Julian Joseph Trio & Polly Gibbons Quartet - Brit Jazz Fest 09

Friday 28th November - Saturday 29th November
£10.00 - £36.00

Information on Julian Joseph Trio & Polly Gibbons Quartet - Brit Jazz Fest 09

Kicking off our Brit Jazz Fortnight, we present ... JULIAN JOSEPH TRIO & POLLY GIBBONS QUARTET

Virtuoso pianist, bandleader, composer, arranger and broadcaster, Julian Joseph has been a leading figure on the international jazz scene for over two decades. Acclaimed by critics and audiences the world over, he never fails to inspire with his mastery of the keyboard, the versatility of his musicianship, and the seemingly limitless scope of his creative imagination. Julian's musical ideas reflect the eclectic influence of all forms of music in the history of jazz: from classical to rock and pop, everything is relevant. A feature of a Julian Joseph concert is the wide-ranging repertoire of original compositions and arrangements upon which he draws. Challenging and innovative, they are deeply rooted in the jazz tradition and, as with all great jazz music, combine his own unique voice with those of his predecessors. Julian is completely at home on any stage and in front of any band, whether performing solo, or leading his own trio, quartet, electric band or big band, or with full symphony orchestra. His passion for the music is always palpable, and his desire to communicate that passion compelling.

Polly Gibbons Quartet

One of the most talked about young performers in the UK, Polly Gibbons first appearance at Ronnie Scott’s prompted the Evening Standard to declare: "Polly Gibbons' melismatic, gospel-fired tribute to Ray Charles was remarkable." Reminiscent in vocal style of many famous jazz players (Ray Charles, Dinah Washington, early Aretha), and a regular collaborator with the James Pearson Trio, Polly is establishing herself as real musical force to be reckoned with. Polly’s stunning performances are not to be missed.

JULIAN JOSEPH BIO:

Virtuoso pianist, bandleader, composer, arranger and broadcaster, Julian Joseph has been a leading figure on the international jazz scene for over two decades. Acclaimed by critics and audiences the world over, he never fails to inspire with his mastery of the keyboard, the versatility of his musicianship, and the seemingly limitless scope of his creative imagination.

Julian's musical ideas reflect the eclectic influence of all forms of music in the history of jazz: from classical to rock and pop, everything is relevant. A feature of a Julian Joseph concert is the wide-ranging repertoire of original
compositions and arrangements upon which he draws. Challenging and innovative, they are deeply rooted in the jazz tradition and, as with all great jazz music, combine his own unique voice with those of his predecessors.
Julian is completely at home on any stage and in front of any band, whether performing solo, or leading his own trio, quartet, electric band or big band, or with full symphony orchestra. His passion for the music is always
palpable, and his desire to communicate that passion compelling. As well as four albums and a mass of original material for small band, Julian has written a number of large-scale works for big band and symphony
orchestra, including 'The Great Sage' for big band and strings premiered at the 2002 London Jazz Festival, 'Mountain of Hope', 'The Reverend: Back Home to Glory', 'A Ballade of Love', 'Guardian Angel', and an arrangement of Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue' for big band, premiered at the 2003 City of London Festival. Two movements of a 5-movement suite for orchestra, 'Symphonic Story: The Great Exception', have been performed by the Halle and BBC Concert orchestras. In 2007 Julian premiered and toured his new jazz opera, 'Bridgetower: A Fable of 1807' - the story of young black violin prodigy George Bridgetower in London at the turn of the 19th century.

Mark is one of the most in-demand double bass players on the European scene. He has played and recorded with, among others, Randy Brecker, Eddie Henderson, Guy Barker, Sonny Fortune, Pete King, Tommy Smith,
Scott Hamilton, Andy Sheppard, Cedar Walton, Django Bates, Joey Calderazzo, Stan Tracey, Gary Husband, Mark Taylor, Des'ree, Mica Paris, Georgie Fame, Ian Shaw, Clare Martin and Jamie Cullum. He first joined Julian's Big Band in 1996, and can also be seen in Tim Garland's Underground Orchestra, the London Jazz Orchestra and the BBC Big Band.

From 1998 to 2003 he was a member of Bill Bruford's 'Earthworks', recording four CDs and a live DVD, making tours of Europe, Asia, Africa and the USA. Mark has performed at some of the world's most prestigious clubs and festivals, including venues such as Birdland and The Knitting Factory in New York, Washington D.C.'s Blues Alley, Yoshi's, Catalina's and The House of Blues in California, Sweet Basil's and the Blue Note in Japan, the Teatro Opera in Buenos Aires as well as Ronnie Scott's, Barbican Centre and Royal Festival Hall.

Mark Mondesir is undoubtedly one of the finest drummers the UK has ever produced, and has gained the respect and admiration of musicians the world over. A unique talent, he combines technical velocity, complexity and
dexterity with an awesome inventiveness and imaginative dynamism, all grounded in an instinctive feel for groove. He has known and worked with Julian for over twenty years, and has made an inspiring and essential
contribution to all his projects, bringing a musical integrity and diversity that is, quite simply, humbling. He is comfortable in any genre, from jazz to rock to funk to fusion and has collaborated with a range of international artists, including John McLaughlin, Joe Zawinul, Steve Gadd, John Scofield, Jeff Beck, Kevin Eubanks and Brian Ferry, as well as British musicians Courtney Pine, Andy Sheppard, Tony Remy, Dennis Rollins, Cleveland Watkiss, and his brother, Mike. Mark is also a distinctive voice in jazz composition, influenced by the seminal names in jazz fusion ~ Herbie Hancock, Jaco Pastorius, John Serry, Jan Hammer and Alphonso Johnson.