FREDDIE BENEDICT SEXTET - SPICEJAZZ presents at Crazy Coqs
Wed 4 September - 9.15 pm
Booking link https://tickets.crazycoqs.com/tickets/series/SJSFB24/spice-jazz-soho-freddie-benedict-1032056
Hailing from a theatrical family, Freddie’s extraordinary voice soared from a young age.
Originally a choral scholar and classical soloist, it is as a jazz interpreter that his mature, warm baritone voice has really found its calling. He cut his teeth as the lead singer of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and studied Jazz Singing at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. His silvery-fingered trumpet playing style and soft, velvety voice are uncannily reminiscent of the great Chet Baker, so it’s no surprise that he’s burst headfirst into the jazz spotlight.
Freddie joined a local church choir in South London as a child, which sent him on his way to becoming the ambitious and talented performer you’ll see on stage. His vocal talents have seen him play at some of the most sought-after and iconic venues all over the world, with the Carnegie Hall, Glyndebourne, the Royal Opera House, Ronnie Scott’s, The Ritz and The Savoy, to name but a few.
Accompanied by his first-rate quintet, he’ll perform all of his original material, which he’s currently recording and hoping to release in the not-so-distant future, as well as some standards and takes on modern classics.
Line up:
Freddie Benedict: vocal
Chris Bland: piano
Kieran Gunter: guitar
Luke Fowler: bass
Jess Bullen: saxophone
Luke Tomlinson: drums
INES LOUBET - SPICEJAZZ presents at Crazy Coqs - Part of SOHO JAZZ WEEK FESTIVAL
Wed 11 September - 9.15 pm
Booking link https://tickets.crazycoqs.com/tickets/series/SJSIL24/spice-jazz-soho-ines-loubet-1032057?startDate=09-11-2024
Line up:
Ines Loubet: vocals/acoustic guitar
Julio de Castro: electric bass
Jansen Santana: percussion
Inês Loubet is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who writes danceable songs that seamlessly blend improvisation and jazz harmony with captivating melodies and powerful lyrics.
Loubet’s musical journey has been marked by notable performances at prestigious venues and festivals. From gracing the stage at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall to a sold-out Tropicalia show at The Jazz Café, supporting Brazilian legend Gilberto Gil at the O2 Shepherds Bush, and sharing the spotlight with João Bosco & Hamilton de Holanda at The Union Chapel in 2018.
Loubet’s talent has garnered widespread recognition.
Her projects have received acclaim from influential figures such as Gilles Peterson and Mr Bongo, earning her several UK and international tours and radio appearances on platforms like Jazz FM, NTS, Soho Radio, and BBC Radio 3. In 2022, Loubet received the Drake Yolanda Award, and her dedication to her craft has been further supported by Arts Council funding for her 12-date UK SENGA Tour and Help Musicians UK.
Loubet’s creative journey culminates in her debut album, “SENGA,” set to rele ase in May 2024 under the Alberts Favourites south-London label.
TREVOR MIRE'S THE ROOLS - SPICEJAZZ presents at Crazy Coqs
Wed 18 September - 9.15 pm
Booking link: https://tickets.crazycoqs.com/tickets/series/SJSTRMI24/spice-jazz-soho-trevor-mires-the-rools-1032058
Line up: Trevor Mires – Tuba/trombone
Robbie Robson – Trumpet/tuba
Pat Levett – Drums,
Rob Updegraf – Guitar
“Since discovering the glorious music of the American band Khruangbin during the lockdowns of 2020, their music has inspired and soothed my soul.
I thought it would be fun to play some of their music with a ‘pocket band’, different instrumentation, and introduce some original music, inspired by them” – Trevor Mires
TREVOR MIRES has been at the forefront of the London music scene for nearly 15 years. His credits are wide-ranging. He has performed with, among others, George Benson, recorded and toured with multi-instrumentalist James Morrison, toured with Michel Le Grand, and recorded with Pat Metheny, Toots Thielemans, and David Sanborn.
Trevor was a member of jazz-funk band Jamiroquai and Incognito, recording and touring with both for a number of years.
Trevor is currently trombonist/arranger for Sir Tom Jones and recently toured with Randy Brecker’s European Big Band, as well as recording with Radiohead and performing with Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, and recording and performing with Mark Ronson.
“His groove has a deep pocket”– Zigaboo Modeliste (The Meters)
ADRIAN COX "Making runs" UK EP Tour - SPICEJAZZ presents at Crazy Coqs
Wed 25 September - 9.15 pm
Booking link: https://tickets.crazycoqs.com/tickets/series/SJSADCOX24/spice-jazz-soho-adrian-cox-new-album-lunch-1032060
“Makin’ Runs,” the latest project by internationally acclaimed clarinetist Adrian Cox, delves into alternative ragtime repertoire from the early jazz era, aiming to capture and express the music’s timeless essence.
