Mathias Eick Quartet set to tour

Awarded an £80,000 prize to develop the international profile of his quartet by Norwegian company StatoilHydro at the by:Larm festival, Eick’s group has the leader with pianist/keyboardist Andreas Ulvo, drummer Rune Arnesen and electric bassist Auden Erlien. Material from Eick’s debut ECM album The Door, released last year, will provide the platform for the group’s performances. Since being voted the world’s best young jazz talent by the Organisation of International Jazz Festivals two years ago, Eick has furthered his reputation as a front-line soloist with international performances in drummer Manu Katché’s band. He is also known for his work in the jazz-rock group, Jaga Jazzist, the groundbreaking Trygve Seim collective and the psychedelic group, Motorpsycho. Tour dates are: Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, Wednesday 22 April; the Dean Clough Galleries, Halifax, Thursday 23 April; Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, Friday 24 April; the O’Reilly Theatre, Keble College, Oxford, Saturday 25 April; The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, Sunday 26 April; Vortex, London, Tuesday 28 April; Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham, Wednesday 29 April and the Bray Jazz Festival, Ireland next month, Friday 1 May.