Halstead Jazz Club

Sunday 8 November - Stan Sulzmann and Nick Smart

backed by... Jim Treweek-piano, Pete Ringrose-bass, Buster Birch-drums.

Stan Sulzmann is without question one of the most highly respected musicians in the UK today, admired by musicians and audiences for his instantly recognisable sound, and boundless creative imagination, and is a source of inspiration to many of Britain's emerging young musicians.
Sulzmann’s career stretches back to the 60’s, when as part of a uniquely talented crop of British musicians, he played with Graham Collier, John Taylor, Kenny Wheeler, Gordon Beck, as well as leading many groups of his own.
Since that time Stan has been at the forefront of European contemporary jazz, and his talents have been sought by a host of discerning musicians, including Gil Evans, Mike Gibbs, Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland and Michael Brecker. Constantly in demand as a guest soloist, he has appeared with bands across Europe, including the Hilversum Radio Orchestra, NDR Big Band (alongside Chet Baker), Hanover Radio Symphony Orchestra and the New York Composers Orchestra.
Further intimate and refreshingly innovative musical partnerships have developed with acclaimed British pianist Nikki Iles, American keyboard player Marc Copland and the trio Ordesa - a drumless, bassless combination with Kenny Wheeler and John Parricelli, which was described in The Independent as "possibly the strongest new band in the country".

After studying music at Salford University and the postgraduate course at the Guildhall School of Music, Nick Smart quickly established himself as a busy jazz trumpeter and educator. He has performed with numerous groups including the Stan Sulzmann Big Band, London Jazz Orchestra, Michael Garrick Big Band, BBC Big Band and is the regular soloist with the James Taylor Quartet. In 2005 Nick released his debut album “Remembering Nick Drake” to critical acclaim. The album featured Smart’s arrangements of Nick Drake’s music played by an all star line-up including John Parricelli, Paul Clarvis, Christine Tobin and Stan Sulzmann amongst others. It was described by Straight No Chaser magazine as “…a future classic because it really captures all that is best about British jazz….” and by John Fordham in Jazz UK as “…fascinating music devoted to a fascinating inspiration.” In December 2008 Nick released his trio album “Remembering Louis Armstrong” featuring Hans Koller and Paul Clarvis. The trio pay tribute to Louis Armstrong in their own creative way by exploring some of the iconic repertoire associated with him throughout his life. In their review of the album the Vortex Jazz Club said that they “strip the music down to its essentials creating intriguing, cogent improvisations in the process. An unusual, absorbing programme of music.” Nick has been increasingly sought after in jazz education. After successfully setting up school jazz projects for Bedfordshire and Camden, Nick was invited to create and direct the Royal Academy of Music Junior Jazz Course. Students of the course have since worked alongside many guests including Dave Liebman, Tim Garland, and the course Patron, Kenny Wheeler. Nick was soon appointed Jazz Co-ordinator and then Bmus Tutor at the Royal Academy. Amongst other roles there, he teaches the Jazz LRAM pedagogical diploma and directs the Big Band. Under Nick’s direction recent Big Band projects have included performances with Peter Erskine, John Taylor, Stan Sulzmann and Kenny Wheeler. Nick is also currently on the faculty at the Guildhall School of Music and Middlesex University, as well as a regular tutor on various Jazz summer schools including Glamorgan, Wavendon, Burnley and Trinity. As a consultant to new jazz projects Nick has been involved with the creation of the National Youth Jazz Collective, is on the team of presenters for the Associated Board, helped the Corps of Army Music set up their Big Band and has given numerous master classes and workshops around the country.

Sunday 13 December - HJC xmas party

featuring Sue Rivers, Nick Beston, Ernie Cranenburg, Dave Barnes, Pete Ringrose, Buster Birch

A highly entertaining way to round off the year with some great jazz standards followed by our very own, now legendary, sing-a-long-a jazz christmas carol service. Hymn sheets will be provided and the proceedings will be kept in order by Buster Birch and his referee whistle! Plus a free mince pie!

Sunday 10 January - The Jo Fooks Quintet

Back by popular demand, this rising young star of the UK jazz scene is going from strength to strength. Her band features some of the UKs finest jazz musicians and her second album continues to sell well, having now sold out of her debut album. She has also recently been hired by Jools Holland to play in his band.

Jo Fooks, born in Edinburgh, began learning the saxophone at 15. In 1992 she won 'The Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year'. Inspired and encouraged by local Edinburgh musicians, Jo went on to study saxophone at the Guildhall School of music in London(1995-99). She also studied at the Berklee School of music in Boston after receiving a full fee scholarship for the summer jazz programme.

After recording her debut album "Here and Now!", the legendary British trumperter Humphrey Lyttelton invited her to join his eight-piece band. With whom she toured and performed in some of the most amazing theatres and venues in Britain. Humph's fun filled and melodic approach to music was to be a hugue influence and through performing in his band Jo also recorded and worked with Acker Bilk and played alongside Tina May, Joe Temperley, Scott Hamilton, Elkie Brooks,and many others.

Jo's other influences include Illinois Jacquet, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gorden, Cannonball Addderley and Bill Evans. Her mellow tone is often compared to Stan Getz and Zoot Sims.

please see www.jofooks.com for further info.

Sunday 14 February - The Branco Stoysin Trio

A guitar trio that brings the Sun to the people...The trio will be blending acclaimed originals and arrangements of enthralling traditional music from former Yugoslavia. What better to describe Branco Stoysin Trio and their music than these two quotes:

"A musical journey to warm the soul." Sarah Ward - Jazz FM Not to be missed!

"Full of quiet beauty the 6th new album Inexhaustible and 12th anniversary of the label continues the customarily high technical standards we have come to expect from Sun Recordings’ Branco Stoysin and his regular trio. This is the sound of a master craftsman at work. Stoysin’s playing is as crystalline and beautifully articulated as ever, sympathetically supported by Booth’s liquid bass and Birch’s delightfully detailed percussion. Delicate filigree, subtle, clean, immaculate, imaginative, optimistic, warm and relaxing original music. This album is further evidence of guitarist’s abilities in an understated display of quiet virtuosity." Ian Mann - thejazzmann.com

Please visit www.brancostoysin.co.uk for more information.

Sunday 14 March - NBQ

Please visit www.myspace.com/nickbeston for more information.

Sunday 11 April - Heads South

New on the scene Jazz Salsa group Heads South are delighting their fast growing
audiences. Their music combines great rhythm and great melody in a superb repertoire
of original compositions and arrangements of well loved tunes. This is premium quality
Latin Jazz that appeals both to the keen concert hall listener and the dancefloor mover.
The Band’s 5 piece line-up is led by pianist composer John Harriman and features the
outstanding Jazz Trumpeter Steve Waterman, Cuban Percussionist Chino Martell
Morgan, the versatile Buster Birch on drums and New Zealander Tim Robertson on bass
guitar. This is a new line-up of musicians drawn to the sounds of diverse cultures and
“Las Tierras Latinas”. Their music is fresh, encompassing memorable new tunes such
as El Cardenal, Juntito and Sweet Swan to new arrangements of classics such as Besame Mucho and Mack The Knife. Think Buena Vista Social Club, add the excitement of Jazz, great new melody, the warmth of a Latin evening, grooving away into the night...

Please visit www.headssouth.com for more information.

in Kent not Essex!