Jazz Meets Dancehall – Great Review!

Posted by on Sep 2, 2022

Our event ‘Jazz Meets Dancehall’ on August 6th was a really roller-coaster!  Just two days earlier Claude Deppa had phoned with the dreaded news that he had Covid.  What’s to be done? After a frantic day of ringing round we were extremely fortunate that none other than Byron Wallen was free and ready to step into the breach! ‘Free’, yes, but teaching on a summer-school in Cardiff right up to the end of Friday.  Heroically he trained it up to London just in time to connect with our other guest Annie Whitehead and make it to the venue on time! It was worth it anyway because Byron took to the programme beautifully and the whole thing went really well.  You can see how well from the following review in the Leamington Courier by their esteemed veteran music critic Clive Peacock. Thanks to In The Moment for helping to organise and Warwick Town Council for financial...

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‘Musical Exchanges’ is Under Way

Posted by on Aug 5, 2022

Our collaboration with In The Moment, ‘Musical Exchanges’, is under way. We are exploring links between Jazz and several other cultural traditions from South Africa, Jamaica and North India.  This ties in with the Commonwealth Games currently in progress. ‘Jazz Meets Dancehall’, (August 6th) features Annie Whitehead, trombone, and Byron Wallen trumpet, a late substitute for COVID-struck Claude Deppa.  The set will feature South African tunes and Jamaican classics in the Ska and Reggae traditions, all with an Interplay twist. ‘Indian Jazz Fusion’ (August 10th) will feature Kathak  (Classical Indian) singer and dancer Awantika Dubey in a programme of cross-fertilisation between the traditional virtuosic and sacred Indian material and Interplay’s rhythmically flexible approach to Jazz. The approach is well summed up in the Leamington Courier and tickets are on sale now! Hit these links for tickets ‘Jazz Meets Dancehall’ ‘Indian Jazz Fusion’ And to have a go yourself, why not join our Music Improvisation workshop with Alan Wakeman and Adrian Litvinoff, or try the Bollywood Dance Taster with Awantika Dubey and Dave Balen?  No experience necessary and fun...

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Alan Wakeman – a tribute to himself

Posted by on Mar 14, 2022

Alan Wakeman – a tribute to himself

Alan Wakeman is so unassuming that one can lose sight of what a creative presence he is and has been for many years on the British jazz scene. Fortunately other people have contrived to bring him into the spotlight where he richly deserves to be.  In this ‘tribute to himself’,  his groundbreaking recordings for BBC Jazz Workshop (1969) and Jazz In Britain (1979) are the focus.  They were re-issued in 2020 on Gearbox Records and have won a fistful of encomiums, not least featuring in the Critics’ Polls of New York City Jazz Record and Jazzwise magazines. Chaturanga Suite Now Alan has assembled a high-powered band to take this music out on the road.  The band comprises some of the original performers and others of the calibre required to do the music justice.  Henry Lowther (trumpet) and Art Themen (saxophone), John Horler (piano) and Paul Nieman (trombone) are the veterans.  Asif Sirkis (drums), Arnie Somogyi (bass), Peter Whyman (clarinet) and Miguel Gorodi (trumpet) complete the ensemble, billed as Alan Wakeman’s Octet. Dates so far include Ronnie Scott’s (May 8th), Exeter Phoenix (May 10th), Birmingham Jazz Festival (May 13th) and Dorking Watermill (May 17th). We at Interplay wish Alan the very best for the tour and are booking our seats right now to experience this unique and very British jazz live in person....

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Kenilworth gets on its feet

Posted by on Sep 21, 2021

Kenilworth got on its feet on Saturday night when Interplay appeared in party mood. With balmy temperatures, the rain mercifully scarce and a comfortably relaxed crowd in Talisman Square we were all of one mind – to groove!Venezuelan pianist Edgar Macias, sitting in for Neil Hunter, brought a truly authentic touch to our Latin set. Not only that, his vocal rendition of ‘Chan Chan’ was really romantic, according to at least one female audience member! As the gig coincided with the 25th anniversary of the great Buena Vista Social Club recordings this was very timely indeed.Our other guest was trumpeter Carol Whitworth, standing in for trombonist Richard Baker, and herself from Kenilworth. Carol’s initially cool playing got hotter and hotter as the night went on, especially on funkier numbers like ‘Memphis Shout’.Interplay stalwarts Alan Wakeman (saxes and flute) and Dave Balen (drums and percussion) were in fine form too, whether on the Latin repertoire or some of the band’s more off-the-wall numbers like ‘Norbert Dentressangle’ and ‘No Trouble’. Thanks very much to Kenilworth Arts Festival for having us, and we look forward to making the Square move again at a future festival!Bohemia After Dark? No its...

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Interplay for Kenilworth Arts Festival

Posted by on Sep 4, 2021

Interplay for Kenilworth Arts Festival

Interplay will be appearing at Kenilworth Arts Festival on Saturday 18th September at 7.30pm. This is an outdoor gig so the emphasis is very much on lively, groove-filled music to get you moving – in your seat or on your feet! After our long lay-off we are delighted to be appearing in the Warwick district again. This follows our highly enjoyable outing at All Saints Church Leamington in August.Check out the gig details here.Information about Kenilworth Arts Festival is here.Dress warmly...

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2017 Vocalist of the Year – Norma Winstone

Posted by on Apr 29, 2017

2017 Vocalist of the Year – Norma Winstone

Renowned jazz singer Norma Winstone, who is Interplay’s guest on May 1st, has just won another accolade – 2017 Vocalist of the Year – in the Jazz FM Awards. Norma maintains a full schedule in this country and abroad, between Nikki Iles’ Printmakers and her own international trio, besides a huge range of other projects. We are really privileged to have her, and will have to be absolutely on our mettle! Tickets are still available online at time of writing from Wegottickets, and there will be a limited number at the door. The concert starts at 7.30pm in the Restaurant in the Park, Jephson’s Gardens. See our events page for further...

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