Richard Bona and GoGo Penguin for second Thump Fest
Friday, March 21, 2014
After its successful inaugural run last year the Thump Festival is back from 26 March to 29 March 2014 with another diverse programme of up and coming and international rhythm section talent at Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho.
Foremost of these is Cameroonian bass/singing sensation Richard Bona (pictured) with his Quartet, of Etienne Stadwijk (keyboards), Ludwig Alfonso (drums) and Tatum Greenblatt (trumpet), who will closing be out the event with two shows on two nights (28-29 Mar) with support from the Jungle Drummer and fusioneers Mind The Baby on each night respectively.
Slamming Manchester piano trio GoGo Penguin headline on 27 March, bringing their intense post-EST beat-laden sound to this cool Soho basement. Playing music from their firecracker of a new album, v2.0, which is the perfect showcase for the hip drum 'n' bass grooves of drummer Rob Turner and bassist Nick Blacka who power the piano riffs of Chris Illingworth.
Things kick off on 26 March with a showcase double bill opened by brilliant young drummer Sophie Alloway (pictured left) – a London-based session and jazz player who's toured internationally with rap star Roots Manuva and plays with many of the capital's leading jazz musicians. She appears with the talented all-female group, Quintette, which also includes rising star trumpeter Yazz Ahmed, saxophonist Josephine Davies, pianist Naadia Sheriff and bassist/singer Charlie Pyne. Drummer and percussionist Chris Draper headlines the evening in a genre-hopping duo, Zetta, with hugely versatile UK-based Autralian keyboardist Grant Windsor, known for his work with singers Gregory Porter and Clare Teal, here on keyboards and synths.
– Mike Flynn
For full listings go to www.pizzaexpresslive.co.uk