedelic) and ex-Camel vocalist/bass player Colin Bass (ambient prog songs), keyboardist/composer Daniel Biro embarks on an odyssey of monthly solo keyboard concerts, streaming from his London home studio. Starting with this SoundCellar event, the ’Synthrospections’ will make use of Biro’s considerable arsenal of vintage synths, as well as his signature Rhodes piano sound, to weave electronic cosmic ambiences together with more jazz harmonic angularities and abstract grooves.
To add an extra layer of risk, each concert will be entirely improvised. Something from nothing. No prepared beats, sequences or tunes, just impromptu stream of consciousness constructs, evoking the adventurous ‘happenings’ of early 70s electronic pioneers like Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze, the spirit of Miles Davis’ jazz-rock alumni Hancock, Zawinul, Jarrett, Corea, but also the ethereal moods of German ECM label sonic landscapes.
The concert will be recorded and then released on Biro’s Sargasso label.
Make sure you join us for SoundCellar Presents: In Our Own Space: Music and Conversation with DANIEL BIRO
All tickets purchased will also allow exclusive access to a video recording of the performance for one month afterwards. This will provide those who join us on the night with the opportunity to relive the whole event and also give those who cannot make it on the night, the chance to watch it all later. A link to the video will be emailed around 2-3 days after the performance.Share this event

CAMILA MEZA (guitar, voice)
2021-04-23 20:15 - 21:45 | SoundCellar presents: In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation direct to your ‘own space’ via Zoom
We have an extremely special In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation event for you on Friday 23rd April, when we present Chilean star CAMILA MEZA live from Guatemala (although her home is in the USA). Camila is not only a superb singer-songwriter, but is also a fabulous guitarist and we are very excited to be presenting her in this solo livestream setting. This event forms part of the ‘Bounceback Online Jazz mini-Fest’, being run in partnership with Jazz South, SoundStorm and Lighthouse Studio Jazz.
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Throughout the mid to late ‘noughties’, Camila built an enormous reputation in her home city of Santiago for her ability to combine influences such as jazz guitarists George Benson and Pat Metheny, alongside South American music and folk. In 2007 she released her debut album ‘Skylark’ (Stateside).
In 2009 Camila moved to New York to study guitar at The New School with master guitarists Peter Bernstein, Vic Juris and recent SoundCellar ‘In Our Own Space’ artist Steve Cardenas. She has subsequently played and recorded with many of the current crop of top musicians, including Ryan Keberle, Lucas Pino, Fabian Almazan, Shai Maestro, Matt Penman, Kendrick Scott, Bashiri Johnson, Jody Redhage, Sachal Vasandani, Noam Weisenberg and Keita Ogawa.
In addition to guesting as vocalist on a number of other artists’ albums, Camila has so far released five albums under her own name. Her fourth ‘Traces’, was released on Sunnyside Records in 2016, with which she won two Independent Music Awards for Best Adult Contemporary Album and Best Latin Song (“Para Volar”).
Camila sings in Spanish, Portugese and English and directs her own jazz octet, The Nectar Orchestra – leading to a lush sound perfectly captured on her most recent album release ‘Ámbar’ (2019 on major label Sony Masterworks).
She has performed at prestigious jazz festivals such as Jazzahead in 2017, North Sea Jazz in 2019 (where SoundCellar’s John F saw her perform a fabulous set with the Metropole Orkestre, alongside SoundCellar legend Becca Stevens and the phenomenal Lizz Wright), and at Snarky Puppy’s GroundUp Festival just before lockdown in Feb 2020.
Downbeat has named Camila as one of the ‘Rising Stars’ of jazz, and high profile writers have had extremely positive things to say about her, such as:
“an appealing combination of lightness and depth […], that sings with a bright, clear voice against the agile uproar of a world-class band.” Nate Chinen: The New York Times
“Ámbar is indescribably artistically delicious. It is artistically unique and aesthetically beautiful” All About Jazz
“…she casts a spell with an arresting amalgam of Latin American, jazz, and chamber-pop influences” Jazz Times
“But it’s Meza’s voice that’s front and center, and she’s absolutely riveting—in three languages.” DownBeat
With such a pedigree, we think you’ll agree it’s essential you don’t miss In Our Own Space: Music and Conversation with CAMILA MEZA on Friday 23rd April @ 8.15pm GMT
All tickets purchased will also allow exclusive access to a video recording of the performance for one month afterwards. This will provide those who join us on the night with the opportunity to relive the whole event and also give those who cannot make it on the night, the chance to watch it all later.
