Here is a feature piece I wrote for The Birmingham Post – it was in their edition of 16-22 March: Composer and band-leader Sid Peacock is presenting the first of a new kind of arts festival. It’s called Surge In… Read More ›
john o’gallagher
Mondays at Yorks – the finest free jazz in town?
It’s a sign of a sophisticated city when good quality live music is acknowledged to be a vital and regular part of the cafe bar mix. And when that live music starts to feature international musicians of exceptional calibre, then… Read More ›
Kick the Dog – and feel good about it
Jazz At The Spotted Dog is busy planning its second compilation album and this one is going to be called Live At The Spotted Dog. It will feature four bands and will capture the great live atmosphere that is generated… Read More ›
Hans Koller – Retrospection
(Stoney Lane Records/Impossible Ark Records vinyl) There are three LPs of music in this beautifully produced limited edition package, and all the music is available to download as well, though it would be a pity to miss out on the… Read More ›
BJO has some big beasts in the band tonight
Birmingham Jazz Orchestra is playing this evening at the Actress & Bishop in Ludgate Hill, Birmingham, and among their ranks will be two older men, alto saxophonist John O’Gallagher and trombonist Hans Koller. They will be playing arrangements by Koller. The band, which… Read More ›
That exciting moment when a ‘bunch of wrong notes sound wonderful’
There’s a humdinger of a concert on Saturday at the CBSO Centre. Hans Koller, pianist, composer, arranger, band leader (for Michael Gibbs no less!) and educator, is bringing his ambitious Twelve Re-inventions for George Russell to the stage for its… Read More ›
Hans Koller on triple vinyl to be released in April
The Bavarian pianist and composer Hans Koller has been living in the UK for over half his life and has become a vital and much-respected figure both on the stage and in the classroom. He divides his time between London… Read More ›
Palmer Hill Band/John O’Gallagher/Chasing The Unicorn/Birmingham Conservatoire jazz students
Various venues 17/18-03-2015 A very full couple of days’ listening began on Tuesday at The Jam House for the monthly Jazzlines gig in that venue. Tom Hill and Ian Palmer were leading a new band that also featured alto saxophonist Chris Bowden and guitarist Lee Jones. Both Tom and Ian combine… Read More ›
Hunting a singular horn this evening
There’s something extra special happening down in Digbeth this evening. That “extra” is crucial because, such is the excellence of the programming at Jazz @ The Spotted Dog and at Fizzle‘s Lamp Tavern sessions that “special” has been turned into… Read More ›
Polar Bear leads the week’s choice Midland gigs
It’s hard to believe, but one of British jazz’s most innovative and distinctive bands is ten years old. Polar Bear, led by drummer Sebastian Rochford, has toured extensively over this decade and released its fifth recording at the beginning of… Read More ›
CD review: John O’Gallagher
The Anton Webern Project (Whirlwind Recordings WR4635) Once upon a time if the jazz listener made any connections with a classical composer it was usually Ravel or Debussy and those kind of extended harmonies were the link. Alto saxophonist John… Read More ›
