Jay Azzolina ft Riley Stone-Lonergan
From Connecticut USA, guitarist Jay Azzolina has had an absolutely remarkable career. Studying with none other than Pat Metheny & Mick Goodrick at Berklee College of Music (world recognised for its jazz programme), Jay went on to tour and record with jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra, receiving a Grammy-award nomination in the process for their album “Fast Forward”. Over a 30-year period as a leading light of the New York scene, Jay includes work with the likes of Jaco Pastorious, Chuck Mangione & Rickie Lee Jones whilst his own collaborations with his friends, saxophonist Michael Brecker and bassist John Patitucci produced some of the finest music to come out of the US at that time. More recently his projects with saxophonist Chris Potter and organist Larry Goldings have been similarly lauded. As one would expect surrounded by contemporaries of this calibre, Jay’s playing offers a masterclass of style and taste. Joined by top UK musicians Riley Stone-Lonergan, bassist Oli Hayhurst and drummer Matt Skeaping, the quartet will perform an exciting mix of Jay’s own compositions from his discography, material from his latest 2025 album “Present Tense” and “reworked” standards. Very special stuff!
“…one of the finest and most talented guitarists on the planet.” Jazz Improv Magazine; “Azzolina is the consummate performer: His language embraces the contemporary side of jazz but he manifestly respects and owns the entire, seventy-year history of the electric guitar.” London Jazz News; “Exquisitely named saxophonist Riley Stone-Lonergan... [is] developing a sinewy soul-splattered sound of his own” Jazzwise