Recent Gigs
We soon hope to bring you reviews, recordings and even videos of recent past gigs, but in the meanwhile, at the request of one of our loyal members (you know who you are!) here is a list of our recent offerings, with a run down of the talent that have given a feast of music. If you were there with us, and have some thoughts to share, why not post them on our FaceBook page. And if you didn't make it then, why don't you come and join us next time?
Asaf Sirkis Trio
Thursday 24th February 2011 at the Atrium
A record crowd for a monthly gig at the Atrium went home happy, having had the pleasure of hearing some very fine musicians: Asaf Sirkis on drums, Tassos Spiliotopoulos on guitar and Yaron Stavi on bass. Our Club Chairman, Clive Greenwood, obviously in lyrical mood, commented:
"Asaf played notes on those drums, he was musical, and then dynamic. He played tunes - then was rhythmic, building the beat to a frenzy, then cooling down to a reflective, contemplating gentleness, before taking us all into a head nodding, toe tapping pleasure void."
'Nuff said.
Steve Berry Quartet
Thursday 27th January 2011 at the Atrium
We regularly see Steve Berry and friends providing a classy rhythm section at RVJB gigs, so it was great to have Steve in charge to start the New Year in style. Apart from Steve himself, on bass, we had Dave Walsh (drums), Les Chisnall (piano) and Mike Outram on guitar standing in for Mike Walker, who was was prevented from taking part because of an injury. Here's what our very own Paul Ellis had to say about the proceedings:
"Elegant, challenging, uplifting. Listening to the complex arrangements paid dividends, interspersed as they were with Steve's amusingly parodoxical stories and quips. It was refreshing to see Steve - given his formidable jazz pedigree - fronting a band for a change, harking back to those seminal "Loose Tubes" days. Well done to all and let's have some more please! A good start to the New Year? You bet!"
Leeds College Big Band
Sunday 12th December 2010 at The Grand
Leeds College of Music's award-winning big band is considered as one of UK's finest and they came to Clitheroe to give a special festive big band concert under the baton of their new Musical Director, Neil Yates.
Dave Mott's Jazz Classics
Thursday 18th November 2010 at the Atrium
Wide ranging Jazz from the 1920s-60s incorporating the classic swing era. Lineup: Dave Mott (alto, baritone, soprano saxes and clarinet), Sue Mott (vocals), B Edwards (trumpet), T Brunt (trombone), T Kincaid (piano), R Vernon (bass) and J Scaif ( drums).
Stuart Riley Octet
Thursday 21st October 2010 at the Atrium
"We booked an octet and only 8 musicians turned up!" Classic sounds from the well-known Stockport band playing arrangements by Stuart Riley himself. Line-up: Martin Smith (trumpet), Jim Collins (alto sax), Mike Hall (tenor sax), Jim Fieldhouse (baritone sax), Paul Burton (trombone), Andzrej Baranek (piano) and Stuart Riley (double bass).
Ben Allen Quintet
Thursday 16th September at the Atrium
Post Be-Bop extravaganza from Ben’s free-flowing alto sax, featuring jazz classics from the likes of: Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis and John Coltrane. YOUTH JAZZ WITH SPIRIT!
Wigan Youth Big Band
Sunday 12th September 2010 at The Grand
The nationally-recognised Wigan Jazz Club presented its talented Youth Jazz Orchestra under the baton of Dr Ian Darrington MBE.
Steve Childs Quintet
Thursday 15th July 2010 at the Atrium
Exciting modern Jazz at its best. Eclectic programme drawing upon musical in uences from John Coltrane and Freddy Hubbard to Joe Henderson. Lineup: Steve Barker (keyboard), Dave Tyas (drums), Gary Boyle (guitar), Brian Jackson (double bass) and Steve Childs (saxes+fl ute).
Trashcan Collective
Thursday 17th June at the Atrium
What can you say about this band? Well here is what our very own Paul Ellis was moved to write after the gig:
"Pure mid-summer musical bliss.... Trashcan Collective responded to the russet tones of the setting sun, with golden pearls of their own! Playing all the tunes from the debut cd of the same title, we were treated to 90 minutes of professional delight from five young Northern musicians, who focused years of obvious hard work, yet presented the result with effortless verve and bonhomie.
Brian Acton's relaxed vocals evoked the charm and finesse of a bye-gone era; his Belfast tinged ballads very much a homage to Chet Baker. Out of the thirteen tracks performed, nine were written by Bruce Reid, the double bass leader, very ably supported by the expressive drum work of Jonathan Hartley; Brian Acton's somewhat understated guitar, and Nick Fletcher's melodious – without being in any way ornamental – keyboard (his lengthy extemporisation on “Blue Beef”, in the second set, was noteworthy. However the honours were equally shared and Dan Berry – who has developed into a very self-assured tenor sax man – excelled on the humorous “Haircut for Mutley” as well as the blues influenced ballad, “ Softly as in a Morning” where he dueted fluently with the thoughtful vocals of Brian. Even more so was this apparent during the encore; the sensitively delivered Marc Almond song, “Love For Sale”, which has become a trademark vehicle for Brian Acton's brand of gentle, `summer breeze`, singing.
All in all though, one has to say, that this is a band who could seriously swing and who are a testiment to youth jazz, and to the compositional skills of Bruce Reid. This gig unlocked a little (rare) musical magic, and fortunate indeed were those there, who shared the experience under the impressive night-time surroundings of the old keep, overlooking Clitheroe."
