Sheffield Jazz -  Spring 2025 season of gigs.

Tuesday, January 07, 2025

Sheffield Jazz has announced its gig schedule from January to May 2025. Events take place at Crookes Social Club, The Crucible Playhouse and Firth Hall at the University of Sheffield.

Roy Saxby of Sheffield Jazz writes;

Our first gig is at the Crucible Playhouse with Tommy Smith & Gwilym Simcock, together for a night of musical duets and improvisations. Then Dave O’Higgins returns to Crookes Social Club with his Monkin’ Around Quartet. This is followed by exciting young pianist/composer Sultan Stevenson’s trio. In February at Firth Hall we feature Azerbaijani piano virtuoso Elchin Shirinov and his trio. We return to Cookes for flautist Gareth Lockrane’s Quintet followed by Hejira – Celebrating Joni Mitchell, a 7-piece band who play the songs of Joni Mitchell. Next up is guitarist/composer Billy Marrows’ 12-piece ensemble Grande Familia. Our April date features vocalist Georgia Mancio & Grammy-winning pianist Alan Broadbent at Crookes. In May we welcome bassist Misha Mullov-Abbado’s regular six piece group and our final gig is multi award-winning pianist and composer Ivo Neame’s Trio playing music from their new album.

Full details are on our website http://www.sheffieldjazz.org.uk.

Sheffield Jazz Spring 2025 Season

Crookes Social Club, Mulehouse Road, Sheffield, S10 1TD Tel: 0114 266 0114 Doors open at 19.20,music starts at 20.00, finish time 22.45. Prices: Full £17; over 60s,
disabled, unemployed £15; students with NUS card £10; 15–17 year olds £5; under 15s Free. Advance tickets from http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/sheffield-jazz.

Crucible Playhouse, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 1DA Tel 0114 249 6000 (in association with Music in the Round) Doors open 19.00 music starts 19.30, finish time 22.00.
Prices: Full £19; over 60s, disabled, unemployed £17; students with NUS card £10; 15–17 year olds £5; Under 15s Free. Advance tickets (no additional booking fee) from Crucible Box Office http://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

Firth Hall, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN Tel 0114 222 8888 (in association with University of Sheffield) Doors open at 19.00, music starts at 19.30, finish time 22.00. Prices: Full £18; over 60s, disabled, unemployed £16; students with NUS card £10; 15–17 year olds £5 Under 15s Free. Advance tickets from http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/sheffield-jazz.

For details visit http://www.sheffieldjazz.org.uk

Friday 10 January
at 20.00
Crookes Social Club
Dave O’Higgins’ Monkin’ Around
Quartet
Dave O’Higgins: tenor saxophone
Sean Fyfe: piano
Luke Fowler: bass
Billy Pod: drums
Tenor sax maestro and Sheffield Jazz favourite Dave O’Higgins returns with his latest project ‘Monkin’ Around’ playing more music by the great Thelonious Monk. Following his highly successful gig showcasing his ‘Play Monk & Trane’ album, here are three friends, with guest Sean Fyfe on piano for this gig, paying homage to Monk, one of the most original jazz composers of the 20th century. As demonstrated on their new album ‘4 in1’, they explore the quirky and memorable themes in Monk’s timeless, distinctive compositions. Many are well known, some rarely played, but all are swinging, grooving, lyrical and playful.

Friday 31 January
at 20.00
Crookes Social Club
Sultan Stevenson Trio
Sultan Stevenson: piano
Jacob Gryn: bass
Joel Waters: drums
Sultan Stevenson is one of the most exciting young jazz musicians whose captivating performances and original compositions have led to his rapid rise on the London scene. He is considered one of the brightest stars of his generation, winning Best Newcomer in the 2023 Parliamentary Jazz Awards. A product of the Julian Joseph Jazz Academy and Tomorrow’s Warriors, Sultan has shaped his musical identity through his cultural experiences, drawing heavily upon Jazz and African music. He cites McCoy Tyner, Kenny Kirkland, Geri Allen and Ahmad Jamal as some of his biggest inspirations, and this is reflected in his dynamic playing style.

Thursday 27 February
at 19.30
Firth Hall
Elchin Shirinov Trio
Elchin Shirinov: piano
Andrea Di Biase: double bass
Dave Hamblett: drums
Experience the fusion of contemporary jazz and Azerbaijani folk music through the original compositions of acclaimed pianist Elchin Shirinov, whose innovative style and virtuosic piano skills have earned him international recognition. Elchin featured in All About Jazz’s 2022 poll of the top 200 favourite living pianists in the world. With Italian Andrea Di Biase’s deep, lyrical bass lines and British drummer Dave Hamblett’s rhythmic precision, the trio creates a rich tapestry of sound that is intricate and accessible
and perfectly complement Elchin’s compositions. Expect a performance that transcends cultural boundaries and exemplifies the vibrant energy of modern jazz.

