Part of a brand new and wide-ranging event, Keystones Piano Festival, this is the first of 2 gigs presented by Jazz at The Lescar. 5 pianists over 2 nights, and a Steinway D Grand Piano in the atmospheric Samuel Worth Chapel.

In collaboration with the Samuel Worth Chapel, Music in the Round, and Sheffield University we're proud to present two of London's most intriguing pianists in a special piano and keyboard duo performance.

We're proud to present two of London's most intriguing pianists in a special piano and keyboard duo performance.

Professor of jazz piano and composition at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, Bruno Heinen has worked with artists including Shabaka Hutchings, Eska, Julian Siegel, Denys Baptiste and Reem Kelani, with a compositional voice informed by his love of composers from Duke Ellington to Béla Bàrtok and from Wayne Shorter to György Ligeti.

https://youtu.be/rg3SGffVLlo?si=78hcKxY3Zw7Rwkbb

"Eclectic, eccentric and unobtrusively erudite" - The Guardian

Maria Chiara Argirò has been a central figure in the UK jazz, classical and electronic worlds since she moved to London from Rome over a decade ago. A skilled pianist since childhood, she's collaborated with everyone from These New Puritans and Jono McCleery to Jamie Leeming alongside output with Moonfish. Maria will join us after supporting US legend Kamasi Washington during his April tour of Italy, and an appearance at Manchester Jazz Festival.

https://youtu.be/nDe5_CD8iHA?si=oSm0C9d1v0wWgaLe

Two distinct, innovative and complementary voices at the keyboard from the forefront of UK and European jazz and improvised music; contemporary yet approachable, they combine a simpatico melodic approach with subtle complexity and deeply felt grooves.

Part of a brand new and wide-ranging event, Keystones Piano Festival, 2 gigs featuring 5 pianists, and a Steinway D Grand Piano in the atmospheric Samuel Worth Chapel.

In collaboration with the Samuel Worth Chapel, Music in the Round, and Sheffield University we present a concert in three parts, with solo sets from two wonderful pianists, Robert Mitchell and Laura Cole, and Sheffield-based ambient improvising duo whale detective, featuring Hannah Brady on clarinets and Jez Matthews on piano.

Award-winning pianist pianist, keyboard player, composer, songwriter, festival curator, poet, and author Robert Mitchell dazzled us all in his recent sell-out performance at The Lescar with The Flame trio. We're delighted to welcome him back so quickly.

Robert has recorded 14 albums, published 3 poetry collections and participated in over 100 projects as a sideman, as well as performing in more than 40 countries. A brilliant pianist, composer and innovator, he is also festival creator and curator and a highly respected educator.

A leader of several acclaimed bands including TRUE THINK, Little Black Book, Epiphany3 and the Flame, he is also a piano Professor at Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Mentor/Task Force Member at Black Lives In Music, YMM teacher, Steinway Artist and recently taught/returned to the Paris Conservatoire and Pole Sup.

This performance will comprise originals, covers, improv, left hand only, poetry, drone work, inside piano and more!

Here's some music, from a recent performance at the Verdict Jazz Club in Brighton: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1409099873362983

"Robert Mitchell is one of Britain's finest and most versatile pianist-composer-improvisors" The Wire Magazine

"There are two poems by Mr. Mitchell included in the liner notes, both of which show him to be a wonderfully thoughtful, articulate and probing poet of the highest order." Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG NYC

Leeds-based pianist, composer and writer Laura Cole is a thoughtful, creative presence on the UK music scene. A pianist, composer and writer, she has visited The Lescar previously with her wonderful dynamic octet Metamorphic, with whom she recorded three albums, as well as in bands led by Corey Mwamba, Martin Archer, and Johnny Hunter. Other collaborations include with Martin Archer/Julie Tippetts, Faye MacCalman, Lara Jones, Keith Jafrate's group Orfeo 5, Seth Bennett.

Laura's beautiful and very personal solo piano album 'Enough' was released on Sheffield label Discus in 2018, and a string quartet commission featuring her arrangements of saxophonist Ron Caines pieces - in conjunction with her solo piano arrangements of Caines' music is due for release on the Discus label in 2025.

