‘A distinctive group sound and philosophy’ – theJazzMann reviews Interplay at Warwick Arts Centre

Posted by on Jun 13, 2014

‘A distinctive group sound and philosophy’ – theJazzMann reviews Interplay at Warwick Arts Centre

Jazz critic Ian Mann has given a glowing report of Interplay’s recent performance at Warwick Arts Centre. He endorses the band’s musical approach and individual creativity. Read the whole review here. There aren’t many people writing about jazz like this, who invest time and effort in attending to local and regional artists as well as the big names. Those that do are much sought after, and we appreciate the care and attention of people like Ian in trying to evaluate and promote a wider interest in this great music at all levels. If you want to be sure of knowing about our future gigs please join our mailing list – just put your email address in the box at the bottom of this...

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New Jazz Conceptions: History, Theory, Practice

Posted by on May 14, 2014

‘New Jazz Conceptions: History, Theory, Practice’ is the theme of a one day open conference at Warwick University Humanities Research Centre on Saturday 31st May. The brainchild of Roger Fagge and Nicholas Pillai, both lecturers at Warwick, the event reflects a move to place jazz more centrally within the cultural curriculum of the University. Arguably jazz is one of North America’s greatest contributions to global culture arising in the 20th Century, and by now we are familiar with its many offshoots and manifestations emanating from almost every continent. This one-day conference will bring together Warwick, Midlands and National speakers to discuss current research in jazz, share ideas about methodologies for future study, and explore the link between academics and the practice of jazz in the wider community. Speakers: Tony Whyton, Catherine Tackley, Andrew Hodgetts, Roger Magraw, Katherine Williams, Adrian Litvinoff, Simon Barber and Vic Hobson (National Jazz Archive) The Conference is open to everyone including musicians, promoters, jazz activists and enthusiasts, and booking is now open. For further details and to book your place just visit the conference page. Let’s...

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Global Jazz Double Header at Warwick Arts Centre

Posted by on May 7, 2014

Global Jazz Double Header at Warwick Arts Centre

Lovers of globally-inspired world music and jazz are in for a special night at Warwick Arts Centre on June 8th, when two of the region’s best bands join forces. Sonrisa brings its joyous blend of mainly Latin rhythms while Interplay casts its net a little wider, taking in African and Indian sounds as well as expressive modern jazz. Despite their musical common ground this will be the first time the two bands have appeared together.   Interplay and Sonrisa are both well established across the Midlands, playing to concert and festival audiences, in clubs and on rural touring circuits for several years. Each band released an album last year too. ‘Global’, on the part of Interplay, was hailed by Gilles Peterson as a ‘beautiful record’, while Sonrisa’s ‘Taste Of Latin’ has resulted in the band being taken up by Tom Robinson for BBC Introducing on 6Music.   The gig is presented on the ‘Under The Radar’ strand, through which the Arts Centre gives exposure to artists thought deserving of a wider audience. The evening promises an uplifting musical journey infused with different cultures, with rhythmic excitement and instrumental creativity to the fore. Details and booking link here...

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International Jazz Day in Leamington

Posted by on Apr 24, 2014

International Jazz Day in Leamington

Can’t make it to Osaka for International Jazz Day? Don’t despair – IJD is also coming to Leamington Spa! Interplay Duo will be on hand at Wagamama on Wednesday evening with a special programme of jazz from around the world. Pianist Neil Hunter and bassist Adrian Litvinoff draw on a huge repertoire to ensure the evening has a genuinely global flavour. Get the details here. Meanwhile click ‘read more’ to see Herbie Hancock’s inspirational message on video, our very own UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Jazz!...

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Jazz lunch with Interplay

Posted by on Apr 10, 2014

Jazz lunch with Interplay

We are off to Market Harborough Jazz Club this Sunday for a lunch-time gig. Word has it the crowd there are a bit ‘serious’, but that’s not how I remember our last visit. I think we played plenty of Latin stuff and may even have equipped the audience with shakers and other things to hit! I do know that we sold more albums there than at any gig before or since. Roll on Sunday! Join us?...

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Adrian on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire

Posted by on Feb 16, 2014

Adrian on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire

I’ve been in to the Priory Place studio of BBC Coventry and Warwickshire today to talk about our Interplay Duo gig at Wilde’s tomorrow night. This will feature me and Richard Baker (trombone) exploring more of those gorgeous low frequency tonalities. The invitation came from Marian McNamee – just after I said that mainstream radio didn’t show much interest in the regional jazz scene! Marian presents the Sunday afternoon show from 1.00 – 3.00pm. This looks like being a good outlet for local music information from here on, and of course we will make sure that Marian has all the information she could need in future. If you’d like to hear the broadcast it runs from about 8.00 minutes in, duration 14 minutes approximately. You can also hear ‘Swift Return’ – enjoy!...

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