Description

Empirical vibesman and pianist recreate loveliness and bravado Door/food 7.0 pm, music 8.30 Students £8 (see note below)

"Wright is best known as a member of Empirical (Parliamentary winners, Best Jazz Ensemble, 2016). If he were not already a word-class vibes player, he would make a great songwriter, for unlike most contemporary jazz composers, he thinks first in terms of melody, and then how that melody can be given the most satisfying harmonic support. He has the knack of writing tunes that sound both fresh and familiar at the same time. In a previous generation, Benny Golson had the same gift... Now Wright, 29, makes his leadership debut with an album of his own compositions on which he is joined by pianist Kit Downes (Signum Classics SIGCD529). They launched it last night at the Pizza Express in Soho with a set which showed very clearly how much they enjoy playing together, as they've done since they were schoolboys living in adjacent villages in Norfolk (Downes is the elder by two years). Their spectacular improvising is not held in check here, but the real point of the exercise is the integration of compositions, performers and instruments into a form of chamber jazz that is by turns serene, jaunty, athletic and pensive. I'd call it a complete success." Richard Williams 10/4/2018

LINKS: Tokyo '81: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5TnFATgefc Ono no Komachi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8InLr8u69-g

IF THIS BOOKING SYSTEM proves too difficult or fails, please email your reservations and surname to a.m.lavender@btinternet.com

NOTE. To avoid disappointment, guests are advised to book in advance via this site (up to 6.0 pm on day of gig). The earlier you book, the nearer the front your seat will be. If claiming a student discount, please bring valid student ID and you will be refunded in cash on the night. Please arrive in good time for the gig: it is difficult to hold seats once the music has started. In addition to the tickets allocated to this site, a certain number may be purchased in person from the cafe (not by phone, please) and at other jazz gigs. Remaining unreserved tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis from 7.0 pm on the evening of the gig. Tickets booked online cannot be refunded in the event of non-attendance.

Description

159 Edward Street,

Brighton,

East Sussex,

England,

BN2 0JB.