For this performance she'll be presenting her original compositions mixing piano and poetry; fluid and resonant, intense and multi-layered.

"Cole ought to be celebrated as one of the greats of British improvised music after this release. Always fiercely true to herself and her conception" Seth Bennett

Here's some wonderful music by Laura, taken from a double bill gig with another great pianist Alexander Hawkins at Wakefield Jazz: https://youtu.be/nvSFp-37bKQ?si=9FzHMKqdfL9MEdSG&t=26

whale detective is the culmination of a 20+ year long collaboration between Jez Matthews (piano/electronics) and clarinet/sax player Hannah Brady. Together they've developed a shared understanding and language, enabling musical conversations to develop easily, layering improvisation with elegiac melodies, natural sounds like bird song, and electronic textures that veer from the delicate and beautiful to the intense.

Their first recording as a duo was released in 2022, listen here: https://whaledetective.bandcamp.com/album/whale-detective

They've played at venues including The Lescar, Hatch, and Refujazz festival in Leeds, as well as supporting Swiss-UK jazz sextet Moonmot, anti-choir Juxtavoices, and collaborating with harp/drums/electronics duo balo to form an improvising quartet, baleine.

"The musical chemistry between Hannah and Jez is undeniable and, with the aid of atmospheric electronics, their improvisations mesmerise." Now Then Magazine

A unique double bill and beautiful creative new music from four wonderful Northern-based artists.

Garner/Hunter/Pope
Spontaneous, playful and multi-textured music and a unique line up of three acclaimed and wonderful improvisers. We're delighted to welcome back John Pope (bass), John Garner (violin, jinashi shakuhachi) and Anton Hunter (guitar). Quietly explorative, their original music unfolds in fascinating, dynamic and engaging ways, with the sound of the shakuhachi flute bringing a meditative quality, contrasting with moments of joyous and energetic improvisation. They draw on jazz, deep listening practice and a playful attitude towards genre and the proscribed roles of stringed instruments in modern music, occasionally revealing unexpectedly familiar melodies. Bass player John Pope is one of the most exciting improvisers on the UK jazz scene, playing at The Lescar most recently in his duo with John Garner, and also in a fabulous trio with US-based saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock and drummer Johnny Hunter, as well as with his own glorious and acclaimed quintet, with award-winning trio Archipelago and with US sax legend Michael Moore. A vibrant and inspirational musician who brings so much to every performance, John has appeared at festivals and venues including London Jazz Festival, Lancaster Jazz Festival, Manchester Jazz Festival, TUSK and Gateshead International Jazz Festival, the Bimhuis in Amsterdam. Violinist John Garner is one of the most original and unusual voices to emerge in recent years, combining immaculate technique with a fearless musicality and free-wheeling improvisational aesthetic, John has toured and worked internationally with artists and groups as diverse as Chris Potter, guitarist John Williams, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Kate Williams' Four Plus Three, and Jim Rattigan's Triplicity and Riot Ensemble. On guitar Anton Hunter is perhaps best known for his part in the acclaimed Beats & Pieces Big Band and Sloth Racket. His expanded Article XI line-up (in a double bill with Cath Roberts' Favourite Animals) was one of our most incredible gigs. A quietly creative force on the Northern and UK jazz and improvised music scenes.

Juliana Day
Forming the other half of this double bill, we're delighted to welcome Juliana Day to The Lescar. Her music mixes recorders, voice, field recordings and live electronics, generating hypnotic, meditative and utterly beautiful looped melodies and textures. Emerging from the particularly creative Sheffield music scene, Juliana has been making an impact more widely, most recently with an appearance at Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music, who commissioned her debut solo album, and as a lead member of improvising minimalist ensemble Emergence Collective. Described as "utterly, soul wrenchingly beautiful" (Joyzine), her music takes influence from artists such as Tim Hecker, Kali Malone, Steve Reich, Ichiko Aoba, William Basinski and Pauline Oliveros.

