Exclusive Rehearsal Footage 06/2007

Yo!

Here's a little behind the scenes vibe into our rehearsals last year. We were working towards our gig at the North Sea Jazz Festival, developing some groove ideas.

This clip is from Nathaniel's Palantir, particularly the Sax solo. We were trying out going from a heavy swing in 7 to a bouncy semi quaver feel and back again. Jay and Face are out of shot (probably for the best - jokes).

Also, we're all checking Eric Dolphy 'Out to lunch'....we have a gig tomorrow at the Con cellar Bar, Camden, playing this music. Come hear our tribute to this monumental album and support a great venue in London. www.myspace.com/jazztheconcellar

Gig Diary - IAJE Toronto 09/01

Well....as we had luckily been hooked up with a British Airways flight a little later than expected, it wasn't too early a start for us. Shaney had his usual hold up with his suspicious looking cymbals at customs and then we were on the plane (along with Badbone and co). It was an 8 hour flight to Toronto in which we all watched films and ate pretty bad plane food, then on arrival we went to straight to our hotel, where we went our seperate ways for the evening to check out the city nightlife.

Other people out there who we hung with included Gwlym Simcock, Tom Cawley, Denys Baptiste, Andrew McCormack, the guys from Air (bethan and co), Helen Mayhew and lots of other guys. After a small amount of jetlagged sleep we performed at the British Showcase hosted by Courtney Pine (after Nathaniel had played with the 'Let Freedom Ring' Project). The gig was well received (I think). We played Shaney Forbes' tune 'Kite' and then Jay Phelps' 'Tyrant's Tale'.

After the performance we celebrated in traditional style (except for Jay - or Yay to his Spanish admirers - who performed with Badbone and co)...A day off ensued in which Kit played with the CUK Big Band and more sightseeing and listening, and then our longer gig. We felt we could stretch out more at this lunchtime performance and felt more comfortable and therefore a little happier with the gig. We played the same set which we won the EBU Competition with - Tyrants Tale, Dark Lady, Palantir and Blessings. It was strange to play at a 'conference' rather than a festival, but an interesting experience none the less.

Our last gig was a small club gig at the 'Academy of Spherical Arts' which ended up as a jam session for listeners and performers at the festival. We enjoyed ourselves immensely and hope to return before long.

Listening material on the trip included Vijay Iyer's 'Panoptic Modes', Keith Jarrett's 'Facing You' and Eric Dolphy's 'Out to Lunch' for our gig at the Con Cellar Bar, 28th Jan, which comprises soley of tunes from that album.

Success in Wakefield

Gig Diary - Wakefield 18/01
Category: Music

To be honest we were late meeting our driver, Nick (legend), in Lewisham on the morning of the 18th. But we left around 12 for the long old drive up to Wakefield. The journey was cool - we were checking the Art Blakey 'Jazz Icons' DVD featuring Benny Golson and a 20yr old Lee Morgan, just ridiculous.

We arrived in perfect time (thanks Nick) just as promoter and quality guy Chris arrived, excited. After some reunions between Chris and Shane, Jay and Nat, we set up, slowly as always, did a quick sound check (thanks Brian).

Chris told us he was expected a crowd, but we were in for a pleasant shock as we took the stage. It was rammed! All ages as well! All the regular Wakefield Jazz supporters plus some students for Leeds College of Music, Simon came from Manchester (on the train) Dennis Rollins from Donny, it was a wicked atmosphere.

We opened with a new Kit Downes original - 'Export' (live track coming soon) - a ballad in the Nefertitti style. The audience was fantastic - silent yet attentive, supportive and engaging. We knew were in for a good gig.

By the end of the gig, our usual 'post mortem' was put on hold, as we tried to get round a speak to everyone who had come. Man, Wakefield Jazz has some cool people in it's audiences, everyone was so supportive and took the time to say thanks, buy a Cd, get our scrawls on it - it was wicked. Thanks Everyone!!

So we packed down, slowly as always, tried to convince Face to put his horn away (even more difficult now he has a bad ass new one). Jay was bragging about heading back for some home comforts in Doncaster, sipping on his Brandy and catching up with Mr Ellis of Doncaster Youth Jazz fame, whilst we loaded up the Van for the journey back.

Another fun gig was the verdict! A long way, but worth it. Theres a real buzz at the moment - we want to say thanks to all those people who are lending us there ears!

Check some photos....