Nick Costley-White Quartet

Nick is fast becoming one of the most in demand guitarists on the UK jazz scene and has performed with some of the countries most renowned jazz musicians such as Martin Speake, Stan Sulzmann, Steve Fishwick, Jeff Williams and composer John Warren (ECM), touring in the UK Europe, Australia and South America. The Nick Costley-White Quartet combine their love and deep understanding for the jazz tradition with a fresh and modern aesthetic. Their repertoire draws on unique interpretations of songs from the jazz cannon as well as their own exciting and harmonically rich compositions. The band is made up of some of the countries finest improvising musicians: Matt Robinson on piano, Conor Chaplin on double bass and Dave Hamblett on drums. The quartet’s debut album Detour Ahead, recorded in April 2017, portrays a narrative exploring the group’s musical journey. It begins with performances which draw from the American Songbook tradition and travels through to a more modern aesthetic inspired by the surroundings of London’s jazz scene. This compelling journey explores sounds from many perspectives simultaneously. Forms, harmonies and rhythms are superimposed and abstracted but still retain their essential function, whilst the improvisations express the excitement and beauty of these frameworks.

 

“Boppishly fluent and sensitive”   …John Fordham (Guardian)

 

“A classy player with an elegant and subtle way with a good tune”    …London Jazz News

18th October, 8pm at The Blue Lamp
Tickets £12, concession £10

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Graeme Stephen – Letters for Peace

Letters For Peace is a new work composed by Graeme Stephen and is performed by Graeme Stephen and the Chamber String Trio as part of the SOUND FESTIVAL in collaboration with Jazz at The Blue Lamp.

 

“The conscientious objector does not believe that violence can cure violence, or that militarism can exorcise the spirit of militarism. He persists in feeling solidarity with those who are called “Enemies” and he believes that if this feeling were more widespread among us it would do more than armies and navies can ever do to prevent the growth of aggressive imperialism, not only among ourselves but also among potential enemies.” – Letter from Bertrand Russell to the editor of the Manchester Guardian 

 

Letters for Peace is Graeme Stephen’s new work composed for string trio and guitar. Letters written by conscientious objectors who refused conscription to fight during the First World War inspires the music. The work is intended to show the futility of war through the words of objectors who refused to fight and kill for a cause they did not agree with. Their grounds were personal, philosophical or religious. These performances will engage with the public perception of war and highlight the sacrifices made by objectors in the name of peace. The piece use’s text from letters from conscientious objectors as well as anti-war poetry and images to create a multi-media work which celebrates peace and displays the futility of conflict. Conscientious objectors made a huge sacrifice for their beliefs. They refused to kill their fellow man and, as a consequence were taken from their families and imprisoned in the harshest of conditions. Their stance highlighted the very futility and madness of war: through this new work we celebrate these values. Today we are regularly bombarded by positive imagery of the military. It has become so normalised that it’s hard to question it. This work is intended to counter this image and challenge public perception of conflict by looking at an often-overlooked part of war’s history. The work is intended to celebrate peace and display the madness of war.

 

“There is no doubt many kinds of reasons which lead men to become conscientious objectors but I am convinced that the chief reason and the most valid is precisely that sense of the “the solidarity of Mankind’ of ‘Our membership one of another”. – Bertrand Russell

25th October, 8pm at The Blue Lamp
Tickets £12, concession £10

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Philippe Lemm Trio

Philippe Lemm – Drums (center)
Angelo Di Loreto – Piano (left)
Jeff Koch – Bass (right)The Philippe Lemm Trio is continually proving to be one of the most exciting and electrifying jazz trios around today. Led at the helm by drummer Philippe Lemm, the group met in New York in 2011, and after one session together, realised that their undeniable chemistry was one that needed to be taken and shared with the world. Comprised of three musicians with exceptional command of their instruments, the group’s repertoire draws heavily from re-imaginations of jazz standards in a way that both defies genre and corresponds to any modern jazz fan. The group uses their trust and understanding of one another’s musical tendencies to create passionate musical soundscapes, which range from traditional jazz to progressive rock/classical-influenced music. Hearing the trio is a special and unforgettable experience, and you will be captivated after listening to one piece. Their TV appearance on the TV-show Vrije Geluiden led to sold out concerts throughout The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany on the first half of their European CD release tour. The trio has performed on stages like North Sea Jazz Festival, Pori Jazz Festival, Bimhuis (Amsterdam), Getxo Festival (Bilbao), Rockwood Musichall (New York), Loftas (Vilnius), Tivoli (Utrecht) and the Blue Frog (Mumbai). 