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REBECCA NASH (piano) and NICK WALTERS (trumpet, electronics)
2021-04-08 20:15 - 21:45 | SoundCellar presents: In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation direct to your ‘own space’ via Zoom
We have another high quality duo for our In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation series, when we present REBECCA NASH (piano) and NICK WALTERS (trumpet, electronics). Rebecca has played twice previously at SoundCellar in other ensembles and now brings us her own first rate material, along with some of Nick’s fabulous compositions, to this evening’s performance.
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Nick and Rebecca have a long working history which reaches back over the last ten years.
Nick played a key role in the title track for Rebecca’s album, Peaceful King (released 2019), masterminding the electronic elements of that music, and in turn Rebecca plays piano for Nick’s bands The Paradox Ensemble and The Nick Walters Quintet. The pair have developed a symbiotic musical relationship built around friendship and a musical respect, combining forces to create a dynamic new sound world.
Between the two of them, they have in recent years notched up several critically acclaimed releases on major British jazz labels including Whirlwind Recordings, 22a Records, and EFPI Records. Earlier this year, Nick established his own label, D.O.T. Records – a strong new force on the jazz scene.
They are looking forward to bringing their new collaboration to SoundCellar, where they will perform their Jazz South Radar Commission, The Sanctuary, which explores the concept of ley-lines and their effect on the natural world around them. The pair will also be playing some stripped-back material from Implicate Order, Nick’s newly released Paradox Ensemble album, as well as music from Peaceful King, and an earlier Paradox album The Awakening.
“Nash, and her superb band are at the vanguard of innovative and compelling new music.” (Downbeat Magazine)
“The clarity of the creative voice unifies the music and marks her out as one to watch both as a composer and musician” JAZZWISE ★★★★
“Amazing new album, so good – another chapter to add to the phenomenal new British Jazz scene” GILLES PETERSON
“Walters is majestic, leading a hugely enjoyable cosmic journey of exciting, melodic and spiritually uplifting contemporary jazz” UK VIBE

Make sure you join us for SoundCellar Presents: In Our Own Space: Music and Conversation with REBECCA NASH and NICK WALTERS
All tickets purchased will also allow exclusive access to a video recording of the performance for one month afterwards. This will provide those who join us on the night with the opportunity to relive the whole event and also give those who cannot make it on the night, the chance to watch it all later. A link to the video will be emailed around 2-3 days after the performance.Share this event

STEVE CARDENAS (guitar)
2021-03-21 20:15 - 21:45 | SoundCellar presents: In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation direct to your ‘own space’ via Zoom
Once again we have an extraordinary musician giving us a very rare solo performance for another of our special Sunday editions of In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation. We are very excited to present the exceptional guitarist STEVE CARDENAS direct from his home in New York.
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Steve began his musical career in Kansas City and has been an integral part of the New York City jazz community since 1995. Steve has performed and recorded with many well-known and highly esteemed musicians.
Notably, he was a longstanding member of the Paul Motian Electric Bebop Band, Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra and Steve Swallow Quintet. Steve is currently a member of Ben Allison and Think Free, John Patitucci Electric Guitar Quartet, Jon Cowherd Mercy Project, and Adam Nussbaum Lead Belly Project. He has also performed regularly with such diverse artists as Norah Jones, Madeleine Peyroux, Eliane Elias and has toured extensively performing at countless international music festivals, theatres and clubs.
As well as appearing as a sideman on over one hundred recordings, Steve has six recordings as a leader, accompanied by such jazz luminaries as Thomas Morgan, Kenny Wollesen, Rudy Royston, Tony Malaby and Larry Grenadier. His latest release ‘Blue Has A Range’ (Sunnyside, 2020) features an all-star line-up of Ben Allison, Jon Cowherd and Brian Blade.
