A joyful celebration of female songwriters, poets and musicians, through the rare medium of jazz ensemble + choir!
This collaborative project unites two iconic and vibrant ensembles, The Printmakers – Nikki Iles’ all-star sextet featuring the great Norma Winstone MBE – and the London Vocal Project, the unique groove-based jazz choir directed by the inspirational Pete Churchill. Together they will cook up a feast of newly-devised music placing women at the heart and the helm, bringing together the exceptionally lyrical output of Norma Winstone with the beguiling music of award-winning pianist/composer Nikki Iles. For those familiar with the many different colours of the Printmakers’ music, this will be a rare opportunity to hear their sound re-framed by the extraordinary voices of the London Vocal Project.
The Printmakers:
The word supergroup is common currency, especially in the rock world. Jazz, of course, has its fair share of supergroups too. Sometimes, one supergroup comes along that really is very special indeed. The Printmakers is such a group. Award winning Nikki Iles is one of the heroines of British jazz. She has made an invaluable contribution to the jazz scene in this country and beyond, while also making a very personal musical statement in many groups, not least her own superb Anglo-American trio with Rufus Reid and Jeff Williams.
Grammy nominated and ECM recording artist Norma Winstone MBE, pioneering innovator of the voice, has been a leading light in European music for many years. She collaborated with Kenny Wheeler and John Taylor in Azimuth, described by Richard Williams as “one of the most imaginatively conceived and delicately balanced of all contemporary chamber jazz groups“. She has also worked with Fred Hersch, Steve Swallow, Jimmy Rowles, Mike Gibbs and Ralph Towner. She has had a resurgence recently, with three superb award winning ECM releases in collaboration with European musicians, Klaus Gesing and Glauco Venier.
In Printmakers, Nikki and Norma are joined by long-term collaborators Mike Walker, Mark Lockheart, Steve Watts and James Maddren on drums, all celebrated creative forces in their own right. Brought together by their collective love of song, The Printmakers’ music defies category and sets out to cross the boundaries that traditionally separate jazz, folk and the contemporary music world.
London Vocal Project
The London Vocal Project is one of the UK's leading contemporary vocal ensembles, specialising in jazz and groove music. Formed in 2008 from graduates of London conservatoires, the 24-strong choir comprises singers, instrumentalists, composers and music educators. Their repertoire spans a huge breadth of genres, from jazz and popular music to gospel and groove, performing their own arrangements and compositions at London's most famous venues. They have collaborated with some of the world's leading writers and performers, including Sir John Dankworth, Kenny Wheeler, Bobby McFerrin and Jon Hendricks.
LVP is led by established composer, performer, conductor and educator Pete Churchill. His busy freelance career has included work as diverse as a year in the West End as a Musical Director of Five Guys named Moe, almost a decade and a half as the British accompanist for the legendary jazz-singer Mark Murphy and the conductor of the Kenny Wheeler Big Band. He has collaborated with Norma Winstone, Stan Sulzmann, John Taylor, Cleveland Watkiss, Julian Arguelles, Bobby Wellins and Tina May, and released several critically acclaimed jazz albums under his own name.
This concert is supported by Arts Council England’s Supporting Grassroots Live Music Fund and Forsyth Pianos.
In the old days, this band would have had the words “All-Stars” in their name. Every one of them is a leading figure in British contemporary jazz. Together, they create 10 evocative sound-pictures of places and times. It’s remarkable how just five instruments and voice can suggest space and depth as they do.
Dave Gelly, The Observer (on Printmakers)
Rooted in the gospel tradition, this is an outfit with exceptional potential — the hushed harmonizing was a delight… more please!
**** Clive Davis, The Times (on LVP)
Norma Winstone MBE // voice
Nikki Iles // piano
Mike Walker // Guitar
Mark Lockheart // saxophone
Steve Watts // bass
James Maddren // drums
London Vocal Project led by Pete Churchhill