Doors 7:45 PM, Music 8:30 PM
Line-up:
Simon Purcell – Piano
Chris Batchelor – Trumpet
Julian Siegel – Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone
Steve Watts – Double bass
Gene Calderazzo – Drums
About
Red Circle features some of the most important contributors to the UK’s creative music scene during the last three decades. They’re also a bunch of old friends with years of playing experience.
The rhythm section dates back to regular appearances during the Bass Clef days, with Steve Watts (Printmakers, Loose Tubes, Iain Ballamy) and Gene Calderazzo (Partisans, Pharoah Sanders, Joey Calderazzo, Zoe Rahman). Julian Siegel (Partisans, Joey Barron, Kenny Wheeler, Django Bates, John Taylor) and Chris Batchelor (Big Air, Loose Tubes, Brotherhood of Breath, Hermeto Pascoal) are robust and individual musical personalities providing conceptual counterpoint that ensures the music is always more than the sum of the parts. As a result, the intention behind the material (all by Simon Purcell) is less about complex themes, instead providing attractive contexts for improvisation where these artists can stretch out.
Simon first came to prominence during the UK jazz boom of the 1980s through his band “Jazz Train” (with Martin Speake, Cleveland Watkiss, Dale Barlow et al), a quartet with Julian Arguelles (Loose Tubes), and numerous appearances with or opposite visiting American artists such as Eddie Henderson, Red Rodney, Conrad Erwig etc at London’s Bass Clef Club and occasional weeks at Ronnie Scott’s.
A second Red Circle album is planned for late 2022-23.
“… excellent Red Circle band of London jazz A-listers… featuring Purcell’s adventurous compositions” – Jazzwise
“Simon Purcell’s excellent Red Circle” the Guardian
“a great ensemble vibe with the sort of relaxed intensity that can only come with genuine chemistry. Purcell leads and plays with a benign wisdom.” MOJO Magazine
“The quality of the playing and compositions makes it stand out from the crowd” All About Jazz
“Evocative moods and firm structures add a fresh twist and the band’s musicianship is first rate.”
The Financial Times
“Admirable” – Forbes magazine