Matt Holborn Quartet – Album Launch, “For Stuff”
Join London-based jazz violinist Matt Holborn and his quartet for a concert dedicated to jazz violin legend Stuff Smith. A major figure in jazz from the 1930s onward, Smith worked with greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, Nat King Cole, and Ben Webster, and appeared in the iconic 1958 photo, "A Great Day in Harlem." Matt played violin in musical comedian Bill Bailey's live band, is founding member of the London Django Collective, hosts the Jazz Violin Podcast and is jazz strings workshop leader with Tomorrow’s Warriors. He’s also performed regularly with Kansas Smitty’s, Trio Manouche and similar outfits, touring the UK and beyond. Tonight, along with his terrific quartet, Fraser Urquhart-piano, Simon Read-bass and Joe Dessauer-drums their set will feature selections from Stuff Smith’s repertoire alongside originals from Matt’s album, "For Stuff", released officially this evening. Inspired by Smith's style and legacy, the music lovingly showcases Smith’s innovative approach to the violin, along with new works that pay homage to his sense of swing and energy!
“A consummate performer… Holborn blew hot…a marvellous set” Bebop Spoken Here; "This delightful album sheds a little sunlight on a rather neglected patch of jazz" Jazzwise; "Violinist Matt Holborn displays his ability to move around the instrument fluidly whilst speaking fluently in the jazz manouche language...the compositions are intelligent, the standards are well executed and the performances are flawless." London Jazz News