Additionally, Steve is on faculty at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary in New York and most recently has joined the Sonora Guitar Intensive team as a mentor. Steve is also co-author with editor Don Sickler of the Thelonious Monk Fakebook.
Once again we are delighted to be partnering with our friends at London Jazz Guitar Society, who will be holding an online Guitar Masterclass with Steve the week before, where he will pass on some of his unparalleled wisdom, before he then performs for us live, followed by a Q&A session.
Do not miss out on seeing one of the best musicians in the world performing solo for us on Sunday 21st March, when we present In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation with STEVE CARDENAS
All tickets purchased will also allow exclusive access to a video recording of the performance for one month afterwards. This will provide those who join us on the night with the opportunity to relive the whole event and also give those who cannot make it on the night, the chance to watch it all later. A link to the video will be emailed around 2-3 days after the performance.
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NOEMI NUTI (voice) and ANDREW McCORMACK (piano)
2021-03-04 20:15 - 21:45 | SoundCellar presents: In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation direct to your ‘own space’ via Zoom
Having first played at SoundCellar with her band in 2015, we are delighted to be able to welcome the wonderful vocalist NOEMI NUTI back to perform for our In Our Own Space: Music & Conversation series, in a duo with acclaimed pianist ANDREW McCORMACK.
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Born and raised in New York from Italian descent, Noemi Nuti is a jazz vocalist and composer residing in London. She studied classical harp at Brunel University and jazz improvisation at Trinity College of Music, graduating with an MA in Jazz Performance in 2012.
Noemi has been active since 2008 starting with joining the Tomorrow’s Warriors ‘Jazz Alive’ project, has performed with NYJO, the London Vocal Project and was lead singer for samba band Rhythms of the City. In 2015, she released her debut album ‘Nice to Meet You’ and received wide critical acclaim and extensive airplay, including being A listed on Jazz FM.
In 2017, she paid tribute to Milton Nascimento’s music at Pizza Express Jazz Club creating an all-Brazilian rhythm section and joining forces with pianist sensation Liam Noble and saxophonist Jean Toussaint (Art Blakey). After touring her debut album, supporting Marcos Valle and headlining Ipswich Jazz Festival, she joined Andrew McCormack’s Graviton in 2018-2019, touring in the UK and internationally.
She has recently released her second album ‘Venus Eye’ in March 2020 to wide critical acclaim and has been selected for Serious’ Take Five artist development scheme.
“…a lot of joy, and a range of many emotions, shining through this very accomplished new release.” (Jazz Journal)
“…it’s good to hear an original voice that has something to say” (Bebop Spoken Here)
Noemi has performed in many important venues including, Ronnie Scott’s, Islington Assembly Hall, 606 Jazz Club (and SoundCellar of course) in the UK and further afield in the U.S.A., Europe and Brazil. She is regular performer at the London Jazz Festival.
Andrew McCormack is an acclaimed musician in his own right. In addition to receiving high praise for his first two albums ‘Telescope’ and ‘First Light’ and for his band Graviton (including Noemi), Andrew’s latest release in 2020 ‘Solo’ has been widely praised across the board:
“(..piano)…which McCormack uses to perform a wide-ranging repertoire of engaging and beautifully-played music” (All About Jazz)
“This really is a very fine achievement. I’m now very impatient to hear McCormack in concert again; meanwhile, Solo is a disc to treasure” (Jazz Journal)
“Andrew McCormack: ‘Solo’ review – prepare to be seduced” (The Guardian)
We are sure you won’t want to miss this special duo performance for In Our Own Space: Music and Conversation with NOEMI NUTI and ANDREW McCORMACK
All tickets purchased will also allow exclusive access to a video recording of the performance for one month afterwards. This will provide those who join us on the night with the opportunity to relive the whole event and also give those who cannot make it on the night, the chance to watch it all later. A link to the video will be emailed to you normally 2-3 days after the performance.Share this event

RICK SIMPSON (piano)
2021-02-18 20:15 - 21:45 | SoundCellar presents: In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation direct to your ‘own space’ via Zoom
Having played at SoundCellar with other ensembles, we are really pleased to now be able to present RICK SIMPSON ‘solo’ as one of our In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation artists, not least because he will be bringing a taste of Radiohead with him (as explained below!)
