Mike Williams SAMA Project and Kit Downes’ IN BED WITH trio for Jazzlines dates
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Birmingham-based jazz promoters Jazzlines present three diverse concerts early next year beginning with a rare and eagerly anticipated from revered local alto saxophonist, educator and composer Mike Williams (pictured left) who performs his SAMA project with a strong line-up exploring music inspired by Williams’ life in the city and his Sufi beliefs (CBSO Centre, 9 January).
jpg" alt="Mike-Williams" width="250" height="240">Birmingham-based jazz promoters Jazzlines present three diverse concerts early next year beginning with a rare and eagerly anticipated from revered local alto saxophonist, educator and composer Mike Williams (pictured left) who performs his SAMA project with a strong line-up exploring music inspired by Williams’ life in the city and his Sufi beliefs (CBSO Centre, 9 January). Williams has brought together a strong line-up for the gig including hotly-tipped trumpeter Percy Pursglove, trombonist Jeremy Price, tenor saxophonist Alex Merrit, baritone saxophonist Chris Maddock, guitarist Gareth Fowler, bassist James Banner and renowned jazz/session drummer Troy Miller.
Another interesting concert in the series features multi-talented Troyka keyboardist Kit Downes as part of IN BED WITH, a high-energy electro-acoustic trio with French drummer Sylvain Darrifourcq and guitarist Julien Desprez (pictured top, and video below), all appearing at the Hare & Hounds on 22 January. This gig is part of the Jazz Shuttle scheme that brings together British and French musicians for unique collaborations – the band will then play The Vortex on 23 January and are also part of next year’s Cheltenham Jazz Festival.
The CBSO Centre then hosts a double bill on 30 January featuring multi-reedist Mike Fletcher in a trio with drummer Jeff Williams and bassist Olie Brice, before Williams then leads his UK Sextet with a heavyweight line up of guitarist Phil Robson, saxophonists Josh Arcoleo and Finn Peters and bassist Sam Lasserson. Further Jazzlines dates include the Kenny Garrett Quintet (10 February, Town Hall, Birmingham); Marius Neset Quintet with Jim Hart (10 April, CBSO Centre); Polar Bear (21 April, Hare & Hounds) and the Walsall Jazz Orchestra who celebrate their 40th anniversary with guests Julian Argüelles and Martin Shaw (26 April, CBSO Centre).
– Mike Flynn
For more info www.thsh.co.uk/jazzlines