Gary Crosby's Nu Troop - Migrations by dunemusic

This is the album that started it all thirteen years ago, it was the first Dune Music release and the album that has set the standard ever since. When Nu Troop recorded Migrations they were simply the finest and hardest-swinging straightahead jazz group in the UK. Double bassist Gary Crosby leads the band featuring Alex Wilson on piano, Robert Fordjour on drums, Denys Baptiste on tenor saxophone, Tony Kofi on alto and baritone saxophone and Neil Yates on trumpet/fluegelhorn/flute. If you haven't heard this album you can download and spend some time with it now, it packs as strong a punch today as it did when it was recorded. 

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Binker Golding is one of the fastest rising young stars in jazz. And to prove it, here's his Quartet performing a blistering version of Branford Marsalis' 'Doctone' filmed at The Spice of Life, Soho in July 2010. The line up is Binker Golding - tenor saxophone, Rick Simpson - piano, Pete Randall - double bass and Graham Godfrey - drums. Also, below are the audio files for 'Doctone' plus 'Jack Baker', 'Mr K.K.' and 'Representations'. For more on Binker go to MySpace and Facebook.

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Jazz breaking news: Denys Baptiste Unveils Songs From His First Album in Seven Years
Thursday, 22 July 2010 08:11

'Identity By Subtraction', the title track of Denys Baptiste's new album to be scheduled for release later in the year, was played live for the first time last night along with other songs from the new album.

Performing at the Hideaway club in Streatham on tenor and soprano saxophones, Baptiste, whose last album Let Freedom Ring! was released seven years ago, first made an impact on the UK jazz scene as a member of the late Bheki Mseleku's touring group in 1994 when Baptiste was touching his mid-twenties.

As a tribute to Mseleku, Baptiste performed the sophisticated and tender unreleased 'Song For You' (quoting slightly from 'If I Should Lose You') in a set that contained some exquisite ballads and driving, fast, hard bop.

Baptiste, from west London of St Lucian descent, brought his quartet who also feature on the album to be released by his long time label Dune which recorded his other albums Let Freedom Ring referred to above; Alternating Currents; and his Mercury-nominated debut from 1999, Be Where You Are.

Andrew McCormack on piano played effectively and astutely with Baptiste throughout, especially on 'Tunnel Vision' which featured on MY Duo, the album McCormack released last year with saxophonist / composer / producer, Jason Yarde.

Drummer Rod Youngs was joyfully propulsive throughout the evening (and at times dipped into a multi-directional style) while bassist Gary Crosby's ballad 'Ja-nine' was a highlight of the latter part of the first set. Baptiste's 'Special Times' dedicated to his family was accessible and engaging and the clubgoers warmed to a fine quartet performance, a taster for an album that will mark the welcome return of Denys Baptiste.

‒ Stephen Graham

 

The Dune Music Company and Tomorrow’s Warriors

Production Coordinator (F/T)

Harrow, NW London

Starting Salary:  £20,000 pa + IFSTL 

A confident and highly organised Production Coordinator with at least two years practical experience to work with an award-winning organisation specialising in jazz – education, touring, recording and publishing.

Based at our office in Harrow, you will work closely with artists, musicians, and other members of our team to produce and manage our live events and record productions.

A mature, resourceful individual with excellent communication and people management skills, you will be unflappable, able to multi-task, and remain calm even in the most challenging situations.

This appointment is subject to Enhanced CRB clearance.

Application pack available by emailing jennie.cashman@dune-music.com  Tel: 020 8424 2807

Closing date: Monday 2nd August 5pm                         
Interviews: Week commencing 16th August 

We're delighted that Lincoln based jazz big band Jazz Vehicle and their Director John Crouch have won the first prize at the National Festival of Music for Youth Jazz Finals, beating eight other bands from all over the country. Jazz Vehicle were recently mentored by Dune's Abram Wilson and performed a sensational concert with him at the Lincoln Drill Hall. And we'll soon hear if Jazz Vehicle may will be performing at the Royal Albert Hall in this year's schools prom. You can follow Jazz Vehicle on Facebook

To help raise funds for Corine Dhonee's fabulous documentary, The Queen's Suite, Peter Edwards attempted to play 17 pianos located around the City of London. Peter and Corine's journey began on Moorgate Road at 10.15 am. 

Did Peter succeed? Check out the video!

If you would like to back The Queen's Suite visit Kickstarter to pledge. 

Friday 13 August 
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, 47 Frith Street, London W1D 4HT. 020 7439 0747.
Start time: 8 pm Tickets: £20.00- £37.50

The Denys Baptiste Quartet will air new repertoire from the upcoming album Identity By Subtraction at Ronnie's on Friday 13 August. Alongside Denys will be Gary Crosby on double bass, Rod Youngs on drums and Andrew McCormack on piano. The Denys Baptiste Quartet will be playing with The Colin Towns Mask Orchestra as part of the Brit Jazz Fest 2010. For more information and tickets click here.