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Rick is based in London playing a wide variety of music, and leads his own group playing original jazz music. He is a regular performer at Ronnie Scotts, the 606 Jazz Club, Pizza Express Dean Street, The Vortex, The Bull’s Head, and has appeared at larger UK venues such as the Royal Festival Hall and the Purcell Room.
In 2008 Rick won a Yamaha Scholarship Prize for Outstanding Jazz Musicians. A recording of Rick’s band was put on the front cover of Jazzwise Magazine.
Since graduating from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2008 he has performed with musicians such as Christian Scott, Eric Harland, Joe Sanders, Ernesto Simpson, Earl Burness Travis, Stan Sulzmann and with SoundCellar favourites Michael Janisch, Martin Speake, Jeff Williams, Kristian Borring, Leo Richardson and Andre Canniere. In addition, Rick plays in the ensembles of Jay Phelps, Rory Simmons, Alice Leggett and Riley Stone-Lonergan, amongst others.
Rick also teaches on the prestigious MEhr Clef courses alongside Stan Sulzmann, Steve Waterman, Alan Barnes, Malcolm Edmonstone, Mark Hodgson, Lee Gibson, Ursula Malewski and Martin France.
Having released two previous albums as leader involving many of SoundCellar’s most popular musicians (pretty much every one of them having played at the cellar at some point), in October 2020, Rick released another album involving Soundcellar ‘stars’, that has taken the jazz world by storm! Released on the 20th Anniversary of the release of Radiohead’s genre-busting album ‘Kid A’, Rick presented Everything All Of The Time: Kid A Revisited on our favourite record label, Whirlwind Records.
The album is described as a typically idiosyncratic project: a re-framing of Radiohead’s Kid A album, featuring ten original arrangements of the source material played by an all-star band of like-minded musical mavericks.
The project was created to mark the 20th anniversary of the original album’s release, as part of a series of sell-out shows curated by Simpson at London’s Vortex club featuring non-jazz records rearranged with an improvisational focus. The original show was such a success, drawing in listeners from beyond the club’s regular audience, that Simpson re-assembled the band in the studio and recorded the entire album in a single afternoon session “I think the time pressure contributed to the performances. It’s really punchy and to the point, but a lot happens – it captures the energy so well”. There’s a wealth of detail to discover, and surprises at every turn.
Here are just some of the press accolades:
“Simpson’s energy on this recording is infectious… The arrangements are terrific, with the two frontline saxes bringing a welcome edge to the session.” ★★★★ UK Vibe
“A brilliant mix of focussed energy and wild imagination.” ★★★★ Jazzwise Magazine
“Simpson and his band produce not simply a heartfelt homage but a genuinely stirring set of tunes in their own right.” Jazz Views
Rick will be playing many of the tunes from the album for us, so it really goes without saying that you don’t want to miss In Our Own Space: Music and Conversation with RICK SIMPSON
All tickets purchased will also allow exclusive access to a video recording of the performance for one month afterwards. This will provide those who join us on the night with the opportunity to relive the whole event and also give those who cannot make it on the night, the chance to watch it all later. A link to the video will be emailed to you around 2-3 days after the performance.Share this event

TIM MOTZER (guitar, electronics)
2021-02-07 20:15 - 21:45 | SoundCellar presents: In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation direct to your ‘own space’ via Zoom
We have another very special In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation performance by one of the world’s leading musicians. TIM MOTZER comes to us from his home in Philadelphia PA, USA.
After two decades of world touring, 9 solo albums, and over 100 albums of credits, Tim continues to “traverse manifold territories in music” (Guitar Player magazine).
