Birmingham-based saxophonist and composer Nye Banfield, a musician with a beautiful and expressive sound on his instrument brings a brilliant quartet featuring BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year finalist Nick Manz (piano), Ben Love (double bass), and Jonathan Silk (drums).

Nye's music is lyrical and richly textured with a raw and earthy organic quality, strong melodies and diverse influences from Wayne Shorter, Ambrose Akinmusire, and mentor Mark Lockheart to Ralph Vaughan Williams and the songwriting of Damon Albarn, Thom Yorke and Paul McCartney.

Here's some music: https://youtu.be/9CwKcI9cuJo?si=_VR4uwGGss-c5JHF

On drums, Jonathan Silk is a composer and bandleader based in Birmingham and has released two acclaimed albums with his own big band and string orchestra as well as working with world-renowned composers Vince Mendoza and Maria Schneider and a host of other nationally and internationally renowned musicians. He was awarded BBC Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year in 2014.

Nick Manz (piano) was a finalist in the 2022 BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year competition, a fluent and inspiring soloist, you may have caught him previously at The Lescar performing with US sax player Greg Abate, he has also worked with artists including George Crowley, Jean Toussaint and Trish Clowes.

Ben Love is another fine talent emerging from the vibrant Birmingham jazz scene, a versatile bass player who performs with artists including Sultan Stevenson and Giulia Marro.

Nye's debut, critically acclaimed album 'Trails and Traces' was released in 2022 and also featured Mark Kavuma.

Described by Jazzwise as 'an important emerging voice', with a 'big sound', this is vivid and richly textured music, founded on Nye's beautiful compositions and lyrical improvisation.

Inspirational musicians and band-leaders Miles Pillinger and Fergus Quill bring a 7 piece line up to celebrate the 90th birthday of legendary Brazilian musician and composer, and an inspiration to them both, Hermeto Pascoal.

Nicknamed the sorcerer for his other worldly take on music, Hermeto's music will be played by a stellar line-up of musicians, honouring the legacy of this incredible musician, whilst following in his footsteps and taking the music to another world.

The full powerful and vibrant band features Miles Pillinger (drums), JJ Petrie (percussion), Pablo Barrios (piano), Fergus Quill (percussion), Elliot Whitehouse (bass), Olivia Cuttill (trumpet), Benjy Sandler (flute/ sax).

Miles Pillinger (drums) is an inspiring and dynamic presence who you may have caught at The Lescar in some of our best gigs over the last 2 years, with his own band, Mangorata, in Olivia Cuttill's Quintet, and Lucas Walters band, last November. He made his Ronnie Scotts' debut as a leader last year.

More often seen playing bass, Fergus Quill (percussion) leads some of the most exciting bands on the UK scene right now, including the acclaimed Ferg's Imaginary Big Band, a musician who brings fire and originality to every performance and line-up. You may have also seen him recently co-leading the wonderful Three or Four Shades of Mingus band with Anna Chandler.

Venezuelan pianist Pablo Barrios brings an infectious energy, flair, and a keen sense of innovation. Musical director of the NYJO Latin Collective he's one of the most exciting musicians emerging on the London jazz scene, appearing last November at the EFG London Jazz Festival as well as appearing at Pizza Express as part of the Soho Jazz Festival.

JJ Petrie (percussion) visited us previously in Miles Pillinger's wonderful Mangorata band, and on bass Elliot Whitehouse is another great musician emerging from the London jazz scene.

Award-winning trumpeter Olivia Cuttill, is definitely a musician making an impact on the UK jazz scene, with a sound rich with soul and influences from across the world of jazz and blues, she visited us previously with her own fantastic quintet and in the bands of Miles Pillinger.

Benjy Sandler (flute/sax) is a multi-instrumentalist, member of NYJO and the London Improvisers Orchestra, a musician with a beautiful tone on his instrument who has performed at venues and festivals including the EFG London Jazz Festival and at Cafe OTO.

"A bright new name to watch out for" - Stephen Graham, Marlbank

If you've been to previous gigs at The Lescar by bands led by Miles, Fergus or Olivia, you know you're in for something special on this gig. We absolutely can't wait for this!

Powerful and distinctive US sax legend and Grammy nominee Greg Abate, former lead alto player with the Ray Charles Orchestra is accompanied for this gig by a first class UK rhythm section, led by drummer Andrew Wood.

Greg's recorded history covers the likes of Kenny Barron, Phil Woods, James Williams, Rufus Reid, Kenny Washington, and a string of gigs at festivals and clubs around the world. He's an engaging and fiery performer, but also lyrical and melodic, and his gigs always have an edge of the unexpected.

Making up the quartet for this gig are the Andrew Wood Trio, featuring Matthew Ratcliffe (piano), Martyn Spencer (double bass), and Andrew 'Woody' Wood (drums), a trio who perform across the UK jazz scene, with the likes of Tony Kofi, Dennis Rollins & Alan Barnes as well as performing in Nottingham's Peggy's Skylight Jazz Club House Band. Please join us for the very best swinging music in the classic jazz tradition, one of those unmissable nights in our intimate backroom jazz club!

Here's some music! https://youtu.be/NoTAi22cetY?si=mYI_50Hl5mMM7AdA

"... his fast-moving lines give his work a feeling of constant invention and creativity." - Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune

Rhode Island born, bred and based saxophonist, flautist and composer Greg Abate's career has included playing lead alto for the Ray Charles Orchestra, and as lead tenor for the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra. He has recorded a multitude of solo albums featuring jazz greats including baritone player Gary Smulyan, trumpeter Claudio Roditi, pianist Hilton Ruiz, vocalist Kenny Washington, sax legend Phil Woods and most recently with pianist Kenny Barron, an album which spent 7 weeks at #1 on Jazz Week's chart and landed at #5 for the year.

