1st March: JJ Wheeler ‘Come Back Stronger’ & Ralph Wyld’s Mosaic
JJ Wheeler ‘Come Back Stronger’
JJ Wheeler’s Come Back Stronger is a 10-piece band formed to play the highly emotive suite, A Question of Hope. Written about the bandleader’s life-threatening battle with Cancer, the suite explores themes of desperation, anger, frustration and the search for hope through engaging, sometimes dark, sometimes light-hearted yet always sophisticated music. Weaving together influences from composers such as John Hollenbeck, Maria Schneider and Kenny Wheeler to Radiohead, The Invisible and Peter Gabriel, the group’s sound ebbs and flows seamlessly between driving grooves, epic soundscapes, delicate melodies and intricate rhythmic constructs.
Jess Berry – vocals
Tom Dennis – trumpet, flugelhorn
Tom Green – trombone
Matthew Herd – alto and soprano saxophones
Sam Rapley – tenor saxophone
Rob Cope – baritone saxophone, flute
Ralph Wyld – vibraphone
Sam James – keyboards
Misha Mullov-Abbado – bass
JJ Wheeler – drums
Ralph Wyld’s Mosaic
Featuring an array of young talent and a diversity of influences, Mosaic was created as a means of bringing together people, ideas and genres. The lineup provides vibes player/composer Wyld with a spectacular textural and timbral palette, from glistening, transparent treble to powerful, earth-shuddering bass. The unique character of each player is also highly valued, with improvisation taking a central role. Inspiration for the music includes Shostakovich, Copland and Piazzolla as well as Gil Evans, Vince Mendoza, Kenny Wheeler and Bill Frisell.
Ralph Wyld – vibraphone
James Copus – trumpet
Sam Rapley – clarinets
Cecilia Bignall – cello
Misha Mullov-Abbado – bass
Scott Chapman – drums/percussion