Tim is widely known for his distinct textural acoustic-electro guitar voice, utilizing looping, bowing, electronics, and prepared techniques. He has collaborated with numerous musical luminaries including David Sylvian, Burnt Friedman, Jaki Liebezeit, poet Ursula Rucker, King Britt, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Vernon Reid, David Torn, Markus Reuter, and Pat Mastelotto, as well as with SoundCellar legend Ari Hoenig, among others. Since 2016, Tim has toured the world playing prestigious venues and jazz festivals with Bandit65, an improvising trio he co-leads with guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel and drummer Gintas Janusonis; their 2019 release, Searching the Continuum (Heartcore Records), received a rare five-star review from J.D. Considine in Downbeat Magazine.
His film/TV credits include the hit HBO series True Blood as well as Miami Vice, a major motion picture directed by Michael Mann. As an in-demand, solo live composer/improviser in the world of modern dance, Tim co-creates alongside master choreographers at Princeton University and the University of the Arts. He also has a longstanding collaboration with legendary choreographer Manfred Fischbeck, as part of Group Motion Dance Company. For the past 20 years, Tim has brought his dynamic, eclectic array of musical projects together under his own 1k Recordings imprint, which has over 40 releases and counting. He composes, records, and produces his own solo and collaborative work, along with projects for other artists. To listen/buy Tim’s work on 1k Recordings please visit: 1krecordings.bandcamp.com For additional info on Tim, visit: www.timmotzer.com
“Philadelphia-based guitarist and composer Tim Motzer finds infinite joy in diversity. His output as a leader and sideman criss-crosses multiple musical universes, including jazz, fusion, prog, hip-hop, soul, electronica, and the avant-garde.” Anil Prasad, Guitar Player Magazine
Covid-19 times haven’t stopped Tim’s creativity – in fact he has released no fewer than three solo albums since the pandemic stopped us all in our tracks less than a year ago! You really don’t want to miss In Our Own Space: Music and Conversation with TIM MOTZER
All tickets purchased will also allow exclusive access to a video recording of the performance for one month afterwards. This will provide those who join us on the night with the opportunity to relive the whole event and also give those who cannot make it on the night, the chance to watch it all later. A link to the video will be emailed to you normally 2-3 days after the performance.Share this event

TIM MOTZER (guitar, electronics) Recording of livestream from Sun 7th Feb
2021-02-07 - 2021-03-29 | SoundCellar presents: In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation direct to your ‘own space’ via Zoom
If you missed this amazing session on 7th February, we are now offering tickets for the recording of the evening, which will be available to watch until 6th April 2021.
Purchase a ticket here before the 29th March and you will be emailed a link, normally within minutes, that allow you to watch immediately.
This very special In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation performance by one of the world’s leading musicians. TIM MOTZER, comes to us from his home in Philadelphia PA, USA.
After two decades of world touring, 9 solo albums, and over 100 albums of credits, Tim continues to “traverse manifold territories in music” (Guitar Player magazine).
Tim is widely known for his distinct textural acoustic-electro guitar voice, utilizing looping, bowing, electronics, and prepared techniques. He has collaborated with numerous musical luminaries including David Sylvian, Burnt Friedman, Jaki Liebezeit, poet Ursula Rucker, King Britt, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Vernon Reid, David Torn, Markus Reuter, and Pat Mastelotto, as well as with SoundCellar legend Ari Hoenig, among others. Since 2016, Tim has toured the world playing prestigious venues and jazz festivals with Bandit65, an improvising trio he co-leads with guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel and drummer Gintas Janusonis; their 2019 release, Searching the Continuum (Heartcore Records), received a rare five-star review from J.D. Considine in Downbeat Magazine.