"Fascinating and contemplative." Jazzwise

"haunting and comforting at the same time" - CAMP radio, Panurus Presents

"that was a real journey wasn't it? The deft use of echo there to create this sinuous texture of sound. That was absolutely beautiful" - Corey Mwamba. BBC Radio 3

Singer, pianist and composer Vidya-Liselotte Sundberg brings a wonderful all star quartet of acclaimed musicians to The Lescar featuring guitarist Rob Luft, Mirko Scarcia on bass, and Corrie Dick on drums.

A playful and strongly intuitive musician, Vidya's music is a compelling and energising blend of jazz, pop, and improvisation, with music that brings space with a pulsating sense of in the moment freedom, and with compositions full of sincere and beautiful melodies.

"The music transcends completely offering a harmonious blend of her delicate yet powerful voice" Jazz in Japan

Here's some music:

https://youtu.be/MX54LaMYHVM?si=uZD-0hY_tEGpa8Xt

Vidya was born in Pune in India, and grew up in Gävle, Sweden. Her latest album 'The Papillon' released in (2022) was much praised and nominated for the Manifest Prize, the independent version of the Swedish Grammys.

Award-winning Rob Luft is one of the most acclaimed and distinctive musicians of his generation. Compared to the likes of John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola & Paco De Lucia, and a multi-award winner, Rob has recorded on ECM records with vocalist Elina Duni and UK legend John Surman, as well as recording his own albums with Edition Records.

Mirko Scarcia last appeared at The Lescar with the Rob Luft Quartet, an award winning and accomplished bassist originally from Italy, he has played with artists including Steve Grossman, Ronnie Cuber, Jesse Davis, Jerry Bergonzi, Paolo Fresu, Gregory Hutchinson and many more.

Corrie Dick (Dinosaur, Elliot Galvin Trio, Norman&Corrie, Rob Luft) is simply one of the UK's most inspirational and exciting drummers, his music embodies a sense of joy, abandon, and freedom, combined with a dynamic and open-minded approach that draws on influences from Celtic folk music, contemporary jazz, and African rhythms.

From the vibrant and exciting Birmingham jazz scene, we present Glowseeker, a fusion trio drawing influence from R&B, Jazz-Funk, Hip-Hop and Popular Brazilian Music, and featuring David Austin Grey (keys, synths, electronics, piano), Josh Vadiveloo (electric bass), and Matt Holmes (drums/percussion).

Glowseeker playfully mix multiple genres with wilful disobedience, all whilst holding the spirit of improvisation close to their hearts; a heady blend of deep grooves, sparkling synths and infectious drum beats.

For this gig they'll be presenting music from their latest project 'Alto Vuelo'; a joyful exploration of Cuban music and the songs of the legendary Cuban singer Ibrahim Ferrer.

David Austin Grey (keys, synths, electronics, piano) is a wonderful creative musician who has brought so many inspiring bands to Sheffield over the years. He has worked with artists including Birmingham Royal Ballet, Courtney Pine, Eliza Shaddad, Soweto Kinch, Xhosa Cole, and Snarky Puppy, as well as performing at venues and festivals across the UK including Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival, Manchester International Jazz Festival, and Glasgow International Jazz Festival.

Josh Vadiveloo (electric bass) is one of the most exciting bass players to have emerged recently on the UK scene, an exciting yet thoughtful and creative presence, he plays with the likes of Xhosa Cole, David Austin Grey, Julien Durand's Dreamscapes, and Jean Toussaint.

Originally from South Yorkshire, Matt Holmes (drums/percussion), has performed at venues including The Barbican Hall, Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, Pizza Express Soho, The Southbank Centre and Cafe OTO, as well as festivals across Europe including Gent, Tampere Jazz Happening, Sienna, and Northside Festival (Denmark), Paris and Cork, and with artists including Hermeto Pascoal, Brian Jackson, Soweto Kinch and Alina Bzhezhinska.

