The Tower Jazz Club

WORLD JAZZ LIVE SESSIONS AT THE TOWER – Hosted by Maiuko

Much acclaimed jazz drummer Clark Tracey has been leading his own bands since 1981 and currently leads an ever evolving quintet as well as tribute bands to his father, the late Stan Tracey. His latest quintet features a few of the most exciting young musicians today.  They recently recorded their first CD, which is due for release in the new year.  The unusual inclusion of a vocalist in Clark’s quintet, next to a horn player, offers another soundscape to work with.  An exceptional vocalese artist, Emily Masser adds rhythm and words from the heart of BeBop, as well as beautiful lyrics.

Alex Clarke on alto and tenor saxophones is aged 23 and won the Rising Star in the British Jazz Awards 2 years ago and was runner up in the BBC Young Jazz Musician last year. She has successfully released her debut CD “Only A Year” with Dave Newton, Dave Green and Clark.

Emily Masser is an astonishing vocalist, still 19 years of age and attending the Guildhall School of Music. Her vocalese has already introduced her to hardened jazzers, including Claire Martin and Liane Carroll, who have both endorsed her and invited her to sit in with them. Daughter of saxophonist Dean Masser, her years belie her enormous talent, which began at Chetham’s School of Music.

Graham Harvey on piano is one of our most experienced pianists, studied at Berkley College in Boston, was the Musical Director of Incognito, is currently Stacey Kent’s pianist and is much sought after as a freelancer playing with major stars including Dave O’Higgins, Alan Barnes and Mark Nightingale.

James Owston on double bass is 27, a graduate of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and again a runner up in the BBC Young Jazz Musician Finals a few years ago. Having worked in Clark’s groups since 2013, in our opinion, he is the most technically gifted upright bassist in this country and is now working with a variety of musicians.

CLARK TRACEY – drums
JAMES OWSTON – double bass
GRAHAM HARVEY – piano
ALEX CLARKE – alto/tenor sax
EMILY MASSER – vocals

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094278581687
www.clarktracey.com

Support Act DIANE DUNN

Diane Dunn is a singer songwriter from Folkestone.  Her live performances across the Southeast and Europe, are renowned for their energy and emotion, Diane has become a popular figure in the local music scene. Her dynamic voice, combined with her skilled guitar playing, have created a unique and captivating sound that has earned her a growing fanbase.

Diane Dunn music draws inspiration from a wide range of genres, including Folk, Blues, Jazz, and Rock, and is characterized by its powerful, soulful delivery and personal lyrics.
Diane has released several EPs, with her music being well received by critics and fans alike, receiving recognition for her song writing and vocal skills.

Tickets £15 | Doors from 6.30pm
Unreserved seating
A PortCaia Production in association with The Tower Theatre

WORLD JAZZ LIVE SESSIONS AT THE TOWER – Hosted by Maiuko

Debut Album Launch ‘Trails and Traces’

Coming off the back of powerful performances at Love Supreme Festival, Pizza Express and The 606 to name a few; this quartet creates a gripping and intense experience that rips up the rule books and speaks from a combined beating heart.

NYE BANFIELD
Hailing from rural Leicestershire with Welsh roots, Nye is a profoundly creative saxophonist and composer bringing a fresh perspective to South East London. Through his music, Nye paints visceral scenes from his life and the people around him. A graduate of Trinity Laban, Nye combines influences from jazz icons Wayne Shorter, Ambrose Akinmusire, and mentor Mark Lockheart, as well as wider sources of inspiration from the pastoral works of Vaughan Williams to song writing of Damon Albarn.

Described by Headfirst Bristol as “a smart and original composer who knows both the roots of modern jazz and where he intends to take his own music”, Nye takes you on a vivid journey of richly textured composition and lyrical improvisation. Nye’s tenor sound, a focus of his over the last 10 years, is earthy, broad and incredibly expressive, providing a focal point to the band’s combined timbre.

THE BAND
For this performance, Nye will be at the helm of an impressively exciting quartet. Featuring a trio of ‘Moores’, the rhythm section holds all the tools to set the stage alight. Brothers Ewan and Robbie, on drums and piano lead their own project ‘Bigheadmode’, and play with a synchronicity that can only be achieved through shared genetics. Hamish Nockles-Moore completes the quartet, providing raw creativity and a barrage of energy from bass.

The quartet has toured the country receiving high praise from listeners, receiving quotes such as:

“My heart needed your music last night.. it was by far one of my favourite jazz club encounters to date”. 
“The Nye Banfield sextet blew up a storm at Pizza Express.”

THE ALBUM  – ‘Trails and Traces’ 
Dropping on vinyl in January 2024, this will be Nye’s debut LP. Featuring ‘Banger Factory’ leader Mark Kavuma on trumpet, the performances from the sextet are richly diverse in influences. An infusion of flavours from 60s Blue Note records, 90s Radiohead, 20th century classical music and contemporary New York Jazz combine to create an intensely gripping sound.

The musicians on the record breathe life into every corner of Nye’s compositions. The rhythm section features virtuosos Rupert Cox on piano, Hamish Nockles-Moore on double bass and Ewan Moore on drums. They have the dexterity to deliver subtlety and a sensitivity of space for the nostalgia of tracks ‘Four Years Later’ and ’E11’, whilst also having the grit to bring an onslaught of energy to ‘Bellarom Gold’ and ‘Rockhopper’. Mark Kavuma brings a touch of class to the palette, offering a few hard-bop style solos, a cool shift from the undeniably modernness of the group. The sextet is complemented by young talent Wilf Diamond on trombone who brings a warm soulfulness to the mix.