 

“Stunning, beautiful, and magnificent music was performed at the 2017 Northwest Jazz Festival. An overwhelming audience favorite. The Philippe Lemm Trio are consummate musicians with intricate and exciting arrangements. One of the most refreshing jazz music to hit our festival in years!”          … Tony Zambito, Artistic Director North West Jazz Festival

1st November, 8pm at The Blue Lamp
Tickets £12, concession £10

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Zoe Francis & Jim Mullen: Remembering Blossom Diarie

Zoe Francis and jazz guitar legend Jim Mullen take a fresh look at the repertoire of iconic American singer/pianist Blossom Dearie, whose unique vocal style and accompaniment personalised every song she sang. Having learnt her craft singing in small venues in Manhattan with great musicians including Harry Allen and Joe Cohn, Zoe has now established herself on the London jazz scene with her first album ‘Looking For A Boy’. Jim Mullen is a multi-award winning guitarist with a unique style and sound, who is regarded as the high priest of the instrument by most young guitarists. One half of legendary jazz duo, ‘Morrissey–Mullen’, Jim is one of the most powerful musicians ever to appear on the British Jazz scene.

 

“A stunningly beautiful voice”   – … Harry Allen

 

“A poised singer who respects her material enough to deliver it straight and true”   – …. London Jazz News

8th November, 8pm at The Blue Lamp
Tickets £15, concession £12

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Alan Benzie Trio

Winner of the BBC Scottish Young Jazz Musician of the Year at only 17 and Berklee College of Music’s prestigious Billboard Award, pianist/composer Alan Benzie is one of the UK’s most exciting talents. He is joined by friends and long time collaborators Andrew Robb on bass (BBC Scottish Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2009) and Marton Juhasz on drums. Their debut album ‘Traveller’s Tales’ and more recent release “Little Mysteries” both garnered glowing reviews, with “Little Mysteries” also winning Best Album in the 2018 Scottish Jazz Awards. They have been delighting audiences throughout the UK and Europe over the last few years, including at London International Jazz Festival and United Europe Jazz Festival, as well as being the featured artists on BBC Radio 3’s ‘Jazz Line-Up’, Austrian National Radio and BBC Scotland’s ‘The Jazz House’ and ‘Jazz Nights’. The music is rooted in European and American jazz, but is influenced by impressionist piano music and film music, and Benzie’s love of Japanese animation gives a visual, storytelling quality. From sensitive, magical textures to virtuosic explosions of energy, the trio are both sophisticated and accessible, with the warmth, empathy and interplay that can only be achieved through great friendship and years of making music together.

 

“Tasteful and well-judged, this trio makes a terrific team… (Benzie) has created a set of memorable tunes and his playing, plus that of his colleagues, is exemplary throughout. There is a radiance and beauty about this music.”   – … The Jazz Mann

 

“Andrew Robb and Marton Juhasz on bass and drums are all about close ensemble interaction, and sometimes it’s as if their sounds were coming out from the inside of Benzie’s piano… Benzie’s playing has a hushed yet yearning quality to it; an exquisite touch and elegant virtuosity make for a thoroughly engaging listen.”   – … Jazzwise

 

“Benzie doesn’t sound like a young artist struggling for a voice… There’s an affecting sense of place in the quiet ostinatos and modulations of Hazy Dawns…but with drummer Marton Juhasz and bassist Andrew Robb, the trio fire up plenty of dynamism too”   – … The Guardian 

15th November, 8pm at The Blue Lamp
Tickets £15, concession £12

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Mercy, Mercy, Mercy

Scotland’s Jazz super group led by Colin Steele and Martin Kershaw return to the Lamp with their dynamic rhythm section of Steve Hamilton (piano), Ed Kelly (bass) and Alyn Cosker (or Tom Gordon) (drums) to celebrate the music Julian Cannonball Adderley and his brother Nat. Cannonball (Julian) was one of those musicians who managed to appeal to an exceptionally wide audience. His participation on Miles Davis’s ‘Kind of Blue’ album made him a part of jazz history, but he was also one of the first (and finest) purveyors of soul jazz, retaining popularity when many other jazz musicians were struggling against the pop tides. With his brother Nat they wrote and performed some of the best soul jazz of the 60s and had a big hit with Joe Zawinul tune Mercy!Mercy! Mercy! giving the name to this band.

