mac, Birmingham UK 15-05-2012 It’s an endless source of fascination to me how the classical jazz trio of piano, bass and drums has changed down the years and how freshness and innovation can still be found in this well-worn format…. Read More ›
jazzlines
Concert review: Trio Libero
CBSO Centre, Birmingham UK 11-05-2012 Trio Libero is saxophonist Andy Sheppard’s latest band, with Michel Benita on double bass and Seb Rochford on drums – or perhaps Sebastian is more appropriate in this context. The band began this concert as… Read More ›
Two top trios in the week ahead in gigs
After a relatively quiet couple of weeks in Birmingham, this is something of a bumper week for jazz, with two major trios visiting the city for two unmissable gigs. Andy Sheppard first came to my attention when he won a… Read More ›
Abram Wilson becomes Jazzlines’ first associate artist
The New Orleans-born, UK-resident trumpeter, composer and bandleader Abram Wilson has become the first associate artist of the new Jazzlines organisation in Birmingham. Wilson has been leading an exciting education project in which over 200 children from the Ladywood inner… Read More ›
The week ahead in Midland gigs
The always entertaining Walsall Jazz Orchestra fills to overflowing the stage space at the Symphony Hall Foyer Bar this evening, under the guidance of John Hughes, and is certain to ease those Rush Hour Blues. And isn’t it about time… Read More ›
Why it’s a dog’s life for jazz in Birmingham
I’ve just got home from a strange meeting. It was upstairs in a pub in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. What was that atmosphere? Did it have the feel of a wake, but without the bonhomie and kind, if insincere, condolences? Or… Read More ›
Birmingham Jazz and Jazzlines – what’s in a name?
A new name has started to appear over the last couple of weeks behind bands playing in Birmingham. It has been there behind Hamish Livingstone’s Titanic Project in the Symphony Hall Cafe Bar, and alongside the Neil Cowley Trio at… Read More ›
Cowley leads the week ahead’s Midland gigs
Do you have some friends who find it difficult to share your love of jazz because they find it too sedate? Do they need a bit more rock ‘n’ roll energy in their live music? Then bring them along to… Read More ›