Renowned for his melodic and warmly lyrical trumpet playing, Chris Batchelor has been composing music for almost as long as he’s been performing. Winner of the prestigious Paul Hamlyn Foundation Award for Composers, this new ensemble sees Batchelor further honing and distilling the approach he established in his writing for Loose Tubes and Big Air.

Batchelor’s distinctive compositions for Zoetic are the outcome of his long lasting immersion in a wide range of music in London’s varied scene, from East African guitar band grooves to echoes of wistful European folk themes and sinuous lines reminiscent of Arabic music. Add the influence of Batchelor’s original voice throughout and you have a rich source of inspiration for this exceptional group of musicians: Margrit Hasler on viola, John Parricelli on guitar, Steve Watts on double bass and Paul Clarvis on percussion.

It is this unique combination of musicians and instrumentation, the deep bonds these players have formed through years of playing together, and the subtle sensitivity of their inviting sound which makes Zoetic so special.

Chris Batchelor was a founding member of Loose Tubes and has played with many leading international stars, such as Hermeto Pascoal, Michael Brecker, Uri Caine and John Taylor. He leads the popular band Pigfoot, dedicated to re-inventing well known repertoire from all styles. He also co-leads the groups Total Vibration (with Laura Jurd) and Zone-B, in which he continues his long and fruitful association with altoist Steve Buckley.

 This concert is supported by Arts Council England’s Supporting Grassroots Live Music Fund and Forsyth Pianos.

A fine trumpeter who intriguingly blends Miles Davis's shrewd pacing and evocative long-note sounds with something of Harry Beckett's bubbly phrasing.

The Guardian

Chris Batchelor // trumpet

Margrit Hasler // viola

John Parricelli // guitar

Steve Watts // double bass

Paul Clarvis // percussion