Russell van den Berg
Daren Altman
Jez Franks
Jon Harvey
Influences
RECENT REVIEWSThe Guardian, John Fordham:
Classy contemporary jazz with a personal stamp From Peter Erskine:
The band Centre-Line is a group that deserves to be heard. I am very impressed by the writing and musicianship as evidenced on their new CD recordingFrom Tim Garland: This band sounds like a unit. Aggressive but playful, this is the language of jazz, but not at the expense of sponteneity.
Jazzwise Magazine UK:
Heading up the pack of fast maturing London-based bands that are turning their extensive schooling and high-level real world professionalism into their own ensembles, quintet Centre Line have been gaining huge respect over months of steady gigging. Co-led by ex-NYJO drummer Darren Altman and multi-award winning saxophonist Russell Van Den Berg – Altman’s rhythmic bite perfectly complimenting Berg’s harmonic bark – there’s talent more to spare in the shape of guitarist de jour Mike Outram, great bassist Tom Mason and superb pianist Simon Colam all propelling this hugely confident group forward. Balanced by the wonderfully grooving rhythm section, it’s Outram’s chomping guitar and Berg’s explosive chops that maintain a sense of drama and surprise through every twisting bar, this is a band to watch.
The Vortex Jazz Club London, UK:
As the providers of the first gig I'd been able to go to for some time (a kidney stone, then a month in Cornwall swiftly followed by a detached retina; thanks for asking), Centre Line (Wednesday, 3 October) were perfect: sparked by Darren Altman's vibrant drumming and powered by the swagger and pleasing bluster of Russell van den Berg's tenor, they bustled through a number of the saxophonist's rousing but cogent themes, after playing themselves in with an absorbing visit to an intelligently rejigged 'Softly, as a Morning Sunrise'.
Van den Berg is justly lauded as an ear-catching soloist in the tumultuous, multi-note Brecker mode, but in guitarist Jez Franks and pianist Simon Colam the band have a couple of fine foils to him, each building his solos carefully from ruminative beginnings, but always climaxing satisfactorily. With Nick Pinni's bass driving the band alongside the powerhouse drumming of Altman, and a predeliction for the odd piece of free playing, Centre Line always deliver.
Below is the Centre-Line media player, where you can check out video samples of the band. Enjoy! GLP JAZZ
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Centre-Line are a fresh, vibrant and creative jazz group based in London that prides itself on the spontaneity, creativity and empathy among its musicians.
The group is directed by Darren Altman (drums) and Russell van den Berg (sax) and as a collective, its members enthuse to maintain its essential core sound. The individual members are busy gigging on the UK Jazz scene as well as playing internationally and have played with artists including Robin Eubanks, Trilok Gurtu, Jason Rebello, Michael Cain, Marty Ehrlich, Tim Garland, Gerard Presencer, Stan Sulzmann, Kenny Wheeler, Laydysmith Black Mambazo, BBC Radio Big Band, the Rob McConnell Big Band, Carla Bley, The London Jazz Orchestra, George Martin and many more recording artists.
Centre-Line's repertoire including original compositions shows an empathy among the musicians which is truly exciting. No two gigs are the same, as the musicians have a mutual understanding about the freedom, expression and spontaneity that jazz offers: the group simply open their ears and play! As a consequence, Centre-Line is a new, vibrant, fresh sounding contemporary jazz group that will deliver exciting, creative, organic music to audiences around the world. For enquiries and availability, please message us through myspace or email us here.You can now buy individual tracks from Centre-Line at
just click on the iTunes button!!
Centre-Line on The Jazz
Hey, just to let you know we have uploaded tracks from Ali's new solo album Flying High to his myspace, come by and let us know what you think or if you want to pre order you can get it on his myspace page.
Ali will be on tour in the UK from June 19th – July 4th come and see him and his new band live – they are tearing it up, round the country with a great party vibe!
Hi Darren - nice to hear from you. Yes it'd be nice to see another Centre-line gig, especially as one of my favourite guitarists often plays with you. That Franks bloke's not bad either! I'd also like to take this opportunity to invite you to a 'Compassionate Dictatorship' rally -they'll be taking place up and down the country from October! We've put a link to Centre-Line on our website. See you soon x
Thanks so much for your message, really glad you like it. Yes, it's all my compositions and arrangements (and me singing, where you can hear it!) Would be well up for doing some stuff together, get in touch if you want to. I'm loving the music on here. btw, who am I speaking to, is this Russell or Darren?!
Hi there Centre-Line. You wish your drums were as good as ours. Kneel and pray at the altar of Dr. Synth - Rhythm Machine, jazz girl. XXX Ps, you have the fake Banzai Buddy Band in your friends, we are the original and the best and our guitarist would kill yours.
GLP JAZZ
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