Jazz breaking news: Andy Sheppard, Stan Tracey and Abram Wilson Head Up Three Day Christmas Special At Kings Place

The first concert tonight in Hall One of the York Way venue, near Kings Cross and St Pancras stations and close to the newly relocated Central St Martin’s art college, is a double bill featuring the influential saxophonist and composer Andy Sheppard (pictured) headlining, with lively Scottish reeds and brass quartet Brass Jaw in support.

Serious Christmas, promoted by London Jazz Festival organisers Serious, continues tomorrow again in Hall One with the Godfather of British jazz Stan Tracey playing A Child’s Christmas In Wales, the great pianist and composer’s suite based on a Dylan Thomas story that has became a fondly remembered seasonal radio play favourite.

The much lauded piano trio Curios, led by Tom Cawley, feature on the other half of the bill, with the former Acoustic Ladyland keyboards player and composer – who has been touring extensively more recently with Peter Gabriel – alongside Sam Burgess on double bass and Joshua Blackmore, drums.

Saturday sees two big gigs with the two main concert halls of Kings Place involved. Leading trumpeter, composer and influential Tomorrow’s Warriors mentor and educator Abram Wilson headlines in Hall One with the UK-based New Orleansian’s Crescent City-themed New Orleans Style Christmas Story a feature of the night. Over in Hall Two, trioVD offer an alternative slice of Christmas cake from the sparky threesome with A Twisted Christmas, following the recent release by the Leeds-based skronksters of the acclaimed X. 

– Stephen Graham

For tickets go to www.kingsplace.co.uk