Elephant Talk
Jack Banjo Courtney – trumpet
Sam Knight – tenor saxophone
Joe Fenning – trombone
James Maltby – guitar
David Swan – keys Ollie Copeland – bass
Boz Martin-Jones – drums
Elephant Talk draws on the compositions of guitarist James Maltby, blending the harmonic richness of jazz with folk-inflected melodies and intricate grooves. Formed at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Elephant Talk is a seven-piece band that focuses on the compositions of guitarist, James Maltby. The group’s sound reflects the eclectic influences of its members, encompassing jazz, folk and progressive rock.
‘Elephant Talk presents the perfect combination of crafted group arrangement wedded to outstanding solo abilities. Everything they play is co-equally considered and inspired, moving graciously and effortlessly from the tender to the intensely passionate. Any set by this band presents unalloyed beauty from start to finish and will bring a smile to the face of anyone who enjoys jazz of this or any age.’ – Digby Fairweather
https://www.jamesmaltbymusic.com/elephant-talk/
Wilbur Whitta Trio Plus
Wilbur Whitta – Piano
Will Sach – Bass
Luke Tomlinson – Drums
Alex Ridout – Trumpet
The Wilbur Whitta trio is a contemporary, exploratory jazz ensemble. Led by award winning Australian pianist and composer Wilbur Whitta, this will be the first outing by the band in the UK. The characteristic writing is dense yet subtle, and features long-form compositions with intricate structures. Expect sophisticated harmony intertwined with captivating grooves. The band takes influence from various sources such as Australian jazz icon Mike Nock, current jazz artists such as Ambrose Akmusire, Gerald Calyton and Kneebody, as well as Bill Evans and the Miles Davis Quintet, and contemporary classical composers Elliot Carter and Sofia Gubaidulina. For this occasion, the trio will be augmented by BBC Young Jazz Musician winner Alex Ridout on trumpet.
“Wilbur Whitta is an exceptionally talented young pianist/composer who I expect will make a substantial contribution to Australian music in the years to come.” – Mike Nock
Will Cleasby Band
Will Cleasby – Drums
Sam Invgorsen – Double Bass
Tom Morley – Piano
Nye Banfield – Tenor Saxophone
New original music from this newly formed quartet which is inspired by all forms of Jazz, past and present.
The Will Cleasby Quartet is a newly formed band, which brings together students spanning all years from Year 1 to Postgraduate level at Trinity Laban. Playing original music which includes dark, complex harmonies, melody driven tunes and riff based writing, the band aims to bring a loose and innovative sound to the quartet setting. The writing encourages the band to move away from the traditional jazz idiom and discover new textures, sound worlds and force themselves to think outside the box. The band combines many different influences together, ranging from jazz legends such as Wayne Shorter and John Coltrane, to more contemporary musicians such as Ambrose Akinmusire and Robert Glasper. This will be the Will Cleasby Quartets debut outing and you can expect the unexpected!
‘Will Cleasby is a real find.’
‘Alert, creative and able to propel the whole band’
‘Some of the UK’s fiercest Young Jazz talent.’