His film/TV credits include the hit HBO series True Blood as well as Miami Vice, a major motion picture directed by Michael Mann. As an in-demand, solo live composer/improviser in the world of modern dance, Tim co-creates alongside master choreographers at Princeton University and the University of the Arts. He also has a longstanding collaboration with legendary choreographer Manfred Fischbeck, as part of Group Motion Dance Company. For the past 20 years, Tim has brought his dynamic, eclectic array of musical projects together under his own 1k Recordings imprint, which has over 40 releases and counting. He composes, records, and produces his own solo and collaborative work, along with projects for other artists. To listen/buy Tim’s work on 1k Recordings please visit: 1krecordings.bandcamp.com For additional info on Tim, visit: www.timmotzer.com
“Philadelphia-based guitarist and composer Tim Motzer finds infinite joy in diversity. His output as a leader and sideman criss-crosses multiple musical universes, including jazz, fusion, prog, hip-hop, soul, electronica, and the avant-garde.” Anil Prasad, Guitar Player Magazine
Covid-19 times haven’t stopped Tim’s creativity – in fact he has released no fewer than three solo albums since the pandemic stopped us all in our tracks less than a year ago! You really don’t want to miss In Our Own Space: Music and Conversation with TIM MOTZER
All tickets purchased will also allow exclusive access to a video recording of the performance for one month afterwards. This will provide those who join us on the night with the opportunity to relive the whole event and also give those who cannot make it on the night, the chance to watch it all later. A link to the video will be emailed to you normally 2-3 days after the performance.Share this event

JESSE VAN RULLER (guitar)
2021-01-24 20:15 - 21:45 | SoundCellar presents: In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation direct to your ‘own space’ via Zoom
One of the most highly lauded gigs in SoundCellar’s history was the evening in 2018 when we were fortunate enough to be able to present Dutch guitar maestro JESSE VAN RULLER in a trio with Irish drum star David Lyttle and SoundCellar favourite bass player Conor Chaplin. We are therefore thrilled to be able to have Jesse return (virtually) to SoundCellar and perform for us in a special Sunday edition of our In Our Own Space: Music and Conversation series.
Jesse is a true European jazz icon and one of the world’s most respected jazz guitarists. Since winning the Thelonious Monk International Guitar Competition in 1995, impressing the jury of Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Jim Hall, Pat Martino and Mark Whitfield, he has recorded with Ramón Valle, Dave Liebman, Clarence Penn, Fleurine, Jasper Blom, Bill Stewart and many others, together with having toured worldwide and worked with George Duke, Joe Lovano, Pat Metheny, Peter Erskine, Mike Stern, Tom Harrell, Philip Catherine, Toots Thielemans, the Roy Hargrove Quintet, Christian McBride, Seamus Blake, Metropole Orchestra, Asko Ensemble, WDR Big Band, Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Berliner Philharmoniker. In addition, with his trio Chambertones (which includes 2019 SoundCellar visitor Joris Roelofs), he has featured another SoundCellar legend Becca Stevens, as guest musician on TV and on stage.
Three guitar icons have had this to say about Jesse:
‘Jesse is one of the best young players I’ve ever heard’ (Pat Metheny)
‘Most expressive player, he really touched me on a personal level’ (Jim Hall)
‘Jesse van Ruller is a marvellous guitar player’ (John Scofield)
Once again we are delighted to be linking up with LondonJazzGuitarSociety, who will hold a Guitar Masterclass with Jesse for all the players out there on Saturday Jan 16th (details here: https://www.meetup.com/LondonJazzGuitarSociety/events/275498642/). Jesse will then perform a full set for us on the following weekend, including a Q&A, so make sure you don’t miss this In Our Own Space: Music and Conversation with JESSE VAN RULLER on Sunday 24th Jan.
All tickets purchased will also allow exclusive access to a video recording of the evening for one month afterwards. This will provide those who join us on the night with the opportunity to relive the whole event and also give those who cannot make it on the night, the chance to watch it all later.Share this event

JESSE VAN RULLER (guitar) Recording of livestream from Sun 24th Jan
2021-01-24 - 2021-02-28 | SoundCellar presents: In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation direct to your ‘own space’ via Zoom
If you missed this amazing session we are now offering it as a recording, which will be available until 28th February 2021.
Purchase a ticket from here and you will be emailed a link, normally within minutes, that allow you to watch immediately.
One of the most highly lauded gigs in SoundCellar’s history was the evening in 2018 when we were fortunate enough to be able to present Dutch guitar maestro JESSE VAN RULLER in a trio with Irish drum star David Lyttle and SoundCellar favourite bass player Conor Chaplin. We were therefore thrilled to be able to have Jesse return (virtually) to SoundCellar and perform for us in a special Sunday edition of our In Our Own Space: Music and Conversation series.
