(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 ›
Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton UK 14-02-2014 Review and photograph by John Watson Bassist Gary Crosby has long been a key figure on the scene, and he has the knack of creating some exceptional musical surprises. As the boss of Dune Music, as… 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 ›
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 ›
The master drummer had worked with a band of young UK players, all part of the Jerwood Charitable Foundation’s involvement with the Cheltenham Jazz Festival over the past years. They opened with a long, solo-filled version of DeJohnette’s Zoot Suite,… Read More ›
