Cheltenham Jazz Club

Sat 4 February, 8:00 pm Frank Harrison Trio

@ Studio Theatre at the Everyman, Regent Street , Cheltenham. GL50 1HQ

Frank Harrison took up the piano at 11, and began playing gigs when he was 15. After taking up a scholarship at Berklee School Of Music, Boston, he returned to the UK and joined Gilad Atzmon’s band. In 2000 they started the Orient House Ensemble, with whom Frank has recorded seven albums, including BBC Jazz Album Of The Year 2003, Exile. The band regularly tours Europe, playing at major Jazz and World music festivals. Frank has also performed with Peter King, Julian Arguelles, Julian Siegel, Don Weller, Alan Barnes, John Etheridge, Louis Stewart and Iain Ballamy.

In 2006 Frank formed a trio with drummer Stephen Keogh and bassist Aidan O’Donnell. Their debut album, First Light, launched to critical acclaim and they have since toured regularly in Europe and the Far East, as well as collaborating with special guests such as Louis Stewart and Tina May. Frank’s new trio features Davide Petrocca on bass and Stephen Keogh on drums.

As ever at the Studio Theatre, seats are limited, so make sure you do not miss this one and book early!

Tickets are £10.00 from the box office: 01242 572573 or on line: www.everymantheatre.org.uk

Mon 13 February, 8:00 pm Jim Mullen's All-Star Quartet.

@ D’FLY, 1A Crescent Place, Cheltenham. GL50 3NX

This great gig will star Jim Mullen (guitar) with Gareth Williams (piano), Mick Hutton (bass) and Gary Husband (drums).

Born in Glasgow in 1945, Jim Mullen began his musical life aged 8 playing “Tea-chest bass” in the neighbourhood skiffle group. He got his first guitar the same year, and when an older friend introduced him to jazz, he was hooked.
In 1975 he met sax player Dick Morrissey and began a 15 year association which produced 7 albums and became one of Britain’s top club bands. After the demise of Morrissey-Mullen he worked with almost everybody, his standing in the jazz world going from strength to strength.

Gareth Williams is one of the most intensely creative, dynamic and exciting performers on the UK scene, Gareth has been receiving increasing critical and public acclaim since becoming a professional musician in the early 90s. Described as “jewel of a player… spinning out luminous introductions and codas” by Jazziz Magazine (USA), he has dazzled audiences not only by his virtuoso approach to the piano, but also by his multi-instrumentalist talents on guitar and vocals.

British bassist Mick Hutton – described as ‘one of Europe’s finest bass players’ (by Steve Rubie of 606 Club) – has been an in-demand player for over twenty-five years, working with artists such as Bill Bruford, John Taylor and Tim Garland. He was also a member of First House, with Django Bates, Martin France and Ken Stubbs. In 2004, Mick tore a ligament in his hand and his double-bass playing days were all but over, thankfully Mick is now back on form and we welcome him back to Cheltenham.

Gary Husband, 1960 in Leeds, is an English jazz and rock drummer, pianist and composer. In addition to work with his own projects he collaborates with artists such as Allan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin, Billy Cobham, Mike Stern, Jack Bruce, Robin Trower, Germany’s Norddeutscher Rundfunk and HR big bands among others. Known for his wide musical versatility he has also performed and recorded (on either instrument or both his instruments) with a virtual who’s who of jazz.

Tickets (cash/chq only) £11, CJ Members/Concessions £10.
Available at the door, or (cash only) from Millennium Music, 26 Winchcombe Street Cheltenham GL52 2LX

Wed 7 March, 8:00 pm Yukaka Shina / Damon Brown Quartet

@ D’FLY, 1A Crescent Place, Cheltenham. GL50 3NX

We have had the enormously talented pianist Yukata Shina twice before at CJ, the first time, again with Damon, at the Subtone. He caused quite a stir, you just couldn’t believe how talented he was! But looking back over Yutaka’s CV you realise that he has played with a few heavyweights over the years, these include Roy Hargrove and one or two of the Marsalis family. His technique is phenomenal and must not be missed.

Again, Damon Brown is no stranger to us, he has had considerable success playing cornet with, amongst others, Steve Grossman and Robin Aspland. His silky tone is much admired by fans of the cornet, who believe it to be even more expressive than the trumpet.

Martin Zenker is new to us, not surprisingly, originally from Munich, the excellent bassist is now Professor of Jazz double bass at the University of Seoul, South Korea.

Another new name, Matt Skelton on drums, he has played with Ray Gelato, the Syd Lawrence Orchestra and Harry “Sweets” Edison. Has toured and recorded extensively with Stacey Kent.

Tickets (cash/chq only) £11, CJ Members/Concessions £10.
Available at the door, or (cash only) from Millennium Music, 26 Winchcombe Street Cheltenham GL52 2LX