Jesse is a true European jazz icon and one of the world’s most respected jazz guitarists. Since winning the Thelonious Monk International Guitar Competition in 1995, impressing the jury of Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Jim Hall, Pat Martino and Mark Whitfield, he has recorded with Ramón Valle, Dave Liebman, Clarence Penn, Fleurine, Jasper Blom, Bill Stewart and many others, together with having toured worldwide and worked with George Duke, Joe Lovano, Pat Metheny, Peter Erskine, Mike Stern, Tom Harrell, Philip Catherine, Toots Thielemans, the Roy Hargrove Quintet, Christian McBride, Seamus Blake, Metropole Orchestra, Asko Ensemble, WDR Big Band, Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Berliner Philharmoniker. In addition, with his trio Chambertones (which includes 2019 SoundCellar visitor Joris Roelofs), he has featured another SoundCellar legend Becca Stevens, as guest musician on TV and on stage.
Three guitar icons have had this to say about Jesse:
‘Jesse is one of the best young players I’ve ever heard’ (Pat Metheny)
‘Most expressive player, he really touched me on a personal level’ (Jim Hall)
‘Jesse van Ruller is a marvellous guitar player’ (John Scofield)Share this event

ROGER BEAUJOLAIS (vibraphone)
2021-01-07 20:15 - 21:45 | SoundCellar presents: In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation direct to your ‘own space’ via Zoom
We are really pleased to be kicking off 2021 with one of SoundCellar’s favourite musicians, ROGER BEAUJOLAIS. Roger has performed for us on a number of occasions in the cellar and we are now looking forward to him playing for us in our In Our Own Space: Music and Conversation series.
Roger is a self taught vibraphone player who started playing at the age of 24, played his first gig at 28 and turned professional when he was 30. In the process, he became the first vibraphone player in the UK to make a living from solely playing vibes. He was a founding member of the jump jive band The Chevalier Brothers & toured extensively throughout the 1980s playing in over 20 countries on 3 continents as well performing on many TV & radio shows. He played jazz festivals in Norway, Finland, France, Belgium & Italy, as well as prestigious appearances at the Stockholm, the North Sea and the Montreux Jazz Festivals. The Chevalier Brothers played 200 gigs a year for a number of years, even including at famous rock festivals like Glastonbury & Rosskilde in Denmark.
When The Chevalier Brothers split up in 1988 Roger joined pop band Fairground Attraction & toured with them for most of 1989. They split in 1989 & Roger recorded his first album ‘Mind How You Go’, a latin jazz album of mostly original tunes, released under the name of the Beaujolais Band by Acid Jazz Records in 1990. A second album came out in 1993 & Roger also started making albums of original jazz funk compositions for Acid Jazz Records under the name of Vibraphonic. The second Vibraphonic album in 1995 included a track ‘Can’t Get Enough’ that became a number one on the jazz charts in the USA. As a result Roger & Vibraphonic signed to Hollywood Records in Los Angeles & released two more albums for them. Hollywood Records is the audio arm of Disney Productions.
After more radio success in the USA, Roger decided to play more acoustic music & formed his jazz quintet releasing 4 albums in the next 10 years, also fitting in a quartet album with SoundCellar favourite Theo Travis & a trio album featuring the legendary pedal steel guitarist BJ Cole. Roger then released 2 quartet albums & most recently in 2019, an album with his Italian Trio called ‘Barba Lunga’.
Roger has recently released an ambient album of solo vibes called ‘Dreamscapes’. This album would probably never have been released if it wasn’t for lockdown. This is Roger’s 21st album release & he has now had over 200 of his compositions recorded.
He has also been a successful studio musician, appearing on albums by Robert Plant, Roni Size, Morrissey, Fairground Attraction, Paul Weller, Kirsty MacColl, Alison Limerick, Shola Ama, Ed Motta, Tony Allen, Mary Coughlan, Guy Chambers, D Influence, Black, Neneh Cherry, 4 Hero, Corduroy, Alexander O’Neal & many others.
