Jazz concerts are set to begin at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) with performances from two acclaimed international artists.
DMU has teamed up with Leicester Jazz House, which promotes modern jazz concerts at venues across the city, to stage a new season of jazz events.
Award-winning British-Asian jazz clarinettist and composer Arun Ghosh and celebrated American jazz drummer Jeff Williams will play the first two concerts in DMU’s new season at The Venue@DMU.
DMU is also setting up a jazz ensemble, coached by Leicester-based professional saxophonist and composer Richard Everitt. A series of public performances are being planned on and off campus as part of the professional jazz programme at DMU which will also provide opportunities for specialist masterclasses with visiting artists.
DMU Head of Music Chris Heighton said: "Through our partnership with Leicester Jazzhouse, we’ve been able to create an incredibly exciting programme of live contemporary jazz performances here at DMU from leading international artists, whilst also presenting a unique opportunity for both our student and staff musicians to work with some of the finest jazz musicians in the UK through specialist workshops and masterclasses."
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Arun Ghosh will be bringing his band to DMU on 21 October at 8pm. Arun’s albums Primal Odyssey, Northern Namaste and South Asian Suite have garnered rave reviews for his ability to fuse classical Indian music with folk, hip hop and rock to produce a unique jazz sound. He performed live for the BT River of Music Festival as part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad, performs around the world and writes music for theatre.
On 11 November at 8pm, the Jeff Williams Quintet will be performing. Jeff has a CV which includes playing with the likes of saxophonist Stan Getz and Dave Liebman, and is a tutor at the Royal Academy of Music in London and at the Birmingham Conservatoire. His quintet features some of the finest and most celebrated musicians on the UK Jazz scene including Kit Downes (Piano), Josh Arcoleo (Tenor Sax), Phil Robson (Guitar) and Sam Lasserson (Bass).
For more details of where to get tickets and how to find out more about the jazz ensemble, CLICK HERE.
Other gigs planned as part of the series include:
19th January, 8pm to 10pm – Trish Clowes ‘My Iris’ (quartet) - http://trishclowes.com/
16th February, 8pm to 10pm – Tim Garland Quartet (including Jason Rebello on Piano)
16th March, 8pm to 10pm – Julian Siegel Big Band (TBC)
15th June, 8pm to 10pm – John Turville ‘Solstice’ (6tet) - http://www.johnturville.com/
Posted on Thursday 22 September 2016