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Jazznights presents a special jazz evening taking the form of a “Cherry Tree” presentation as part of the Bures Festival. Larraine Odell & the Jazznights Trio will get things moving in the time-honoured fashion followed by a set from the Simon Hurley Quartet. The amazing saxophonist Snake Davis will headlined the evening with the Jazznights Trio.
SNAKE DAVIS
Snake Davisis a session musician (saxophonist) who has played with some of the worlds biggest artists. In the 1980s he fronted York band Zoot and the Roots
Davis has played on the records of the following artists and many others notably the M People, as well as Lisa Stansfield, Ray Charles, Tom Jones, Culture Club, George Michael, Tina Turner, Paul Hardcastle, Take That, Cher, China Crisis, , Kylie Minogue, Paul McCartney, Swing Out Sister, Dave Stewart, Paul Young, Pet Shop Boys, Soul II Soul, Robert Palmer, Tanita Tikaram, Acoustic Alchemy Motorhead, Calvin Harris, and The Spice Girls, and he has also worked on numerous television adverts in the UK and abroad.
Snake Davis is renowned for his skill and expertise in playing both the saxophone and the flute and call play in any number of genres when asked upon from the smooth jazz to soul jazz. He released his first solo album in 2001 called “Snakebites”. Subsequently he has toured with his band Snake Davis & The Charmers.
He has subsequently released other albums including, Hysteria, Adder Lessons, and Talking Bird, the latter of which was commended for its blend of chillout, soul, and oriental themed music, which included his first recorded works of him playing the ancient Japanese instrument, the Shakuhachi.
http://www.snakedavies.com
LARRAINE ODELL & THE JAZZNIGHTS TRIO
Larraine Odell
Beginning her professional singing career with the group CMU with whom she recorded two albums, Larraine performed at numerous venues throughout the UK and Europe, including the Purcell Room, RFH.
She has since appeared at Ronnie Scott’s Club as a member of the group Jimpster, at the Boxford Fleece with pianist Steve Lodder, most of the other jazz clubs in the region, and at the Aldeburgh, Layer Marney and Southwold Jazz Festivals.
Larraine’s CD entitled “Portrait” attracted excellent reviews as did her performance on “The Blue Window” CD by Beatifik. She also appeared on Jimpster’s “Messages From The Hub” and is represented on the “Jazz In Essex – Vol 2” CD.
“I love Larraine’s voice…she has something special” Chrissie Murray – Ronnie Scott’s House Magazine. “Larraine shows a range and soulfulness that simply cannot be taught” – Kenneth Pearson – Jazzmanonline.
Roger Odell
As one of the founder members and drummer with the jazz-funk group Shakatak, Roger has toured internationally and recorded numerous CDs, which he continues to do on a regular basis to this day.
Musically, his first love was always straight-ahead contemporary jazz, and in the past he has played with many of the great names on the UK scene including Don Rendell, Barbara Thompson, Dick Morrissey, Terry Smith, Joe Harriott and countless others.
He recently produced his own CD “The Blue Window” by Beatifik, which featured top UK saxophonist Mornington Lockett, and was released to great critical acclaim.
Roger is the author of three technical articles which appeared in the international magazine Modern Drummer, and is an Endorsee Artist for Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks and Hardcases.
Bernie Hodgkins
Inspired by an uncle, who played and recorded with Django Reinhart and Stephane Grappelli in the legendary Quintet de Hot Club of France, Bernie grew up in a Jazz-oriented family. Their influence led him to become a respected bass player behind such people as Matt Munroe, Dickie Valentine and Dennis Lotus, in the early stages of his career.
Touring in Europe and further afield with a wide variety of artists honed his skills and added to his prodigious repertoire. Supports to players like John Scofield, and singers such as Annie Ross always proved inspirational and served to reinforce his enduring love affair with jazz.
Spending much of his time in the recording studios, he is equally at home and in demand as an enthusiastic “live” rhythm section player, as is testified by his work with Don Rendell, Jack Parnell, George Chisholm, Pete Jacobson, John Etheridge, Kenny Baker, Allan Skidmore, Dave O’Higgins and many others.
Simon Brown
Simon Brown is a highly respected and popular jazz pianist who is equally known for his arranging skills. He is always in demand to play many gigs throughout East Anglia when he is not playing at Jazznights or with his own trio, quartet and quintet.
Simon’s piano playing has long been the sound accompaniment of first choice for nationally and internationally known jazz stars appearing at Jazznights as well as Norfolk’s two leading jazz venues, the Lakeside Jazz Club at Lyng and The Green Man at Rackheath. He is also an accomplished soloist in his own right, blending vivacity and creative attack with often gentle lyricism. His influences are Oscar Peterson, Nat “King” Cole and Bill Evans.
Since graduating from the University of East Anglia (UEA) in 1990, Simon has worked as a performer, teacher of piano and music arranger and regularly appears at the most popular jazz clubs in East Anglia. His involvement in Blues, Jazz and Jazz-Funk combos have led to appearances at many jazz festivals and has shared the billing with the likes of Jools Holland, The James Taylor Quartet, Stacey Kent and Bobby Wellins apart from his regular performances as a primary member of the Jazznights Roger Odell Trio
THE WATSON-HURLEY QUARTET
Andy Watson and Simon Hurley, two highly respected local guitar players, specializing in finely crafted arrangements of jazz standards with a high degree of musical interaction. The quartet is sure to appeal to fans of both guitar and jazz alike. The guitarists will be joined by a superb rhythm section featuring Andy Staples (Bass) and Alex Best (Drums) for what promises to be a wonderful set that showcases some of the area’s finest jazz musicians. The quartet, who between them have performed with such names as Helen Shapiro, Humphrey Littleton and respected jazz guitarists John Etheridge and Jim Mullen, will be performing tunes chosen from the standard repertoire in ways that will demonstrate each band members wealth of talent and experience.
For further Jazznights information and future gigs go to www.jazz-nights.com