TENEMENT JAZZ BAND
A traditional jazz band with a now rather unusual drumless set-up, seeking to capture the raw energy and excitement of the earliest jazz recordings, where jazz first sprung from the melting pot of the New Orleans culture clash and the sound of classic military horns first took on the flair and swing of blues and gospel music. The band seek to find and revive lesser-heard songs of the era and cultivate their own interpretations, all in order to captivate experienced jazzers, dancing persons, and uninitiated ears alike.
New Orleans trad has movement woven into it’s very core and every incantation brings an undeniable need to tap your feet and dance along. This is music for every listener, from the very roots of jazz.
Tenement Jazz Band’s debut digital album, ‘New Orleans Wiggle’, is available from Bandcamp here, on a ‘set your own price’ basis of £5 or more.
BLUE GIANT ORKESTAR
Talk about bad luck with timing. This brand new 8-piece band (also featuring Tom Pickles on saxophone, from Tenement Jazz Band, Swampfog, Thunkfish and many more) recorded their first two songs on the 15th of March, before promptly being disbanded to their separate housing for self-isolation. The explosive trans-european fusion project mashes together Balkan accordion and fiddle with brassy horns, and featuring a Middle Eastern flair – such as in this tune which was composed by accordionist (and absurdly talented multi-instrumentalist) Chris Lyons in ode to a delicious Arabic dip:
Blue Giant Orkestar (orkestar is the Serbo-Croatian word for ‘orchestra’) have been building this new band for the past year and were set to debut with a run of gigs before crisis struck. We’re very excited to see where they go from here when things are up and running. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube to keep up with their developments and look out for future gigs!
Feature image of Blue Giant Orkestar by Allan Ferguson Photography.
THE JAZZ BAR’S 17-PIECE BIG BAND
Here’s another of our resident videographer, Jimmy Dunn’s recordings of The Jazz Bar’s 17-piece Big Band, for those who are missing their Monday evenings with us. This time the recording is from early March this year, which just goes to show how quickly the world shifted underneath us. We held a number of successful concerts in the beginning of March, including the Krewe of Muses special event for International Women’s Day, and hosting a mini-residency with world-renowned NYC pianist Michael Kanan. Please continue supporting musicians however you can, so that we can carry through and continue to bring you world-class music day in and day out.
You can also check out Big Band bassist Erik Lars Hansen’s YouTube page here, for more Big Band performances.
DONATE
You can continue to support us and the professional musicians who are struggling right now, by donating what you might usually spend on an entry fee or a drink, or any other amount that you wish. Professional musicians and all hospitality/event staff are facing an incredibly difficult time, having seen months of steady work disappear over-night. Any donations would be extremely appreciated to help us to continue to pay our staff through our closure and support our local event staff community in any way that we can.