IAIN BALLAMY & GARETH WILLIAMS
Iain Ballamy - Saxophones, Gareth Williams - Piano
Doors Open 7pm
Performance Starts at 7.30pm
A rare opportunity to see these two major British Jazz musicians playing as a duo. This is going to be a very special evening - Do not miss it.
These two musicians have gained an international reputation sharing a musical empathy achieved through many years playing together.
Williams’ style encompasses a broad spectrum from the muscularity of McCoy Tyner to the harmonic genius and subtlety of Bill Evans incorporating the blues and his Welsh church music roots.
Ballamy is well known as an original, subtle, melodic and powerfully expressive saxophone voice. He has a well-established style as a composer creating perfect settings for improvisation.
Their repertoire ranges from personal interpretations of classic jazz standards and songs through to original pieces by both players. But whatever they play, there is a common thread running throughout – a profound appreciation of beautiful melody and harmony with a deep love and respect for the tradition.
These values are what have kept Jazz moving forward to re-invent itself in our current times.
This duo will be releasing an album entitled ‘Green in Blue’ in spring 2025 on the Babel label.
IAIN BALLAMY is widely considered to be one of the most intriguing and creative players on the UK and European jazz scenes today. His music transcends genres and he has forged strong and ongoing relationships with musicians around the globe and has worked with many of the cutting-edge figures in Jazz. Highlights of a career spanning nearly 30 years include working with Loose Tubes, Bill Bruford's Earthworks, Hermeto Pascoal, Django Bates, Kenny Werner, Gil Evans, George Coleman, John Taylor, June Tabor, Huw Warren, Richard Rodney Bennett's 'Concerto for Stan Getz', Ian Shaw, Claire Martin, Everything but the Girl, Mike Gibbs, Carla Bley and many more.
"A major international voice." Chris Parker, The Times
"Ballamy...leaves you in absolute awe...the sheer virtuosity and sense of joy makes you feel like a kid about to step onto a twinkling, old-fashioned merry-go-round" BBC
GARETH WILLIAMS has unquestionably established himself as one of the UK's leading modern jazz pianists. A fiery and creative player his remarkable talent has been seen with an impressive array of top level artists, from jazz/hip hop band "Us3" through to internationally-renowned jazz musicians such as Joe Lovano, George Coleman, James Moody, Art Farmer, Dave Liebman, Iain Ballamy, Jim Mullen, Claire Martin and he was a stalwart of all Pee Wee Ellis' Funk Assemblies.
"a jewel of a player... spinning out luminous introductions and codas" - Jazziz Magazine (USA)
"a fantastic improviser" - John Fordham in The Guardian
Tickets are also available at TREBLEROCK Guitar Shop, 52 The Mall in Clifton Village.
FRINGE JAZZ, Wednesdays at 7PM at The BRISTOL MUSIC CLUB, 76 St Paul's Road, Clifton. Bristol BS8 1LP