22nd November, 8pm at The Blue Lamp
Tickets £15, concession £12

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Lorenz Kellhuber Trio

Jazz at The Blue Lamp has worked with Aberdeen Council to bring Lorenz Kellhuber to Aberdeen as part of the Twin City initiative with Regensburg in Germany. Lorenz Kellhuber is considered an extraordinary instrumentalist, composer and improviser. In the Summer of 2014, he became the first German musician to receive first place in the renowned Parmigiani Montreux Jazz Piano Solo Competition from Monty Alexander. In 2016, Lorenz was nominated for the Jazz ECHO as “Newcomer of the Year”. Having released four trio records, his first solo album, “Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival”, came out in October 2017. His countless concerts took him through Europe, to the US and to South America. He played numerous festivals such as Montreux Jazz Festival, Jazz Festival Basel, Getxo Jazz Festival, Alto Adige Jazz Festival, Mar Del Plata Jazz Festival and Burghausen Jazz Week. Lorenz worked with musicians such as Lee Ritenour, Charles Lloyd, Bob Mintzer, Markus Stockhausen, Eric Harland, Al Porcino, T.S. Monk, Ed Partyka and Ack van Rooyen. From the first note, he unfolds a unique soundscape to his audience, whether it be at his fully improvised solo concerts or as a bandleader. The merging of jazz with elements from classical music, blues, gospel and ambient rock make him an entirely contemporary artist. Combined with technical perfection and an impressive artistic maturity, there is no limit to his inventiveness.

29th November, 8pm at The Blue Lamp
Tickets £15, concession £12

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Tom Syson Quintet

Tom Syson is a highly regarded trumpeter and composer based in the UK, and is set to embark on a 4th UK tour as a leader since 2016 in November/December of this year. He has recently been named as the new holder of the prestigious lead trumpet chair at the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and has been described as “one of the stars of the UK to look out for” (Sarah Ward, JazzFm). His “creativity, as a composer and instrumentalist, leaves one in no doubt as to his bright future in contemporary jazz and he’s surely here to stay” (London Jazz News). This tour will be featuring a new line up, with a transition from his usual sextet to quintet. The band features Tom Barford (2017 Kenny Wheeler Prize Winner) on tenor saxophone, David Ferris (2014 Mike Gibbs Prize Winner) on piano, Pete Hutchison (Dixie Strollers, Hofesh Shechter Company, Abandoman) on double bass and Jonathan Silk (Soweto Kinch, Trope) on drums. New music of Tom’s will be performed on this tour with a view to recording a 2nd album in 2019. The tour follows on from the release and tour of his debut record ‘Green’ in 2017, which featured Lauren Kinsella on a track, as well as being produced by Percy Pursglove. ‘Green’ received a large amount of press coverage, which included a feature on BBC Radio 3’s Jazz Now and substantial radio play on JazzFM. It also included some great reviews from leading jazz publications in the UK.

 

“It’s  a bold statement from an exciting new voice”  … Jazzwise

 

“Fabulous young trumpeter and composer…one of the stars of the UK to look out for…marvellous young player’  … Sarah Ward, JazzFm 

 

“Tom Syson’s creativity, as a composer and instrumentalist, leaves one in no doubt as to his bright future in contemporary jazz. He’s surely here to stay”  … London Jazz News

 

“An album that deserves to establish Syson firmly on the UK jazz map. It’s a bold and thoroughly convincing debut”  … Jazzmann

6th December, 8pm at The Blue Lamp
Tickets £15, concession £12

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Aberdeen Jazz Orchestra

The North East of Scotland’s own big band plays tribute to the great sound of the bands of the 40s 50s and 60s such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Stan Kenton. AJO is an amalgamation of the cream of jazz musicians in the Aberdeen area and are renowned for their big sound and great arrangements. Come along and get back to the big band era with a festive twist.

13th December, 8pm at The Blue Lamp
Tickets £15, concession £12

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