Artists
Matt Hollick Quartet
Following in the lineage and tradition of many of his heroes, Matt Hollick, the rock-solid bass titan of the Birmingham scene, has taken on the mantle of quartet leader. Accompanied by fellow members of the upcoming Birmingham jazz generation, this young-blood band refreshes the classic quartet recipe, with a dash of McCoy Tyner and a hint of Kenny Wheeler; the American and British flavours brought out with the spicy kick of Kenny Garrett and the modern stylings of Chad Lefkowitz-Brown. Of course, a bass player’s band wouldn’t be complete without its backbone a combination of bass giants Dave Holland and Christian McBride.
One of the quartet’s most recent achievements (of many) is being invited to play at the prestigious Norwich Jazz Club - especially impressive considering they are fighting for their art to be heard in a community overflowing with potential competition; a testament to the originality in their approach to the music and its tradition. They subvert expectation, whilst providing such a somehow familiar yet completely previously unheard take on such a historical instrumental lineup.
The band features Michael Anning (saxophones), Will Markham (piano), Jonno Gaze (drums), and of course its harmonic and rhythmic powerhouse, an absolute workhorse of a bassist, Matt Hollick.
If you thought the quartet formula had been perfected, just wait;
You’ll see.
Joe Carnell’s Tephra
Having already racked up some serious playing experience on the scene, with bandmates performing at Montreux Jazz Festival, the Royal Albert Hall, Ronnie Scotts, Jazz a Vienne and the Vortex, Joe Carnell’s Tephra are not to be underestimated - the band is a performing force with frightening skill, miles beyond their years. With a brand new debut album hitting streaming services as well as CD and record players sometime this half of the year, expect to be impressed. Think the subdued, understated lyricism and intimacy of ‘Girls in Airports’ married with the infectious grooves of Bill Laurence. Think the stoic, solemn gale that blows through Jon Balke’s music meets the blues-based, pop-powered, progressive spirit of Keyon Harold. Think if Ahmad Jamal had been born 20 years ago and had some mad Spotify playlists to check out. This rich well of influences is what gives the Tephra its sound. That and the band, of course. In the words of Ratliff “In jazz, the band’s the thing”.
This collective, newly formed, is led by trombone extraordinaire and bandleader Joe Carnell. He is accompanied by Michael Anning on sax, Stella Roberts on keyboard, Ben Lee on Guitar, Matt Hollick on bass and Jonno Gaze on drums. The chemistry between the artists, gifted in their own right, is almost tangible - the energy fills the air as they perform. The strength of their sound at such a stage of infancy in the band’s career begs the question: where are they going next? Where is Joe Carnell’s Tephra going to be sonically after they’ve erupted onto the Birmingham and wider UK jazz scene?
Watch this space.
