Two groups featuring some of the brightest young musicians around.
DICE FACTORY
Tom Challenger (tenor saxophone)
Dan Nicholls (piano)
Tom Farmer (double bass)
Jon Scott (drums)
Dice Factory – the name taken from Luke Rhinehart’s classic novel “The Dice Man” – started life in 2009 as a series of exploratory sessions: playing music from their early influences – ranging from alt rock band Deerhoof to NYC pianist Vijay Iyer. Through this they developed their collective vision of challenging compositional frameworks being transcended by fiercely interactive group playing. This group of key young musicians are already giving shape to the creative direction of a new jazz generation with wider cultural
interests, as members of the Loop Collective, Outhouse, Empirical and Kairos 4Tet. Their eponymous debut album (Babel Label) was launched to great acclaim in 2012, and they are now beginning to make a name for themselves on the European scene.
“Powerful thematic development, clarity of ideas, precision playing, rhythmic and
dynamic variety – what more could one want from music?… a near flawless and constantly
engaging series of musical episodes.” 5 Stars (Mark Gilbert, Jazz Journal)
“A very impressive debut” Stephen Graham, Jazzwise)
“a highly effective fierce interactiveness that promises much from live performance” (Chris Parker, LondonJazz)
“excellent ensemble playing, solos which dart off in various directions but never so
far as to lose touch” (Bruce Lindsay, AllAboutJazz)
STORIES
Joe Murgatroyd – clarinets
Laura Jurd – trumpet
Joe Wright – tenor sax
James Opstad – double bass
Simon Roth – drums
Stories is an outlet for new music, uniting five of London’s most exciting improvising musicians. Their combined force creates an emotionally charged music full of nifty melodies, fruity harmony and propulsive grooves.