A really beautiful line-up in the classic jazz piano trio format, led by drummer/percussionist/vibes player Martin Pyne, with pianist David Beebee and bassist Marianne Windham, and we're honoured that they've chosen to celebrate the launch of their second album together, 'Furrow' (on Sheffield's own Discus Music label) at The Lescar. It's truly wonderful music, mixing lyrical and atmospheric tunes with grooves and unexpected turns.

A fluid and creative improviser, Martin Pyne's solo album "Spirits Of Absent Dancers" was named in the Guardian as one of the best albums of 2020. His work is wide-ranging, covering jazz, free improvisation, contemporary dance, and as a silent film accompanist. You may have caught him at The Lescar previously with the wonderful Hi Res Heart quartet and with Espial.

"In terms of percussion improvisation, try to imagine something that runs from the Zen sound-painting of Frank Perry to the light swing of Billy Higgins. There's nothing loud, nothing showy, nothing esoteric. Just a delight in the deft touch of a stick, a mallet, a finger or a wire brush on metal, skin or wood, and in the process of transforming sound into a sense of movement." Richard Williams - The Blue Moment

Marianne Windham is a distinctive presence on bass, performing with many of the leading names on the UK jazz scene and playing regularly at festivals and jazz clubs across the UK. Most recently she has been touring with The Jazz Samba Project alongside guitarist Nigel Price, including a performance to a packed Ronnie Scotts Club.

"A valuable player with Ray Brown-like musicality and drive" - Jazzwise

Pianist, bass player and composer David Beebee has worked with Gareth Lockrane, and Loose Tubes sax player Julian Costello, as well as his own piano trio which features Eric Ford on drums and electric bass player Dave Jones.

"Beebee is brilliant... his scores are world class. It is always exciting to come across a major new talent" Jazzwise

We're delighted to welcome back to The Lescar vocalist Becca Wilkins, on the final stop of her UK-wide album release tour.

Rêverie presents the French Chanson made popular by Jacques Brel and Edith Piaf through the lens of contemporary jazz, including classics such as 'La Bohème' and 'La Mer'; a perfect canvas for Becca's wonderful skills as a song interpreter and improviser, and music that is both brooding and mysterious; vulnerable and atmospheric.

Becca is joined by long-time collaborators and some of the finest emerging musicians on the UK and European contemporary jazz scene: Olly Chalk (piano/synths), Sam Ingvorsen (bass), and Billy Pod (drums).

Rêverie is a chance to experience Becca's 'other worldliness' (Jazzwise Magazine) in a heady collection of rhapsodic Franco-nostalgia. Don't miss this brilliant quartet.

Here's some music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKYFCmidM7c&list=PL32SLWlRrWvijI9e7fNKcSxM74m2I5ChZ

Becca Wilkins first visited The Lescar in a really memorable duo with pianist Tom Harris in 2019, and we're so glad she's returning at last. A really distinctive and original vocalist, she has supported Kandace Springs at Cheltenham Jazz Festival, and worked with award-winning composer Olivia Murphy, as well as playing at Symphony Hall Birmingham and the Vortex Jazz club in London.

Olly Chalk (piano/synths) is a fearless and energising new voice in contemporary jazz and improvised music. With us last August with Dornbusch/Chalk/Glaser, his last album featured acclaimed US saxophonist John O'Gallagher who has hailed Olly as a 'a virtuoso pianist with a compelling and unique musical vision'.

Sam Ingvorsen (bass) visited the Lescar previously in a fiery quartet led by saxophonist Josh Schofield, a dynamic and focused musician, he's also a regular member Olly Chalk's trio, performing regularly at venues including the Vortex in London, and we're delighted to welcome him back.

Drummer Billy Pod has worked internationally across Europe, the US and Asia, recording more than 20 albums including with award winning saxophonist Tivon Pennicott, acclaimed NYC vocalist JD Walter, and Greek music legend Dionisis Savopoulos. Relocating to the UK in 2020, has has worked with the likes of Jim Mullen, Rob Luft, Dave O'Higgins, Mornington Lockett, Vasilis Xenopoulos, and many others. His second official album 'Quintessence' featured Tom Ollendorff on guitar.