Doors 7:30 PM, Music 8:00 PM – 1 set of music
Line-up:
Felix Burling, Fee Buckton, Olivia Cuttil, Dan Coulthurst, Ernie Moore – Trumpets
Pete New, Benji Arnold, Aidan Ruffle – Trombones
Adam Chard – Bass Trombone
Saul Duff, Flo Taylor – Alto Saxophone
Sophie Speed, Harvey Parkin-Christie – Tenor Saxophone
Bess Shooter – Baritone Saxophone
Alex Fisher – Bass/Sopranino Saxophone
Sam Erhet-Pickett – Brass instrument & Percussion
Nico Widdowson, George MacDonald – Keys
Woody Hayden – Bass
Josh Ketch, Theo Goss – Drums
Richard Moulton – Percussion
Amy Clark – Vocals
Hamish Dixon, Jonathan Lodder – Noise
Fergus Quill – MD
About
Recipients of the 2023 Peter Whittingham Jazz Award , Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band make a rare appearance in the capital and their first appearance at The Vortex. Known for their raucous live shows and bombastic arrangements, don’t miss this opportunity to see one of the UK’s most exciting jazz ensembles live!
Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band’s 2025 tour celebrates the release of their 2nd album ‘Live At Lancaster Jazz Festival’. Released on Trash City Records on the 13th December 2024, a limited 12” LP which will be on sale before and after the show.
The band is an organic and fluid ensemble of young jazz musicians drawn from across the Leeds jazz scene. The band’s origins were as an informal five piece Sun Ra tribute project but quickly grew into a dynamic 25+ strong musical force with a reputation for energetic live performances and experimental arrangements. To pin the music down to one influence would be a task; a part of the sound owes itself to the works of Duke Ellington, Sun Ra Arkestra, and the Mingus Big Band, but the DIY Punk aesthetic and ethos of the band, along with a love of film composers such as Ennio Morricone is integral to the band sound also. Whilst it is not at all uncommon for mosh pits to break out during the bands noisy numbers, Fergus and the band also have a sensitive sound, with beautifully written ballad arrangements appearing regularly. Live composition is a big part of each performance and recording, with various hand signals and movements occurring at any moment that the band recognise and respond to. Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band offer an unmatched chance to watch a large group of the best musicians Leeds has to offer, performing original improvised music.
“Fantastic musicianship and soloing meet theatrical drama and punk attitude” – Ally J Steel, Jazz Revelations
“Riotous Leeds Ensemble…expansive, high-energy sets that are never the same twice.” – Kevin Le Gendre, BBC Radio 3