The Vortex welcomes back this tremendously influential quartet
Chris Laurence, double bass
Martin France, drums
John Parricelli, guitar
Frank Ricotti, vibraphone
Bassist Chris Laurence has been a fixture on the British scene for many years, working regularly in the jazz sphere with artists including reedman John Surman, trumpeter Kenny Wheeler and pianist John Taylor. He’s recorded pop sessions with the likes of Elvis Costello, Sting and David Gilmour, and remains active in the classical community, playing on orchestral film soundtracks including The Constant Gardener and The Man in the Iron Mask.
FRANK RICOTTI was voted Melody Maker’s Top Vibraphone player back in his teens, since when he has remained constantly in demand for his work on records, film scores, jingles and TV shows and is the first choice percussionist for many artists, valued for his creative input. He has worked with many of this country’s favourite jazz musicians having performed at many clubs and festivals including the Montreux Jazz Festival, and over the years has played alongside Stan Tracey, John Taylor, Mike Gibbs, Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone, Gordon Beck, John Surman and Stan Sulzmann.
JOHN PARRICELLI began his professional guitar playing career in 1982, and has since worked in various areas of music. He was one of the founder members of Loose Tubes in the 80’s, touring and recording three albums. Since then he has pursued a varied career, working with Kenny Wheeler, Andy Sheppard, Iain Ballamy, Norma Winstone, Lee Konitz, Paul Motian, Julian Arguelles, Tim Whitehead, Eddie Parker, WDR Band with Peter Erskine and Vince Mendoza, Mark Lockheart, Martin Speake, Annie Whitehead and Gerard Presencer amongst others.
“The resourceful John Parricelli has the right mix of lightness, rhythm and lyricism”
THE TIMES
MARTIN FRANCE has played with many of the world’s finest musicians. He has performed in all five continents including concerts and tours in over forty countries worldwide. Martin began performing at the age of twelve backing singers in Working Men’s clubs with Organ trios in and around Manchester, and in 1983 he began his recording career performing on several records for ECM. A turning point in his early career was his role within the Eighties big band LOOSE TUBES where he began long standing partnerships with many of its members (such as Django Bates and Iain Ballamy) and beyond (such as Kenny Wheeler, Dave Holland and Stan Sulzmann)
