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.

Introducing EMPIRICAL to the Blogging World

Hello! We are all new to the blogging community, so here's a little bit about whats been going on in the past year. Check back for upcoming dates, projects, recordings, gig reports, some live tracks and of course let us know what you think!!!



"Empirical is the most exciting jazz band to come out of the UK."
Courtney Pine

"This is a fantastic debut that everyone needs to hear."
The Independent on Sunday

"Empirical could turn out to be one of the most important bands in UK jazz history. British album of the year!"
Jazzwise

Empirical is dedicated to maintaining the roots of traditional modern jazz but has a definite finger on the pulse of the contemporary world. Style-wise: think Ornette Coleman meets Wayne Shorter meets John Coltrane meets Ali Farka Toure meets Steve Coleman - performed with an abundance of youthful energy.

Recent Awards

EBU/European Jazz Competition
Peter Whittingham award in December 2007
Album of the year- Jazzwise 2007
Mojo Jazz album of the year

Members Biography

Jay Phelps-Trumpet:
Vancouver-born Canadian who was tutored by some of that city's top trumpeters, including Brad Turner and Ray Kirkham (second principal trumpet, VSO). At 17 Jay moved to London and is now completing a degree at Trinity College of Music with fellow band member Shane Forbes. Citing Louis Armstrong, Fats Navarro, Clifford Brown and Miles Davis as his main influences, Jay has performed with, Andrew Hill, Amy Winehouse, HughMasakela, Nasheet Waits, George Benson, Courtney Pine, Dennis Rollins, Gerrard Presencer.

Nathaniel Facey-Alto Sax:
Born in London to Jamaican parents, is influenced by Charlie Parker, Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman. With a degree from London's Royal Academy of Music, Nathaniel, who began his music studies at the age of 14, has distinguished himself as a creative composer and a lyrical performer and has been tipped as a musician to watch. Nathaniel has worked with Afrobeat star Dele Sosemi, gospel artist Ron Kenoli, Billy Jenkins, Steve Watts, Soweto Kinch, Jean Toussaint, Oren Marshall.

Kit Downes-Piano:
Initially a student at the Purcell School of Music (where he studied with Simon Colam for four years), Kit won a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music in 2005. Now living in London, Kit has performed with musicians Martin Speake, Gerard Prescensor, Seb Rochford, Joe Locke, Stan Sulzman, James Allsop, Eugene Skeef and Mike Outram. Kit has also performed with Fraud, Acoustic Ladyland, Nostalgia 77, 2000 Black, Silhouette Brown (in the London Jazz Festival ‘05) and Dennis Rollins’ Badbone and Co. Kit also co-leads ‘Troyka’.

Tom Farmer-Double Bass:
Began studying piano at an early age, moving on to electric bass at 16. He joined the Essex Youth Jazz Orchestra whilst completing A-level music and music technology, and furthered his bass studies under John Bower. Having been accepted to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Tom took up double bass, studying with Colin Paris (LSO) and Steve Watts. He was a member of NYJO for 18 months, and began playing extensively on the London jazz scene. Tom is currently a member of The Heritage Orchestra and Lazenby.

Shaney Forbes-Drums:
Who recently picked up one of three scholarship prizes for new jazz talent, sponsored by the UK's new jazz radio station, TheJazz, and Yamaha. With support from the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group, and Jazzwise magazine, the inaugural award aims to support and showcase the best of the UK's emerging jazz talent. Shane received his first percussion lesson at the age of 12. He and childhood friend Nathaniel Facey formed a band with pianist Arthur Lea which featured as support for the school band's events. Shane is currently completing his degree at Trinity College of Music alongside band-mate Jay Phelps. Shane has also performed with Jean Toussaint, Billy Jenkins, Claire Martin, Robert Mitchell, Andrea Pozza, Mike Carr, Soweto Kinch.