Jazz breaking news: Carmen Lundy, Gannets and Kenny Garrett for Band on the Wall
Thursday, January 12, 2012
It’s all points north for Carmen Lundy and Gannets as the influential jazz singer and free improv outfit prepare to play Band on the Wall in Manchester.
Lundy (pictured), whose new album Changes is out next month along with the reissue of Night And Day featuring the late Kenny Kirkland, appears at the Swan Street club with her trio on 18 January. Gannets – the free improv outfit featuring the keyboards playing of Fyfe Dangerfield from respected indie band Guillemots – hit the club on 26 January.
Band on the Wall also features coming up the wildly popular DJ Scruff, of Trouser Jazz repute, for his Introducing Take On nights tomorrow and this Saturday, while influential north west hardy perennial Cinematic Orchestra guitarist Stuart McCallum rocks up in just under a fortnight on 24 January with a special project that follows hard on the heels of the release last year of his formidable new album Distilled.
Next month’s jazz and beyond highlights include Fingersnap, featuring singer David McAlmont and Guy Davies on 2 February, and world music courtesy of the powerful Malian Vieux Farka Toure on 14 February. Other jazz friendly acts from other genres include folk stars The Unthanks in Conversation on 9 February and blues rockers The Hamsters on 16 February. The monthly Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club in February features acid jazz favourites Speedometer and a chance to hear DC's Martha High sing live on 25 February.
Looking further ahead March highlights include the Kenny Garrett Quintet on 1 March, Cuban legends Sierra Maestra on 8 March, and the touring Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet hitting the Northern Quarter for a Band on the Wall night to remember on 29 March.
– Stephen Graham