Away from the music, the product itself has been given a lot of thought and care. The sessions were engineered and mixed by twice Mercury Prize nominated Sonny Johns (Dinosaur, Portico Quartet), and subsequently mastered by World Circuit legend Tom Leader (Buena Vista Social Club, Kate Bush). The record was then cut at Abbey Road Studios and pressed by Optimal Media in Germany, altogether producing a record with real, tangible quality.

The cover features a piece by Sonia Stanyard. Green silk-screened paper is torn, spliced and reconfigured to explore how limitation can create freedom. Nye relates to her process, using form and structure combined with spontaneity to create expressive art.

Nye Banfield – tenor sax
Robbie Moore – piano
Hamish Nockles Moore –  double bass
Ewan Moore – drums

https://www.nyebanfield.co.uk/

Tickets £15 | Doors from 6.30pm
Unreserved seating
A PortCaia Production in association with The Tower Theatre

WORLD JAZZ LIVE SESSIONS AT THE TOWER – Hosted by Maiuko

“There is no denying that Hoffman has a very special voice: rich, super smooth and full of old time sparkle… It is a joy to listen to her sing.” – Broadway Baby

Originally from Boston, MA, USA, Kai Hoffman is a jazz, swing and blues singer, as well as a songwriter, bandleader and recording artist.  Based in the United Kingdom, Kai’s international shows have included Don’t Tell Mama and the Metropolitan Room in New York City, The Blue Note in Milan and the European Jazz Expo, with further performances in countries as varied as Bangladesh, the Netherlands and Russia.

In London, Kai is a favourite performer across the city, including an eight-year residency at Europe’s oldest jazz venue, Ronnie Scott’s, shows at the Elgar Room of the Royal Albert Hall, the London Jazz Festival, City of London Festival, Southbank Centre, 606 Club, the Hideaway Jazz Club and more.

Kai Hoffman – Vocals

Roger Lewin – Piano

Alex Keen – Double Bass

Simon Lea – Drums

Tickets £15 | Doors from 6.30pm
Unreserved seating
A PortCaia Production in association with The Tower Theatre

WORLD JAZZ LIVE SESSIONS AT THE TOWER – Hosted by Maiuko

Led by bassist and composer Alison Rayner, multi award-winning quintet ARQ are widely celebrated from several years of extensive UK and European touring – and critically acclaimed for their three album releases August (2014) , A Magic Life (2016) and Short Stories (2019).

Their music combines richly nuanced compositions, rhythmic interplay and folk-infused melodies; this, along with their love of improvisation, creates a strong sense of narrative and cinematic quality. ARQ play ‘songs without words’ and are lauded for their vibrant, communicative performances.

Short Stories, their most recent album, supported by Arts Council England and the PRS Foundation, garnered extensive press acclaim and international radio play; its release was followed by a twenty four date UK promotional tour and a coveted Ivor Novello Composer Award for ‘There is a Crack in Everything’ from the album.

ARQ’s recent appearances include London’s Ronnie Scott’s and Pizza Express Jazz Clubs, Poole Lighthouse, Gateshead Sage and Liverpool Capstone Theatre; recent jazz festivals include EFG London, Birmingham, Swanage and Ribble Valley. The band are currently previewing new material in their performances and will be recording a new album early next year.

Alison Rayner – bass
Buster Birch – drums
Deirdre Cartwright – guitar
Diane McLoughlin – saxophone
Steve Lodder – piano

ALBUM REVIEWS
• A collection of eight perfectly formed originals. ★★★★ BBC Music Magazine
• Memories brought to life. ★★★★ The Observer
• Tells its tales through strong melodies, sinewy rhythms and luminous solos, is by turns tender and exuberant. ★★★★ All About Jazz

AWARDS
★ Ivor Novello Composer Awards 2019 Alison Rayner
★ All Party Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2018 Ensemble of the Year
★ British Jazz Awards 2018 Best Small Group (Public Vote)

http://www.alisonrayner.com/
https://youtu.be/EUDFR_ThX-

Hosted by Maiuko.

Tickets £15
Doors from 6.30pm | Unreserved seating
A PortCaia Production in association with The Tower Theatre

WORLD JAZZ LIVE SESSIONS AT THE TOWER – Hosted by Maiuko

Following a SOLD-OUT outstanding performance in 2022, we are excited that Noel McCalla is returning to the Tower Jazz Room!

Noel McCalla will mesmerize you with his smooth/deep groove performance, comprising succulent and seductive original songs, mixed within a selection of recognizable tunes from Bill Withers to Al Jarreau.

The ability in his soulful jazzy bluesy voice to make every note matter is what makes Noel special, and what keeps him as one of UK’s treasured vocalists.

Noel McCalla – Vocals
Tim Cansfield – Guitar
Henry Thomas – Bass
Nic France – Drums

“You have to see McCalla perform live to appreciate how good a singer he is. Despite lock-downs and restricted live performances it’s not hard to imagine audiences wanting more once having witnessed this consummate professional on stage”. 
Trevor Moss @ Cool on the Edge, Academy-FM, March 31st-2022

Tickets £15 | Doors from 6.30pm
Unreserved seating
A PortCaia Production in association with The Tower Theatre