He has performed at many of the most famous venues around the world, including The Blue Note and Birdland in New York, The Jazz Showcase in Chicago, Le Club in Moscow, Russia, Jazz a'Vienne Jazz Festival and Toulon Jazz Festival in France, The Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland along with several jazz clubs and festivals in England, Ireland, and Canada. His US shows include the legendary Scullers Jazz Club in Boston, Blues Ally in DC, The Newport Jazz Festival, Cape Cod Jazz Fest, and the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.

Greg's quartet for this gig features Andrew 'Woody' Wood, a musician who has performed across Europe at venues ranging from intimate jazz clubs to the Royal Albert Hall, as well as being the house drummer at the wonderful Peggy's Skylight Jazz Club in Nottingham, and performing in Tony Kofi's Tenor Legacy and Inside Straight bands. On double bass, Martyn Spencer, a musician who's impeccable bass playing makes him a first call bass player across the Midlands as well as performing with the likes of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and appearing on the BBC.

Matt Ratcliffe on piano has worked with an array of jazz talent including Nigel Price, Simon Spillet, Dierdre Cartwright, Alan Barnes, Dave O'Higgins, Xhosa Cole, Chris Bowden and many others, as well as at festivals and clubs including London Jazz Festival, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Manchester Jazz Festival, 606 Club Chelsea. An inspiring and swinging pianist.

Uplifting and joyous music combining the rhythms of Africa and vibrant vocal harmonies with a jazz sensibility, and the explosive energy of a live band. Ubunye bring together two powerful vocalists from South Africa's Kwa Zulu Natal region combined with a dynamic rhythm section; unique and goose-bump inducing music from a brilliant 6 piece band.

A vibrant and beautiful mix of styles and cultures, sometimes energetic dance vibes, sometimes gentle and introspective, we're so thrilled to welcome Ubunye to The Lescar. The full band features Nokuthula Zondi (vocals), Xolani Mbatha (vocals), David Evans (keys), Nik Svarc (guitar), Steve Hanley (drums), and Sam Dutton-Taylor (bass).

Here's some music: https://youtu.be/jDr3kLrXkF4?si=CvBCPri-2kYw55y-

Ubunye were awarded UK jazz ensemble of the year at the Parliamentary Jazz awards 2024 and they've appeared to rave reviews at jazz festivals including Manchester, Lancaster, Leeds, and London.

"Ubunye's debut is a fantastic, inspirational and incredible record - a long time in the making but a triumph on every level." UK Vibe

Please do join us for this beautiful and energising music.

"Ubunye blew the roof off. Unique rhythms, passionate singing and fabulous songs, all delivered with soul ... the joy and positivity shone through. Mesmerising" - Neil Hughes, Buxton International Festival

Two contrasting yet complementary improvising duos from the Sheffield jazz and improvised music scenes meet to play individual sets, plus a quartet performance.

not one not two
With music that is both meditative and explorative, focused and intense, Geoff Bright (soprano/bass sax/voice) and Hervé Perez (alto/soprano sax) create an explorative and thoughtful sound-world that unfolds in the moment, exploring all the possibilities from the depth and weight of the bass sax to the upper frequencies of the soprano sax. Their recent release on Sheffield's Discus label 'Openings and Samadhis' has justly received critical praise and we're delighted to bring their strange and wonderful music to The Lescar.

"Openings And Samādis dissolves the line between self and other, between musician and instrument, between noise and silence, offering instead a single, resonant truth: that creation itself is the act of awakening." - Mark Corroto, ALL ABOUT JAZZ

"A mysterious, sensuous, mystical vibe, rather prayer-like" - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery NYC

"a sustained feat of imagination... an absorbing, meaningful experience" - Dominic Rivron, INTERNATIONAL TIMES

Geoff Bright is an improvising musician, live art performer and writer/researcher on improvisation. He has had work installed in New York and France; performed in Tempelhof airport, Berlin, as well as working with Mick Beck, improvising choir Juxtavoices and many other line-ups.

Hervé Perez is a sound artist, improviser (saxophone, shakuhachi, laptop) active in the UK and European free improvisation scenes for 25 years. He has performed with Martin Archer, Peter Fairclough, Mick Beck, Mark Sanders, and many others.

"two voices merging into one timbral breath, yet maintaining their individual contours. The music is both conversation and contemplation." All about Jazz

whale detective
whale detective are Hannah Brady (clarinet/tenor sax) and Jez Matthews (piano/electronics). Their music moves organically through elegiac melodies and electronic textures that veer from the delicate and beautiful to the intense, with a sound that continues to evolve based around a shared understanding and language developed over 20+ years of collaboration.

Individually and as whale detective they've collaborated and performed with Will Shaw, Manon McCoy, Nicola Farnon, Seth Bennett, Johnny Hunter and many others, and have released 4 recordings to date, as whale detective, as one half of baleine, and a collaboration with cellist Nicola Farnon

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

They've also played at venues and festivals including Kelham Jazz Festival Hatch, and Refujazz festival in Leeds, as well as supporting Swiss-UK jazz sextet Moonmot, Juxtavoices, and Mick Beck.