Aberdeen Jazz Festival 2010

[Jazzaberdeen]

The Aberdeen Jazz Festival 2010

All concerts take place at the Blue Lamp.

Tickets are available from 01224 619770 / Untitled Document

Eric Alexander & Dave OHiggins Quintet

Two tenor saxophonists who epitomise passionate, often very fast, grooving and hard hitting jazz. Rooted in the soul/blues jazz and bop end of the jazz tradition, there's no stronger pillar of the hard blowing establishment than Alexander. A giant of New York tenor saxophonists, and here he is in a new two tenor band with the fleet-fingered Londoner, O'Higgins and a top rhythm team of Andrew McCormack (piano), Arnie Somogyi (bass) and Kristian Leth (drums).

Wednesday 10 March, 810pm. Tickets: 12.50 (conc 10.50)

Jacob Karlzon Trio

One of the leading jazz pianists in Europe, Karlzon has an extraordinary touch. He can hit the most sensitive of emotional chords, communicating directly with audience's hearts, and he can also play thrilling, uptempo grooves, packed with bright melodies. His Trio with Hans Andersson (bass) and Rasmus Kihlberg (drums) covers all the bases wonderfully turned simple folkloric ballads, blues grooves, swinging jazz..if you like Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans or EST, you'll be thrilled by Karlzon's band.

Thursday 11th March 810pm. Tickets: 10 (conc 8)

Graeme Stephen Sextet

Graeme's star continues to rise, with wider critical acclaim, high profile tours, and new recordings. Once a mainstay on the Aberdeen jazz scene, he's now a major force in UK Jazz. The guitarist's Sextet is his flagship group. "A beacon of original, ambitious and brilliantly realised music (The Herald) beautiful melodies, rhythms full of surprises, evocative soundscapes, folk musics, jazz blowing - with a band packed with exciting musicians: Phil Bancroft (saxes), Fraser Fifield (saxes, whistles), Ben Davis (cello), Euan Burton (bass) and Stu Ritchie (drums).

Friday 12 March March 810pm. Tickets: 10 (conc 8)

El Salson

The Blue Lamp moves to Havana for this late night session as El Salsons infectious salsa rhythms fill the dancefloor. Fronted by Salsa Celtica's great Venezuelan singer, Lino Rocha and featuring Cuban timbale maestro, Eric Alfonso, the band is packed with seasoned top class salsa and latin jazz musicians: Dougie Hudson (congas/percussion), Simon Gall (piano), Pete Coutts (tres), Mike Rae (bass), Scott Annison (trombone), Euan Allardice (trumpet).

Friday 12 March, 10.30pm00.30am. Tickets: 10 (conc 8)

Alan Barnes & Ken Mathieson Classic Jazz Orchestra

Playing the music of Benny Carter. Ken Mathieson's octet features the cream of Scottish classic jazz talent, joined tonight by the effervescent clarinettist and alto saxophonist Alan Barnes playing Carters role. A rare chance to hear music by one of the great giants of swing to bop. "Terrific music, imaginative arrangements and strong playing with great panache (The Herald).

Saturday 13 March, 7.309.30pm. Tickets: 12.50 (conc 10.50)

Garry Gibb Quartet featuring Anders Bergcrantz

Garry blows hot swinging modern jazz in the Rollins, Coltrane, Joe Henderson mode, and deserves his status as the North East's leading resident jazz musician. Here he is in illustrious company, with one of the leading jazz trumpeters in the world. Bergcrantz is a phenomenal musician. He's got all the fire of Freddie Hubbard, the subtlety of Miles Davis, and a truly distinctive personal voice. He astonishes with his extraordinary technical capacity, but never lets it get in the way of the music. Tonight: hot, hard grooving blues and bop.

Saturday 13 March, 10.30pm00.30am. Tickets: 10 (conc 8)

Mercy, Mercy, Mercy

A brand new "supergroup" (Herald) fronted by trumpeter, Colin Steele and alto saxophonist, Martin Kershaw, playing the music of Cannonball and Nat Adderley. Steve Hamilton (piano), Brian Shiels (bass) and Alyn Cosker (drums) are the rhythm team. This is soulful, funky, swinging jazz that makes everyone feel good audiences and musicians. Some would say it's the essence of Blue Note Jazz. Hot, steaming rhythm section, passionate solos, catchy tunes. Destined to be one of the major new groups of 2010.

Sunday 14 March, 810pm. Tickets: 10 (conc 8)

And coming soon to The Blue Lamp

Clare Teal

The exquisite singer, Clare Teal, is touring Scotland this spring with a brand new show. Featuring material just recorded, plus selections from her impressive back catalogue a glorious mix of standards, classics and originals from the albums spanning her highly successful career. The multi-award winning singer-songwriter, Radio 2 presenter and columnist brings her unique blend of humour and great music to the stage accompanied by the dynamic, young Australian composer, conductor and pianist Grant Windsor. This show certainly swings and is not one to be missed. Wonderful. Worth raving about (Sir Michael Parkinson).

Thursday 22 April, 810pm Tickets: 12 (conc 10)

Presented in association with Jazz International