(Cuneiform) This is Empirical’s fifth album and finds drummer Shaney Forbes, bassist Tom Farmer, saxophonist Nathaniel Facey and vibraphonist Lewis Wright further refining their already distinctive music. Last month the band preceded the release by creating a pop-up jazz lounge… Read More ›
Cockpit Theatre, London 29-02-2016 Jazz On 3 has broadcast for the last 18 years on its Monday night 11pm slot on BBC Radio 3 and has been a leading influence in the development of the UK scene over that period…. Read More ›
Birmingham Jazz, one of the few independent jazz clubs left in the region following the apparent folding of Stratford Jazz, opened its 2015 winter/spring season last Friday. As I understand it, Stratford Jazz’s end came because no volunteer could be found… Read More ›
(Naim Jazz naimcd 193) Empirical’s line-up – Nathaniel Facey on saxophone, Lewis Wright on vibraphone, Tom Farmer on bass and Shaney Forbes on drums – remains the same for this album as for the last two. But the addition of… Read More ›
mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham UK 18-02-2012 The music was nearly all from Empirical’s recent album Elements Of Truth (Naim Jazz), but it had been a while since the four members of the band had all been on stage at… Read More ›
Empirical have an excellent new album out, Elements Of Truth, on the Naim Jazz label, and bassist Tom Farmer found some time to talk to thejazzbreakfast about the band, the new material, and the state of British jazz in general…. Read More ›
Clark Tracey Sextet: Current Climate (Tentoten TTTCDS761) The drummer son is continuing the tradition of his father pianist (and of a big influence, Art Blakey) by opening his band up to rising talent, and keeping the music invigorated as a… Read More ›
Empirical: Out ‘n’ In (Naim naimcd 139) I got to hear this material in concert before I was really familiar with it on CD, and that was a great way to get to know it. However, if you haven’t had… Read More ›
CBSO Centre, Birmingham, UK 18-09-09 The Empirical of today might be smaller than before (away have gone trumpeter Jay Phelps and pianist Kit Downes; in has come vibes player Lewis Wright) but it continues to extend the jazz tradition, and… Read More ›
You’d think that the classic Blue Note jazz of the early 1960s – Eric Dolphy and all that – would have become exhausted as a source of inspiration for young jazz musicians. And then a young band comes along and… Read More ›
