Jazz Services - A voice for jazz

The Campus

Welwyn Garden City

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Hertfordshire

 

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At the beginning of 2011 Abram Wilson formed his new band, the Abram Wilson Quartet, consisting of Alex Davis on double bass, Dave Hamblett on drums and Reuben James on piano. They have since played at a number of established London venues including the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre supporting the Canadian jazz vocalist Nikki Yanofsky; Kings Place, London; and Harrow Arts Centre as part of the London Jazz Festival. In July 2011 they played at Twickenham Film Studios where their performance was streamed live to seven UK cinemas. At the end of 2011 renowned jazz drummer and younger brother to Wynton, Jason Marsalis joined the Abram Wilson Quartet to play at Kings Place and Turner Sims, Southampton resulting in rave reviews including four stars from the FT and the Times. The Quartet are embarking on a national tour between April - July 2012 followed by an album release of new music composed by Wilson entitled Philippa, with further touring from autumn 2012 onwards. They will also be performing as part of a new septet with the legendary Peter King, Jean Toussaint (Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers) and Winston Rollins (The Jools Holland Big Band). Abram Wilson - Trumpet and Vocals Multi-award winning New Orleans trumpeter and vocalist Abram Wilson is one of the leading jazz trumpeters in the UK today. He has performed with members of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the Roy Hargrove Big Band and rhythm and blues legend, Ruth Brown as well as renowned British jazz artists such as Soweto Kinch, Julian Joseph and Andy Sheppard. To date he has recorded and toured three albums to critical acclaim: Jazz Warrior (2005); Ride! Ferris Wheel to the Modern Day Delta (2007), a Jerwood Rising Star commission for the Cheltenham Jazz Festival; and Life Paintings (2009). His albums have led to a clutch of awards and nominations including winner of the BBC Jazz Award for Best Band (2004), the International Songwriting Competition (2006) and the British Jazz Award for Best New CD (2007). With trumpet playing reminiscent of Freddie Hubbard, Miles Davis and Wynton Marsalis and the vocals of Sammy Davis Jr. and Chet Baker, Wilson has created a unique and captivating style of melodic compositions that swing and groove. Charismatic on stage and off Abram Wilson?s musicality exudes warmth, passion, virtuosity and soul. "Vibrant, confident, and just damn exciting" - The Independent "Truly astonishing...A fiery, colourful trumpeter and a gracefully cajoling soul singer, Wilson is a definite hot ticket" - The Guardian Alex Davis - Double Bass Over the last ten years Alex Davis has had the privilege to play and be mentored by the likes of Gilad Atzmon, Edward Simon, Omar Puente, Lucky Ranku, Giuliano Modarelli, Bhupinder Singh Chaggar, Jesse Banister, Stephen Keogh, Steve Berry and Leroy Johnson. Davis has been studying double bass for the last two years and has already created a strong following with his knowledge, depth and skill. He currently divides his time between York and London but plans to move to London permanently next year to prepare for the Quartet?s 2012 tour. Dave Hamblett - Drums Dave Hamblett has a wealth of performance experience with some exceptional musicians and projects including the F-ire Collective Large Ensemble, Ivo Neame Quartet, Sam Crowe Group, Richard Fairhurst's Triptych, Jonathan Bratoeff Quartet, Jasper Hoiby, Stan Sulzmann, Julian Arguelles, Elizabeth Shepherd and Elisa Caleb. He also has his own band, the Dave Hamblett Group, a sextet which featured in Jazzwise December 2010 describing Hamblett as ?one to look out for in 2011?. Reuben James - Piano Reuben James recently began his first year at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance specialising in jazz. At just 18 years of age he has already demonstrated he is an exceptional pianist bringing a new flavour of jazz to the London scene with influences from Herbie Hancock, Robert Glasper, D'Angelo, Ahmed Jamal and Brian McKnight. He has recently enjoyed being on tour with one of the UK?s finest soul singers, Ruby Turner and is looking forward to joining the Abram Wilson Quartet this summer for their 20 date tour.

 

Sunday, May 13, 2012

8.00pm

£16.00/£13.00/£10.00/£5.00 students and under 21s

01707 357117