(click on pictures for larger images)
Gilad Atzmon is a British Jazz artist and author. Gilad was born in Israel in 1963 and trained at 
the Rubin Academy of Music, Jerusalem (Composition and Jazz). A multi-instrumentalist he plays saxophones, clarinet and ethnic woodwind instruments . His album Exile was the BBC jazz album of the year in 2003. He was described by John Lewis at the Guardian as the “hardest-gigging man in British jazz.” Atzmon tours extensively around the world. His albums, of which he has recorded fifteenth albums to date, often explore political themes and the music of the Middle East.
In 2000 Gilad founded the Orient House Ensemble in London and started re-defining his own roots in the light of his emerging ethical awareness. Gilad is a popular political analyst and is often guesting on Television and Radio stations around the world such as RT, Press TV, BBC and many more.
Over the years Gilad Atzmon’s music has moved increasingly toward a cultural hybrid. As a bandleader and reed player he has been amazing his listeners with his powerful personal style that combines great bebop artistry and Middle-Eastern roots in a sophisticated, 
sometimes ironical manner. Influenced by Coltrane’s powerful approach on the sax, Gilad’s live performances are simply breathtaking and overwhelming.
“Atzmon’s fluid lyricism is in full flow on songbook classics and worldly originals. But as sweet romance morphs to modernist uncertainty, the bittersweet balance and rich emotional palette equally impress.” Financial Times ***** March 2009
“A formidable improvisational array…a jazz giant steadily drawing himself up to his full height…” The Guardian.
“The best musician living in the world today” Robert Wyatt
“Gilad Atzmon, the expat Israeli saxophonist/clarinetist, combines thrilling jazz musicianship with a maverick political intelligence” The Guardian ****
“One of the finest alto players around, Gilad pays his respects to Bird …It’s striking how similar Gilad’s sweet, open-throated sound is to Parker’s, but as you’d expect from the fiery philosopher-turned-Blockhead, this is no tribute album.” BBC Music Magazine March 2009
“A formidable improvisational array…a local jazz giant steadily drawing himself up to his full height…”-John Fordham, The Guardian
“…Atzmon is an astonishing musician.”
John Lewis, Metro, September 07
“Atzmon is surely the hardest-gigging man in British jazz…” The Times
“Atzmon is a loose cannon: a larger than life figure with an almost overpowering musical personality… it’s as perfect a jazz marriage as you could wish for” Phil Jonson, Independent on Sunday
“Audiences are clearly bowled over with Atzmon’s whirlwind approach … dynamic, charismatic and … exasperating!”-Brian Blain, Jazz UK
“His flow of ideas and coherent marshalling of them makes for solos that are as exhilarating as they are impassioned fantastiK” The Herald Sunday Tribune
All of this was found to be so true at Jazznights with the gelling of the Trio and Gilad which left the audience utterly enthralled.
Gilad played with the Roger Odell Trio who were:
Roger Odell – Drums
Roger was one of the founder members and drummer with the jazz-funk group Shakatak and the forerunner band Tracks. Roger has toured internationally and recorded numerous CDs, which he continues to do on a regular basis to this day.
Simon Brown – Piano
Leading UK Jazz innovator and musical entrepreneur Simon Brown is a highly respected and popular jazz pianist who is equally known for his arranging skills. His bands include the quintet Beyond Cantaloupe featuring the music of Herbie Hancock, as well a the very popular Simon Brown Trio and Quartet. He is also a stalwart of the Jazznights Trio with Roger Odell and Bernie Hodgkins.
Bernie Hodgkins – Double Bass
Bernie grew up in a Jazz-oriented family and has toured in Europe and further afield with a wide variety of artists and honed his skills and adding to his prodigious repertoire. Spending much of his time in the recording studios, he is equally at home and in demand as an enthusiastic “live” rhythm section player.
Larraine Odell – Vocals
Larraine began 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, Royal Festival Hall. Boxford Fleece & Ronnie Scott’s
Larraine Odell opened the first set with some great jazz vocals including:
Artie Shaw’s Moonray
Nothing Will Be As It Was by Flora Purin
My Funny Valentine is a show tune from the 1937 Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart it was after all Valentines Day
Let’s Fall in Love is a song written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the film of the same title and published in 1933
Gilad Atzmon then joined the trio for extended versions of:
What Is This Thing Called Love? is a 1929 popular song written by Cole Porter, p;ayed on the alto sax
My One and Only Love played on his “big black thing” the baritone clarinet, a popular song with music written by Guy Wood.
Alone Together [Joint Mortgage] Alone Together” is a timeless tune and jazz standard written by Arthur Schwartz – played on the alto sax. The first jazz recording of this tune was done by Artie Shaw in 1939.
Following the Jazznights raffle of 3 jazz cd’s we had the traditional Jazznights sitting in spot which is open to all musicians who have an opportunity to play with the band. Tonight we had Geoff Harriman on his harmonica and Jose Canha on the double bass playing All Of Me
Carol Bleicker then sang Moonlight In Vermont and was joined by Jose Canha on the bass as well as Gilad Atzmon on the alto.
Gilad Atzmon then returned for his second set with his alto sax, clarinet and baritone 
clarinet playing:
The wartime song A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square. The song has become a standard, being recorded by Frank Sinatra in London in June 1962.
All the Things You Are was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II for the Broadway musical “Very Warm for Me,” which debuted in 1939.
Although Ellington is credited for the music of In a Sentimental Mood, Toby Hardwick 
should be recognized beyond his introductory performance. However this version was very much Gilad’s – a positive joy.
Cherokee is a tune written by Ray Noble originally intended for an “Indian Suite”. This tune was heavily adopted by bebopers such as Charlie Parker and Clifford Brown and remains to be a popular jam session tune but this great Jazznights finale was certainly Gilad’s played to a funky beat laid down by Roger Odell.
What a stunning night!
ALEX GARNETT (sax) will be at Jazz Nights on Sunday 28th February 2016
Alex Garnett has been one of the leading saxophonists in the UK and Mainland Europe for over two decades, being instantly recognized by his dark, husky sound. He can be seen at his weekly late-night residency at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho every Monday and Tuesday while not touring.
THE BEST IN BRITISH MODERN JAZZ is at Jazznights, Clare, Suffolk.
Admission £10. Doors open 7.00 pm. Music 7.30 – 10.00 pm.
Reserve seating on 01787 237653 or email info@jazz-nights.com
Pay on the night.
You can join us at facebook, read reviews of previous performances on more opinions blog or tweet at twitter.com/jazznightsuk
Pictures from past gigs can also be seen HERE
For further information on future gigs go to www.jazz-nights.com
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