Jazz what we needed
SHEFFIELD Jazz begins a solid spring season of shows tomorrow in the knowledge that its future is looking as well as sounding brighter.
It comes after the organisation that hosts most of its shows at Ecclesall Road's Millennium Hall secured charitable status, meaning it now has a much better platform for developing its work through readier access to finance from individuals, companies and public bodies.
Newly elected chairman Dave Silver for one is delighted.
"Sheffield Jazz is already recognised as one of the UK's leading regional promoters of jazz, regularly bringing national and international artists to Sheffield with financial help from Jazz Yorkshire and the Performing Rights Society," he says.
"Charitable status now gives us the opportunity to raise additional funding and thereby organise more and better gigs; to work more with Sheffield Jazz Workshops to encourage and assist people to play jazz; and to broaden the audience for jazz by reaching new sections of the population."
Sheffield Jazz - and its predecessor Hurlfield Jazz - has been operating for more than 30 years and until 2008, when it became a company limited by guarantee, was a purely informal voluntary organisation.
It still relies on a small army of volunteers.
Beyond the business side Sheffield Jazz will continue in its aim to 'provide opportunities for people from all backgrounds in Sheffield and the surrounding region to hear some of the best and the newest jazz.'
It stages about 30 concerts a year, with plans to promote some at the Crucible Studio when it re-opens, featuring a wide variety of regional, national and international musicians from some of the best known names in the genre to many up-and-coming musicians.
Sheffield Jazz Workshops, which holds regular sessions mainly on Saturday mornings, attracts people from across Sheffield and other parts of Yorkshire to provide an opportunity for amateur musicians, music students, and up-and-coming professionals to learn and to improve their playing.
First up for 2010 is the Jim Mullen Organ Group, featuring Stan Sulzmann, tomorrow night.
Considered an original voice in contemporary jazz guitar, Mullen's distinctive 'thumb' attack on the strings gives him a unique style and sound, in a musical approach that encompasses not only a thorough knowledge of jazz, but a wellspring of experience which nods towards blues, soul, funk, rock and traditional Scottish music.
As well as his legendary association with Dick Morrissey in the band Morrissey Mullen, down the years Jim has worked with Gene Harris, Jimmy Smith, Jimmy Witherspoon and Percy Sledge, among others, as well as Teddy Edwards and Terry Collier.
With much-respected sax player Stan Sulzmann and organist Mike Gorman also in the quartet, this is a gig to savour.
The following Friday sees a visit from tenor sax star Simon Spillett Quartet whose album Sienna Red was voted record of the year in 2009 by Jazz Journal magazine. He arrives with bassist Arnie Somogyi in tow.
The Alyn Cosker Trio are the star attraction on January 29. Led by Alan's drums, also in the mix are Michael Janisch on bass, guitarist David Dunsmuir and tenor sax player Seamus Blake.
February 19 there's a return from Doncaster's Empirical, while a week later comes Pete Churchill Trio. For your money you get Pete Churchill on voice and piano, plus Dave Wickins (drums) and Steve Watts (bass).
Vocalist Anita Wardell's quartet is in town on March 26, Tom Cawley's Curios land on April 9 while the Mark Lockheart Group, led by the celebrated sax player, feature on April 16.
Arnie Somogyi's Ambulance brings a second visit from the bass player, this time with his own band, on May 7.
Seven days later Jonathan Bratoeff Quartet play and to close the season on May 21 it is Dog Soup, featuring Robbie Robson's trumpet, pianist John Turville, bassist Johnny Brierly and Tim Giles bolstering on drums.
To find out more about shows, season tickets, free informal playing sessions, to get involved with the running and administration of concerts or become a Friend of Sheffield Jazz, visit www.sheffieldjazz.org.uk or email info@sheffieldjazz.org.uk
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Weather for Sheffield
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -3 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -0 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