According to legend, “Makin’ Runs” is a tune attributed to Buddy Bolden, heard by Bunk Johnson in New Orleans.
The phrase symbolises Bolden’s vision for inventive improvisations whilst never repeating himself.
The trio endeavors to emulate that spirit, crafting tight yet dynamic arrangements that honour the music’s original intent, allowing ample room for improvisational fire.
The program includes compositions by Duke Ellington, Sidney Bechet, Jelly Roll Morton, Barney Bigard and many more.
Line up:
Will Sach: double bass
Alex “Honey” Boulton: guitar
Adrian Cox: Clarinet
GERMANA STELLA LA SORSA ft, TARA MINTON - SPICEJAZZ presents at Crazy Coqs
Wed 02 October - 9.15 pm
Booking link https://tickets.crazycoqs.com/tickets/series/SJSGSS24/spice-jazz-soho-germana-stella-la-sorsa-1032074
LINE-UP:
Germana Stella La Sorsa – Voice
Sam Leak – Hammond Organ
Tom Ollendorff – Guitar
Jay Davis – Drums
Tara Minton (Special Guest) – Harp
Italian London-based singer Germana Stella La Sorsa migrated from Puglia, Italy, in 2017 and quickly established herself on the London jazz scene.
“Nudging boundaries as she goes” (The Slow MusicMovement) and exploring “the crossroads of many musical components, including story, composition, genre and style as well as instrumentation and effect” (London Jazz News), La Sorsa released her debut album‘Vapour’ in 2021 on 33 Jazz Records.
Following the success of her first record, the singer melds her disparate influences in her second studio album, ‘Primary Colours’. Praised as “a sure-fire statement of her confident stature amongst London’s top jazz cats” (Presto Music), La Sorsa’s new work continues to ride the contemporary/avant-garde jazz wave, further exploring the boundaries of improvisation and sound experimentation and drawing upon modern sounds and grooves, from drum’ n bass to Latin music.
“Her voice is powerful when required, but also capable of great variety and soulful subtlety.” – Jazz Journal“
La Sorsa’s raw and striking vocals are prominent in the musical mix, with her impressive scat moments driving the compositions forward.” – Jazz in Europe
JACK WILLIAMS "Open your mouth" - SPICEJAZZ presents at Crazy Coqs
Wed 09 October - 9.15 pm
Booking link https://tickets.crazycoqs.com/tickets/series/SJSJAWILL24/spice-jazz-soho-jack-williams-1032081
Do you find happy music depressing?
Sad music uplifting?
We’ll play both.
Jack is a pianist and composer who values surprise, adventure, playfulness, and tenderness. In this music, seemingly remote worlds are combined into a curious universe. Jazz, Prog Rock, Djent, classical. Sophisticated harmony, intense rhythms, heavy riffs, heartfelt melody.
Jack recently played in support of legendary jazz guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel and was featured as composer and soloist in Phil Meadows’ Future Movers project at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. He graduated with a Master’s Degree from Trinity Laban Conservatoire, awarded with Distinction.
In his original brand of Jazz, Jack and his band of miscreants juxtapose heavy grooving polyrhythmic riffs with curious speech samples, ear-twisting harmonies and brooding ballads in a programme featuring adventurous original compositions, some of his favourite tunes by his heroes and daredevil improvising.
Expect an adventure that battles between introspection and extroversion, pensiveness and eccentricity. For fans of Tigran Hamasyan, Wayne Shorter, Keith Jarrett, Knower, Peep Show
Line-up:
Jack Williams: Piano
Benjamin Crane: Bass
Filippo Galli: Drums
“Jack is a talented and committed musician. He is curious and follows that curiosity through to practice.”
– Elliot Galvin
“Jack is a creative musician with an original improvisatory and compositional language.”
– Dr. Bruno Heinen
IRENE SERRA "ISQ" - SPICEJAZZ presents at Crazy Coqs
Wed 16 October - 9.15 pm
Line-up :
Irene Serra: (Vocals, Synth, Electronics)
Luca Boscagin: (Guitar, Electronics)
Richard Sadler: (Bass, Electronics)
Chris Nickolls: (Drums, Electronics)
Irene Serra’s ISQ is a critically-acclaimed quartet from London that combines uplifting, elegant jazz-pop songs with powerful lyrics and Nordic Jazz sensibilities.
