Ambulance (26th+27th feb)

Monday 4th February - Wednesday 6th February
£20.00 - £36.00

Information on Ambulance (26th+27th feb)

Described as 'five of the UK's most exciting young jazz musicians' Arnie Somogyi’s Ambulance features the innovative talents of saxophonists Paul Booth and Rob Townsend, pianist Tim Lapthorn, drummer Dave Smith.

Self-styled “specialists in musical accident and insurgency”, the band first created a stir at its launch in November 2004 at Ronnie Scott’s.

In 2006 the band was awarded the first-ever creative jazz residency at the prestigious Snape Maltings venue and music centre in Aldeburgh, Suffolk. Joined during the two-week residency by the band’s fifth member - sax player and laptop sound artist Rob Townsend - and inspired by beautiful Suffolk coastlines, fresh fish and Adnams beer, they created a whole new repertoire of original, inventive material - from samples of Aldeburgh’s infamous Scallop Sculpture on the shingle beach, to the living legend of Captain Courageous.

The subsequent CD, ‘Accident and Insurgency’, was released on Linn Records in January 2008, and supported by another UK tour, again as a sextet with Eddie Henderson, which included Southport Festival and a headline slot at Ronnie Scott’s.
The tour and CD attracted significant critical acclaim, including 4 **** reviews in The Guardian, The Times, BBC Music Magazine, Jazzwise and The Scotsman; and was featured Gig of the Week and Critic's Choice in Time Out. The band was also cover feature in Jazz UK and Jazzwise magazines.

Recent news:
Ambulance nominated as Jazz Ensemble of the Year for the
2008 Parliamentary Jazz Awards

‘Accident and Insurgency’ nominated CD of The Year at the
2008 BBC Jazz Awards


‘Over two intense sets, the six musicians make an overwhelming case for jazz that is visceral, intellectual and disciplined, while wowing an audience of musicians, fans, hacks and punters.’
**** The Guardian. Live review @ Ronnie Scott’s

“When Somogyi launched Ambulance he threatened the band would produce ‘accident and insurgency’, and coupled with Henderson, the sparky catalyst of many a world-class group from Herbie Hancock to the Mingus Band, he delivered in style.”
**** The Times

‘Arnie Somogyi leads his cheekily named band that mix snapping grooves, archly syncopated arrangements and top-drawer improvising, all as superb new album 'Accident And Insurgency’ … killer band’.
Gigs of the Week, Time Out