Charlie Anderson rounds up the latest Jazz News. Sun Ra Arkestra Under the direction of veteran saxophonist Marshall Allen, Sun Ra Arkestra return for their annual performance at the Con Club in Lewes on Sunday 21st and Monday 22nd April. The Comet Is Coming Influenced by Sun Ra and with an acclaimed new […]
Peter Ind at 90 The Verdict, Brighton Friday 14th September, 2018 “When I was younger, if I said ‘fuck’ it would be the end of the world. It no longer is, and I love saying it. Fuck!” -Peter Ind Peter Ind’s career began in 1949 when he travelled to America as a […]
Geoff Simkins Trio In A Quiet Way (Symbol Records) Geoff Simkins’ love of more obscure (but beautiful) repertoire shines through on this album, beginning with Make Someone Happy, which opens with a lovely solo piano intro by Nikki Iles. The gently played waltz Elsa is one of two compositions by Earl Zindars […]
Geoff Simkins Trio The Verdict, Brighton Sunday 18th June 2017 Local legend Geoff Simkins hasn’t released an album under his own name for a number of years, so it was great to see him launch his new album at The Verdict in Brighton, accompanied by the two other musicians on the CD, Nikki […]
Saxophonist and jazz educator Geoff Simkins has just recorded his latest album. He met with Charlie Anderson at The Verdict in Brighton where he performs on Sunday 18th June. Geoff Simkins releases his latest album in June, a trio album with pianist Nikki Illes and bassist Dave Green. “Nikki and I have done some […]
Geoff Simkins with Terry Seabrook The Snowdrop, Lewes Monday 23rd January, 2017 Whilst alto saxophonist Geoff Simkins is well known for his West Coast cool and bebop playing, performing uptempo versions of Anthropology, Invitation and I Remember April, the highlight was a beautiful rendition of Billy Strayhorn’s ballad Chelsea Bridge which exhibited Simkins’ […]
Geoff Simkins/Sheryl Bailey Quartet The Verdict, Brighton Saturday 24th October 2015 Both guitarist Sheryl Bailey and saxophonist Geoff Simkins are experienced jazz educators, Geoff teaching locally, whilst Sheryl Bailey teaches at Berklee and the Stanford Jazz Workshops. Fittingly then, this evening was a masterclass in musicianship with both musicians soloing fluidly over some […]
Claire Martin Vocal Workshop South Coast Jazz Festival Friday 23rd January 2015 Lou Beckerman sat in as an observer at Claire Martin’s South Coast Jazz Festival Vocal Workshop and here gives a review: Claire Martin doesn’t do a great deal of teaching so this SCJF Vocal Workshop was a brilliant opportunity for twelve singer […]
Geoff Simkins Quartet The Verdict, Brighton Friday 11th July, 2014 Firstly, it was fantastic to see pianist Nikki Iles back in Brighton. Secondly, it was great to see her performing with local legend (and newly ‘acclaimed’) Geoff Simkins. Bassist Simon Woolf continues to impress with some fine arco soloing and a […]
Howard Alden with Geoff Simkins & Simon Woolf The Verdict, Brighton Sunday 18th May, 2014 American guitarist Howard Alden is best known for performing the guitar parts for the Woody Allen film Sweet & Lowdown but has also performed with legends such as Woody Herman, Dizzy Gillespie and Red Norvo. In the UK […]