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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Interplay – 10 years together!

Posted by on Apr 3, 2019

Interplay – 10 years together!

Interplay Jazz Group – 10 years Together Creating Music! In our fast-moving world it can be hard to find something that has been allowed enough time to mature and develop.  Interplay is a band that has taken that time, reaching our current state of evolution through a journey of ten years. The band brings together the talents and experience of five exceptional musicians, each fuelled by diverse musical influences. Together we work on performing largely original material to make it our own.  Alan Wakeman, (saxes, flute), and Richard Baker (trombone) form an unusual and well-balanced front line. Coming from very different starting points and bringing contrasting styles they have evolved a close musical understanding.  Neil Hunter (keyboard), Adrian Litvinoff (basses) and Dave Balen (drums, percussion) weave together all kinds of dynamics – assertive, fluid, spacious and energetic, as the music requires.  All the band are striking and expressive soloists. The tunes, mainly by bassist and leader Adrian Litvinoff, provide hugely varied settings for the band’s invention and spontaneity.  He says “It is a serious privilege to have had these guys’ attention, musicianship and support over such a long period.  It means I can draw on our mutual understanding to produce music that reflects each individual’s creativity, and also aim for musical realms that more temporary bands are unlikely to reach”. From Village Hall to Concert Hall Also striking about Interplay is the range of audiences we have encountered over the years. In Jazz clubs, concert rooms and festivals, sure, but we have also played in churches, village halls, community centres, even the occasional stately home!  We love playing to people who are enthusiastic and knowledgable about jazz, of course, but there is a different vibe and job to do when the audience has no real idea what they are going to hear.  It’s our chance to help them savour something completely new! We try to do so without compromising the music in any way, and we find that people appreciate and respond to that. In recent years we have had the good fortune to perform in memorable concerts with some great guest artists. These include Claude Deppa, John Etheridge, Norma Winstone and Annie Whitehead, and thanks for this are mainly due to In The Moment, a voluntary promotions group based in Adrian’s home town, Leamington Spa.  In May 2019 the band is appearing there with Alina Bzhezhinska and Tony...

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Annie Whitehead for International Jazz Day

Posted by on Mar 4, 2018

Annie Whitehead for International Jazz Day

Annie Whitehead is to be Interplay’s special guest for In The Moment’s International Jazz Day concert, on April 29th this year. A truly individual trombonist, Annie has worked with top international and UK jazz ensembles. She also has an enviable portfolio of partnerships in other genres including with Robert Wyatt, Joan Armatrading, Elvis Costello and Charlie Watts. Annie has a special affinity it for African Jazz, and that will feature within the concert programme. There will also be some two-trombone action with Interplay’s Richard Baker, who describes himself as a big fan of Annie’s playing. As if that isn’t enough, the evening will also feature the marvellous Coventry singer Letitia George. Letitia has had an enormous impact at in The Moment’s Blues Revues last year, and now we are really looking forward to welcoming her into the world of jazz. For details of the gig and booking information look...

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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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Norma Winstone with Interplay for JazzDay ’17!

Posted by on Feb 5, 2017

Norma Winstone with Interplay for JazzDay ’17!

Interplay’s guest for international Jazz day this year is none other than the great British jazz singer Norma Winstone! Norma’s career spans a good five decades, since she emerged with the explosion of original British jazz in the 1960s. Her celebrated partnership with pianist John Taylor and trumpeter Kenned Wheeler produced some of the most elevated jazz of its time. Since then Norma continues to work in Britain and abroad making new music with many different artists and gathering awards. It is therefore really exciting that Norma will be in Leamington on May 1st to join Interplay. Songs by Adrian Litvinoff will feature in the programme as well as carefully selected standards and instrumentals. The event, an In The Moment promotion, will take place as last year in The Restaurant, Jephson Gardens. For further information and tickets please go to https://interplayjazz.co.uk/event/international-jazz-day-concert/...

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Interplay – more Jazz Day videos!

Posted by on Aug 23, 2016

Here’s another video from our Jazz Day concert with Claude Deppa in 2015. This time it’s our tune ‘Weightless’ featuring Dave Balen on tabla. After a beautiful soprano solo by Alan there is an amazing duet (or maybe duel) between Claude and Dave. Check it out! There are more videos in the pipeline, so please keep visiting 🙂...

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Interplay review in Jazzwise Online

Posted by on May 19, 2016

Interplay review in Jazzwise Online

Interplay’s gig with John Etheridge has been reviewed in May’s Jazzwise Magazine. Thanks to Matthew Wright for the well-chosen words! The title is: ‘John Etheridge, Si Hayden and Interplay Salute International Jazz Day’ Check it out online – just follow this...

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