The band is formed of Irene Serra on vocals/synth/electronics (Wynton Marsalis, Norma Winstone, US3), Richard Sadler on double bass (founding member of the Neil Cowley Trio), Chris Nickolls on drums (Andy Sheppard, Jean Touissant, Ola Onabule) and newest band member Luca Boscagin on guitar (Jason Rebello, Cinematic Orchestra, Jim Mullen).
With unique shades of rock and electronic music and Serra’s vocal performances described as “Billie Holiday meets Kate Bush”, this crossover jazz outfit embraces songwriting in its own inimitable style.
The unique use of beautiful melodies, space, and surprising dynamics, coupled with Serra’s raw and evocative lyrics, weaves stories of a rare intensity. Undoubtedly, one of the most original bands on the scene.
In their 12th year since the release of their debut album and with a body of work that includes 4 critically acclaimed albums, ISQ’s performance tonight will include fresh arrangements of their most well-known tunes and a preview of new material from their forthcoming 5th album.
“… Sublime Vocals…”– JAZZ FM
“…A group who hone in on the soulful possibilities offered by improvisatory music…”– CLASH MAGAZINE
“…ISQ are a melting pot of genres – jazz, pop, acoustic and experimental – which all blend together to entrancing effect…” – TIME OUT LONDON CRITICS CHOICE
“…Their arrangements draw on jazz, rock and electronic music, using the skills of the band’s individuals to the full, in music which is uniquely theirs…” – UK JAZZ
“…Performed midway between jazz and soul mode, Serra occupies terrain Billie Holiday would find familiar; Sade too…”– JAZZWISE
★★★★
DOOLALY TAP - SPICEJAZZ presents at Crazy Coqs
Wed 23 October - 9.15 pm
Booking link https://tickets.crazycoqs.com/tickets/series/SJSDOO24/spice-jazz-soho-doolally-tap-1032091?startDate=10-23-2024
Doolally Tap’s infectious, foot-stomping live shows have taken the London vintage scene by storm, quickly establishing them as the band that most accurately evokes the bold, brassy, blues-infused spirit of 1920s New Orleans jazz.
Led by trombone ace and vocalist David Lalljee, the band has performed at venues and festivals up and down the country to great acclaim, even appearing in the short movie Melvin, shot at Pinewood Studios.
Expect rambunctious rags, swinging blues and gorgeous 1920s melodies performed with all the frolicsome fun and exuberance of the prohibition era. Not to be missed!
Line up:
David Lalljee (trombone & vocals)
Titch Walker (trumpet & vocals)
Mick Scriven (bass saxophone)
TBC(clarinet)
TBC(banjo)
ASPYRIAN "Album launch" - SPICEJAZZ presents at Crazy Coqs
Wed 30 October - 9.15 pm
2022 awardees of the Help Musicians UK Record/Release Fund, Aspyrian are a London-based trio blending jazz with an array of folk music traditions from different corners of the world. Influenced also by an eclectic mix of soulful songwriters and alternative bands, the result is an ensemble sound that is captivating and truly unique.
Since their sold-out show at the 2022 EFG London Jazz Festival, Aspyrian has been fast gaining a reputation as one of the most exceptional acts to emerge on the UK Jazz Scene in recent years.
The release of their album coincided with an 8-date UK tour around prestigious venues on the jazz circuit, which included performances at Pizza Express (The Pheasantry) and The Jazz Centre UK.
Line Up:
Robin Porter(Saxophones)
Jack Gillen(Guitar)
Matt Parkinson(Drums)
‘To Explore (vol. 1)’ – demonstrates the trio “creating a distinctive and expressive sound” and “[evokes] the freedom of spirit through their combined writing and performing.”– Mike Gates, UK Vibe.
“This trio brings together three of the most gifted young improvisers on the current scene.”– Pete Churchill (Royal Academy of Music)
Denys Batiste Quartet - SPICEJAZZ presents at Crazy Coqs - EFG London Jazz Festival 2024
Friday 15 November - 7 pm
Line up:
Denys Baptiste: Tenor Sax
Sultan Stevenson: Piano
Joel Barford: Drums
Larry Bartley: Double-Bass
Denys Baptiste presents his new quartet, exploring an exciting mix of new compositions, standards and revisiting a selection of his most memorable compositions from his award-winning albums.
This project features rising star Sultan Stevenson – a pianist of great depth and passion.
The mercurial Joel Barford on Drums. On the bass is Denys’ longtime collaborator Larry Bartley.
