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...

See More

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?...

See More

Interplay back at Symphony Hall

Posted by on Feb 9, 2014

Interplay back at Symphony Hall

Interplay has been booked to play at Birmingham’s prestigious Symphony Hall in the popular Jazzlines series of Friday foyer concerts. This marks our return after a gap of some four years. This has prompted me to reflect on how the jazz scene in the city has evolved in recent times. The return of the Town Hall to major jazz events, and continuation of excellent programmes at places like the CBSO Centre, have set a high bar at their level, while exciting developments such as the jazz promotions at the Hare and Hounds and Spotted Dog have added something more ‘street’.  The growing presence and impact of the jazz course at the Conservatoire, also, stimulates a lively self-help scene among young and emerging musicians.. Creatively things are really buzzing. Is there a down side? Well, the lack of a really coordinated approach to jazz promotion in the city and the region could be one. Compared to other parts of the country we don’t seem to have the ability to pool energies or resources the way some of our neighbouring regions appear to do.  The ‘jazz community’ here thus provides a somewhat fractured and polarised environment in which to work, and this is not helpful at any level. The absence of a recognised broadcast platform for the music might be another. With notable important exceptions such as internet radio The Bridge’s Alan Musson or Theresa Kellegher at Seclow Sounds we are hardly overwhelmed by broadcasters thirsting to share our music or experiences. Outside the city itself the jazz picture is also mixed, but certainly not disheartening. Warwick Arts Centre still offers a varied programme although Jazz Coventry is but a shadow of its former self and Stratford Jazz has, understandably, scaled back its activities. At more local level Leam Jazz is still hanging in there after three years of unsubsidised promotions and only this week the new Kenilworth Jazz Club got off to a flying start, while Spa Jazz at The Clarendon is going from strength to strength.  There are no shortages of players or listeners at jazz jam sessions either – Rugby now has two – and there seems to be a steady flow of people wanting to learn to play jazz, of all ages and stages.  Much of this activity of course comes as a result of dedicated voluntary effort. So it’s clear that jazz in this region is not ‘dead’, that it has...

See More

New reviews for Interplay’s album ‘Global’

Posted by on Jan 7, 2014

New reviews for Interplay’s album ‘Global’

Two on-line jazz sites have just published positive reviews of the new album ‘Global’. ‘Jazz Views’ calls it ‘excellent’ and ‘a quite virile assay of post-bop modes’ while jazz reviewer Adrian Pallant finds it ‘joyful and contrasting’. Why not read the reviews in full and then let us know what you think of the album yourself?...

See More

Album launch – new photos

Posted by on Oct 26, 2013

Album launch – new photos

Here are two sets of terrific photos, from Rob Bridge aka @redwoodphotos, and Jon Elbery. Please check them out at  https://interplayjazz.co.uk/gallery/. It’s fantastic that images like these seem to recall so much of what was really great about the event itself. Enjoy!

See More

Interplay album launched – and how!

Posted by on Oct 23, 2013

Interplay album launched – and how!

Sunday evening was a really memorable night for Interplay, as a lively crowd of music fans, friends, music scene movers and the simply curious packed into LAMP, Leamington’s Live Arts and Music Project, to share in the launch of the band’s new album ‘Global’. Steve Steinhaus was in the compere’s chair to move proceedings along and the band got swiftly down to business with the Cuban classic ‘Amor Verdadero’. After a reflective ‘Hermitage’ it was time for the first of the night’s original compositions, ‘Autumn Magic’, followed by an outstanding version of ‘Weightless’ featuring Alan Wakeman on soprano sax and Dave Balen in exceptional form on tablas. ‘Fashion Statement’ made for a complete mood shift, calling up some fine trombone from Richard Baker, before the band wrapped the set up with their north African-tinged version of ‘Imam’. For the second half opener ‘El Cuarto de Tula’ the entire audience was equipped with hand percussion, leading to a riotous rendition. ‘Shapeshift’ followed, with Neil Hunter building an exciting extended keyboard solo supported by the whole band.  We then welcomed saxophonists Ray Hinks and Onno van Winden to sit in on ‘Su Baille Nuevo’, producing a spirited four-horn improvisation. ‘Slow Flame’, the evening’s deep ballad, really seemed to draw everyone in before ‘Swift Return’ and ‘The Shuffle’ brought the night to a celebratory climax. Thanks to everyone who helped to make the evening such a success! To the 100 or so souls who packed the venue and responded to our music with such warmth and enthusiasm, to all those who bought albums – over 40 were sold – and to all those who signed up to our mailing list. Not forgetting the crew at LAMP, Steve Steinhaus for mastering the ceremony, Rob Bridge our brilliant photographer, our lovely crew of helpers on the night, and all those nearest and dearest to the band who support us with their encouragement, patience and understanding. Without you all it could not happen! And to top it off there is a cracking review of the night and the album by Sundari Cleal of the Leamington Courier. Please check it out, and of course add any comments of your own – we’d love to have your feedback too!...

See More