Thursday 7 March at
20.30
Crookes Social Club
Gareth Lockrane Quintet
Gareth Lockrane: flutes
Nadim Teimoori: tenor sax
Nick Costley-White: guitar
Oli Hayhurst: bass
Gene Calderazzo: drums
Flautist Gareth Lockrane, one of the UK’s most celebrated jazz musicians, leads a band of top musicians, all long-time collaborators. Gareth plays all the flutes and is also a pianist, arranger and a prolific composer. He is renowned around the world as one of the most versatile jazz flautists, boasting numerous accolades and awards and a string of high profile appearances alongside the likes of the James Taylor Quartet, Natalie Williams, Lianne La Havas, Nikki Iles and Bheki Mseleku. His other projects include his big band, his band ‘Grooveyard’ and his septet, all of which have produced acclaimed albums.

Friday 14 March
at 20.00
Crookes Social Club
Hejira – Celebrating Joni Mitchell
Hattie Whitehead: vocals & guitar
Pete Oxley - guitar
Oliie Weston - tenor & soprano sax
Chris Eldred - keyboards
Dave Jones: bass
Rick Finlay: drums
Marc Cecil: percussion
Hejira, a band of highly experienced jazz musicians who celebrate the work of singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell, mostly from the late ‘70s, put their own stamp on the material, whilst remaining true to the spirit of the originals. They’ve enjoyed sold out shows, standing ovations and acclaim from press and radio reviews.
Founded by guitarist Pete Oxley, the band is fronted band by Hattie Whitehead who has earned high praise for her vocal prowess, having, in her own way, assimilated the style of Joni’s vocals and plays guitar with Joni’s stylistic mannerisms. Expect an evening of great songs from Joni Mitchell’s back catalogue.

Friday 28 March
at 20.00
Crookes Social Club
Grande Familia
Teresa Macedo Ferreira: viola,
Tori Freestone: flute tbc,
Gustavo Clayton Marucci: clarinet & bass clarinet,
Chris Williams: alto sax,
Tom Ridout: tenor & soprano sax, clarinet, recorders,
Mike Soper: trumpet,
Olli Martin: trombone,
Anna Drysdale: French horn,
Billy Marrows: guitar,
Angus Bayley: piano,
Jonas Mbanu: electric bass,
Rod Oughton: drums
This gig is a rare chance to hear Billy Marrows and his chamber jazz group Grande Família play music from their critically acclaimed debut album ‘Penelope’. Recorded as a surprise for Billy’s mother Penny during her struggle with pancreatic cancer in summer 2023, it was released in her memory in January 2024. It features the group as a 12-piece ensemble and in smaller combinations, interspersed with intimate solo guitar vignettes. Their inventive contemporary jazz spans a wide emotional spectrum, with strong narrative and melodic solos and compositions at its heart. This melodic narrative shapes a beautiful evening of original music, not to be missed!

Friday 25 April
at 20.00
Crookes Social Club
Georgia Mancio & Alan Broadbent
Georgia Mancio: vocals
Alan Broadbent: piano
Andrew Cleyndert: bass
Dave Ohm: drums
Multi-award-winning vocalist/lyricist Georgia Mancio and double Grammy-winning pianist/composer Alan Broadbent present songs from their new album ‘A Story Left Untold’, alongside gems from their 40 strong back catalogues. This globally acclaimed collaboration spanning 12 years has been described as “one of the most formidable song writing partnerships of the 21st century” (Jazz Views), drawing comparisons to Stephen Sondheim, Rodgers & Hart, Cole Porter and Joni Mitchell. Their recordings
“Songbook”; and “Quiet Is The Star” were shortlisted Albums of The Year by the Arts Desk, Jazz Views and Jazzwise. With virtuosic performances, these songs, personal and political, beautiful and biting, are not to be missed.

Friday 9 May
at 20.00
Crookes Social Club
Misha Mullov-Abbado Group
Misha Mullov-Abbado: bass
James Davison: trumpet & flugelhorn
Tom Smith: alto sax
Sam Rapley: tenor sax
Liam Dunachie: piano
Scott Chapman: drums
Acclaimed bassist Misha Mullov-Abbado leads his regular group featuring some of the most sought-after young musicians in London. A prolific composer and arranger, Misha has worked with many top with musicians including Tim Garland, Viktoria Mullova, Rob Luft and Stan Sulzmann. The band will be playing music from their new album ‘Effra,’ due to be released in early 2025, which draws on a wide variety of influences from traditional jazz, swing and modern to Brazilian samba, classical music, minimalism and obscure. It showcases Misha’s ‘melodic gift’ (John Fordham, The Guardian) and ability to masterfully combine beautifully-crafted compositions with free-spirited improvisation.

Friday 16 May
at 20.00
Crookes Social Club
Ivo Neame Trio
Ivo Neame: piano
Tom Farmer: bass
James Maddren: drums
Multi award-winning pianist Ivo Neame leads his trio, featuring two of the finest UK-based jazz instrumentalists, playing music from his latest album ‘Zettalogue’. Ivo is one of a handful of musician/composers who are redefining the sound of British jazz with compositions that have an esoteric and highly original voice. His music is characterised by a stunning mix of virtuosity, sophistication and playfulness and his performances are known for their dynamic energy and emotional depth. All three musicians have strong, individual voices and are given space to make their mark on the music with a sound built on dynamic group interplay.