Expect an evening of deep swing infectious melodies and inventive solos
BEA ASURMENDI " Asteartea - SPICEJAZZ presents at Crazy Coqs - EFG London Jazz Festival 2024
Friday 15 November - 9.15 pm
Booking link https://tickets.crazycoqs.com/tickets/series/SPJABEA24/spice-jazz-soho-bea-asurmendi-1088281?startDate=11-15-2024
Line-up:
Bea Asurmendi – vocals
Gianluca Corona – guitar
Giovanni Cresseri – bass
Milena Granci – piano
Filippo Galli – drums
Demi Garcia Sabat – percussion
Originally from a little village in the mountains of the Basque Country, Bea has performed on world-class stages, including Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Pizza Express Jazz Club, The Jazz Cafe, and 606 Club. In 2023, she also had the opportunity to showcase her music at the EFG London Jazz Festival, opening for Ari Hoenig at Milton Court Concert Hall. Besides, she has played international festivals such as Atlantikaldia and Musika Parkean in Spain.
She will also be Headlining this year’s High Tide Festival in London Twickenham.
Presenting an evocative collection of original compositions where contemporary jazz Basque and Spanish folk sounds meet, Bea’s unmistakably personal voice and powerful lyrics unveil a unique and fearless expression of vulnerability over a soundscape that invites the listener to reflect upon grief, forgiveness, family, self-love, the importance of mental health awareness, and the meaning of being a woman in our society.
Royal Academy of Music Jazz Orchestra & Ensemble ‘Celebrating Blue Note Records 85th Anniversary -
Saturday 16 November - 2 pm
The acclaimed Academy Jazz Department is proud to collaborate once again with Spice Jazz Soho and the EFG London Jazz Festival to celebrate 85 years of the iconic Blue Note Records.
Focussing on two of the frequently unsung jazz giants on the label, the Jazz Orchestra presents the big band sounds of Duke Pearson, led by the leading trombonist and bandleader Winston Rollins and the legendary percussionist and vibes player Orphy Robinson, one of the few UK artists to be on the label himself, will lead the Jazz Ensemble in his tribute to the great Bobby Hutcherson.
EQUAL SPIRITS ‘Wise and Waiting’ - SPICEJAZZ presents at Crazy Coqs - EFG London Jazz Festival 2024
Saturday 16 November - 7 pm
Led by composer/arranger/multi-instrumentalist Raph Clarkson, Equal Spirits brings together a genre-defying mix of South African spiritual jazz, ambient improvised introspection, bursts of old-school hip-hop and electronica, soaring melodies, synths, samples, and gospel-infused grooves, woven together with sung and spoken languages from Zulu to English.
Their debut album, ‘Wise and Waiting,’ released this year on Ubuntu Music, celebrates the profound and beautiful contribution made by South African musicians to British Jazz and Improvised music.
Line up:
Xolani Mbatha – vocals
Raph Clarkson – trombone and vocals
Chris Batchelor – trumpet and flugelhorn
Phil Merriman – keys/synths
Riaan Vosloo – double bass
Yuval Wetzler – drums/SPDS
“joyous and uplifting” – Jamie Cullum BBC radio2
“Something to feed the soul” – Soweto Kinch BBC radio 3
“Extraordinary, impassioned… the legacy of the great South African generations…as well as their European champions…have rarely been celebrated as empathically and ecstatically as this”
– John Fordham, Jazzwise Magazine
“fresh and inspiring…worth the wait” – Jon Turney, uk jazz news
“saluting the greats of South African jazz, [equal spirits] create a rousing, unified sound” – Kevin Le Gendre, Jazzwise magazine
“What is so thrilling about the music presented by Equal Spirits is the way it touches on all our emotions from the sadness to joy, thought-provoking texts that both stimulate and fuel the mind and lift the spirit.” – Nick Lea, Jazz Views
“weaves together the joys of South African music” – Chris Phillips jazz fm
BLUES AND ROOTS ENSEMBLE ft. Tara Minton - SPICEJAZZ presents at Crazy Coqs - EFG London Jazz Festiv
Sunday 17 November - 5 pm
Blues and Roots Ensemble (BARE) was formed in 2016 to share the music of Charles Mingus and other significant jazz protest music composers through performances and education projects. A collective of internationally renowned musicians, BARE is known for its interactive performances and innovative approaches to music education.
The ensemble has performed sold-out shows at The Jazz Cafe, The Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall, and Pizza Express Soho. 2025 will be the band’s fourth performance for the EFG London Jazz Festival, and it will return with an exciting repertoire of new arrangements and classic compositions.
Line-up:
Ed Babar – Director/Double Bass
Tara Minton – Vocals
George Millard – Sax
Eikel Venegas – Trumpet
David Lalljee – Trombone
Frances Leith – French Horn
Flavio Li Vigni – Drums
Pete Letanka – Piano
“Blues and Roots Ensemble did a service to the larger-than-life legend Charles Mingus…handling the complexities of the bass playing genius with a dapper swagger.”– Jazz Standard.