For many years Roger was also a Professor of Music at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance in London
With such a pedigree, we think you’ll agree it’s essential you don’t miss In Our Own Space: Music and Conversation with ROGER BEAUJOLAIS
All tickets purchased will also allow exclusive access to a video recording of the performance for one month afterwards. This will provide those who join us on the night with the opportunity to relive the whole event and also give those who cannot make it on the night, the chance to watch it all later.Share this event

ROBERT MITCHELL (piano)
2020-12-03 20:15 - 21:45 | SoundCellar presents: In Our Own Space – Music and Conversation direct to your ‘own space’ via Zoom
Over his nearly 30 years entrenched in the art of music, Robert has released 10 albums of his own projects, participated in over 100 projects as a sideman, has performed in 40 countries and is achieving a growing reputation as an inspirational educator.
These days his primary focal points include his long-running ensemble Panacea, his trio Epiphany 3 with special guest dancer Masumi Endo, new electronic/song ensemble True Think, plus solo performance (including a fascination with one-handed works, which produced one solo album and festival – Leftitude – in 2013). He also continues to work with French saxophone great Julien Lourau, brilliant US singer (and 2011 SoundCellar performer) Alicia Olatuja, UK giant Courtney Pine CBE, Cuban violinist legend Omar Puente, multi instrumental master Orphy Robinson and in duos with cellist Shirley Smart and grammy winning Jason Rebello (another SoundCellar performer in 2011 and again earlier this year). He has recently recorded on albums/eps by Michael Olatuja, Julien Lourau, Courtney Pine CBE, US sax firebrand James Brandon Lewis and in duo with Shirley Smart. Two new albums and a second book of poetry are on the way.
His latest album ‘The Rainbow Mountain/Can We Care’ is his 10th and first live solo album. This was recorded at the Jazz Cafe (London) in a performance sharing the bill with Vijay Iyer. A continuous improvisation – finished off with the song – hence the double title. A review from UKVibe stated: ‘‘The Rainbow Mountain / Can We Care’ is an intimate, bold and thoroughly enjoyable listen and the perfect display of Robert Mitchell’s genius.” In 2014, his first large scale work Invocation, was successfully performed by the Grammy winning Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Goldsmith Big String and students from Avonbourne and Harewood schools, at St Peters Church (Bournemouth) and the Queen Elizabeth Hall (London).
In 2019 Robert worked as MD on a BBC4 television tribute to the great 60s TV show – Jazz 625 Live: For One Night Only (performing with Joshua Redman and Jacqui Dankworth and featuring Gregory Porter). It won Best Music Programme at the 2020 Broadcast Awards. He was among the group of nominees for the 2020 Hamlyn Award for Composition, who all then became recipients of the award due to the pandemic.
Robert is set to complete commissions for London Sinfonietta and JazzSouth in 2020. Robert is proud to be a Steinway Artist since 2009. He is now a Jazz Piano Professor at Guildhall School of Music & Drama. He sits on three Ivors Academy Panels: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee, Jazz, and Women In Music.
“The astonishing Robert Mitchell, familiar as the pianist and MD for the recent ‘BBC Four celebrates Jazz 625 For One Night Only’, took the keyboard apart in every sense of the word. He uses both hands and sometimes cross-hands with equal force to build solos of unbelievable depth and complexity. Urged on by his fellow players and the awe-struck audience, his playing became ever more audacious as the evening progressed.” thejazzmann.com
Having performed at SoundCellar with his groups Panacea in 2013 and Epiphany 3 in 2018, in addition to the 2014 world premiere of Invocation at St Peter’s Church described above, we are extremely pleased to be able to continue our strong local connections with Robert, by presenting him as one of our In Our Own Space: Music and Conversation artists
All tickets purchased will also allow exclusive access to a video recording of the performance for one month afterwards. This will provide those who join us on the night with the opportunity to relive the whole event and also give those who cannot make it on the night, the chance to watch it all later.
Note: there is an additional 80p booking charge from Eventbrite.Share this event
