Simon Woolf's Jazz Cello Project ft Gareth Lockrane
Lyrical and sophisticated, Simon Woolf is widely considered to be one of the most fluent and creative double bass players in Europe. A distinguished career spanning close to five decades has embraced associations with such US stars as Benny Golson, Harry Allen, Ralph Moore, Ruby Braff, George van Eps and Howard Alden along with collaborations with many of the UK’s leading musicians. Tonight he brings his latest lineup to the Club, featuring him not on bass but on jazz cello! Although mostly associated with classical music the use of cello in jazz has a long history dating back to 1917 and WC Handy. The great bass player Oscar Pettiford famously recorded on jazz cello in the 1940’s, and the 1950’s & ‘60’s saw Fred Katz popularise the instrument with the iconic Chico Hamilton quintet. Meanwhile both Ray Brown and Ron Carter among others also produced delightful albums with the cello leading the way. The band tonight features the world class jazz flautist Gareth Lockrane along with Oli Hayhurst-bass & Joe Edwards-drums playing a mix of classic jazz standards alongside originals by both Simon and Gareth in the swinging jazz tradition.
“Woolf…a lyrical third voice” LondonJazz News; “Special mentions for Simon Woolf’s excellent bowed melody on ‘Spring is Here’… outstanding” Jazzwise; “Lockrane’s flute work is exceptional, combining a relaxed fluidity with an acute adventurousness” Jazzwise