Events

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A former Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year, keyboardist Peter Johnstone was awarded a prestigious Yamaha Scholarship before going on to win the much-coveted Peter Whittingham Jazz Award. This evening he ventures down from Scotland for their only London date to present the Peter Johnstone International Organ Quartet, featuring Joe Locke-vibes, Alyn Cosker-drums and Special Guest: Will Vinson-sax. The Award-winning New York-based world-renowned vibes master Joe Locke’s resume includes work with the likes of saxophonist Grover Washington Jnr, singer Dianne Reeves, pianist Kenny Barron and bassist Ron Carter. Will Vinson (Chris Potter, Kurt Elling) is an International artist whose playing has been described as “incredible power and dramatic sensitivity…characterized by…imposing sound and technique” and Alyn Cosker is one of the most in-demand drummers in the UK. This extraordinary quartet perform Peter’s sophisticated compositions, described as “rhythmically dynamic and full of colour and expression”.

"This is exhilarating music - breathtaking, exciting and life-affirming." UK Jazz News; “There seems little doubt that Locke, with his ability to play cool and funky, heady and relaxed, is set to become the pre-eminent vibraphonist in jazz.” The Times UK; "[Vinson] exciting young altoist with a lethal approach to writing and soloing” Time Out London

Photo of Peter Johnstone by Derek Clarke; Photo of Joe Locke by Richard Conde; Photo of Alyn Cosker by Patrick Hadfield; Photo of Will Vinson by Joanna Janke

Second time out in Zeffirellis for our local girl making a really classy performance along side quality player - Ben Lawrence.

Northern neo-soul duo Esk perform tracks fromtheir debut album People In Their Simplicity at Zeffirelli's mixed with a Christmas blend of tracks too. Having grown up in Ambleside and the wider Lakes, this is our pleasure to have ESK return to us.

Their music video was shot on and around Loughrigg Fell, which has been an important place of influence for them and their music. Known for their ‘beautifully-crafted songs of deceptive simplicity’, emerging artists Evie Hill and Ben Lawrence combine the rural soundscapes in which they grew up with the jazz influences they discovered later in life. Heavily influenced by D’Angelo, Moonchild, and Bon Iver, audiences can expect a night of subtle vocals and beautiful keys playing.
Quote: "a refreshing debut album, with beautifully-crafted songs of deceptive simplicity. Esk captures the spirit of contrasts sitting side-by-side. It’s reassuring to hear such confident new music created by young creatives with a clear sense of purpose." Steve Mead, Artistic Director, manchester jazz festival

Composed of guitarists Dan Bolam and Erin Stephens and double bassist Geoff Higginson, Caravanouche are the hottest of the Hot Clubs in the Lake District. Seasoned musicians in their own right, the trio share a love of acoustic instrumental jazz, particularly Gypsy Jazz, a style first popularized by the Romani guitarist Django Reinhardt in 1930s France. Bridging a diverse range of influences and styles - from Blues and Funk to Jazz and Classical - Caravanouche play traditional Gypsy Jazz with a contemporary edge.

Karen Marshalsay - The Three Scottish Harps
Karen Marshalsay is a master of traditional Scottish harp music. One of the very few musicians who specialise on all three Scottish harps – both gut- and wire-strung and the baroque bray harp with its buzzing sitar-like tone – Karen has appeared throughout the UK, Europe, America and Australia.
International collaborations include working with African, Indian and Paraguayan musicians, participating in multi-cultural projects including Yatra, which premiered at the Edinburgh Mela in 2008, and appearing at Beethoven 2020 in Bonn.
A particular interest in pipe music has led to Karen working with piping master and Gaelic song authority Allan MacDonald in his acclaimed pibroch concerts, including the Edinburgh International Festival’s From Battle Lines to Bar Lines series (2004), and for the National Piping Centre’s 2013 Ceòl na Piòba concert. In 2018 Karen was honoured as an invited participant in Féile na Laoch, which is held every seven years in memory of composer-arranger Seán Ó Riada in Cúil Aodha, Ireland.
Karen’s own compositions include commissions for Celtic Connections’ New Voices series. She was Composer in Residence with Harps North West in 2016 and is one of the first composers to be inducted into the New Traditional School Collection curated by Edinburgh University. Karen has also orchestrated her music for the Russian String Orchestra, with whom she appeared as featured soloist during Edinburgh Festival in 2018 and 2019. Her solo album of original and traditional music, The Road to Kennacraig, was produced by the award-winning record producer and song collector Robin Morton at Temple Studios and released in 2019. A new album is due to be released this summer.
In addition to solo concerts, Karen currently performs with the long-established Scottish traditional music band The Whistlebinkies and with the legendary Irish flute player, singer and founder of Boys of the Lough, Cathal McConnell’s trio.
Full of entertaining musical insights and the stories behind the tunes, Karen’s concerts take you into the timeless world of Scotland’s ancient instrument.

“One of the leading contemporary performers on the instrument” – The Scotsman
“One of the finest harpists in the world…all three Scottish harps centre stage and giving the acoustic lift that heightens the senses gloriously” – Liverpool Sound and Vision
“The Road to Kennacraig is a compelling and well-wrought collection” – The Living Tradition

Oppgard is a versatile Jazz collective based in the north of England, performing a mix of original pieces composed by members of the group, as well as a mix of standards and more from across the wide spectrum of Jazz. Every member who plays with the band brings with them a unique take on the band's repertoire, making every performance a unique experience. Taking influences from Wayne Shorter, Kenny Garrett and Kurt Rosenwinkel, and inspiration from Japanese Jazz, Afro-Cuban and many other genres from around the world, leads to a rich cultural mixing pot for the listener to enjoy.
The band has appeared at various venues on the Leeds Jazz scene, with other notable performances including a support act performance before Vasilis Xenopoulos & Paul Edis Quartet for Live @ Union Lane (Brampton) and multiple appearances at the Cockermouth Live! Festival.