The TG Collective was born in September 2006, bringing together a spirited brew of young, Birmingham-based musicians.
TGC was founded by Jamie Fekete and Sam Slater - two of the three guitars of Trio Gitano, whose debut album Who Ate All The Tapas? surprised everyone, finishing 2005 at No.4 in the Sunday Times' Records of The Year.
"Stylish, very stylish" ... - THE TIMES ****
"A triumph..." - THE SUNDAY TIMES ****
"Bold, expressive playing that's liberatingly inventive..." - SONGLINES ****
"As refreshing as it is infectious..." - JAZZWISE ***
"A sashaying energy ... with a dazzling dynamic..." - THE METRO *****
Moving through flamenco, jazz, gypsy, hotclub and contemporary classical influences, the group is centered around the two acoustic guitars of Jamie and Sam, set alongside a core of Percy Pursglove on double bass, cajon and trumpet; Holly Jones on flute and alto flute, and Louis Robinson on violin. TGC also feature eminent flamenco dancer and choreographer Ana Garcia, and world percussionist/cajon player Tom Chapman, with new and interchanging shapes and sizes of ensemble within a performance.
Touching on the influences and new arrangements of works by such luminaries as Paco de Lucia, Django Reinhardt and Horace Silver, the Collective also perform self-penned compositions and arrangements, and music by longstanding TG Guru Bryan Lester.
Towards the end of 2007, the group sold out Birmingham's Glee Club for their first performance collaboration with Ana Garcia, and followed with a spring sell-out at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival. After performances in Cannes and Barcelona, Summer/Autumn 2008 saw TGC set off on their UK Tour, receiving a series of wonderful audience reactions, taking in venues from Devon to Yorkshire, including Belfast’s Open House Festival, the South Bank Centre, London, and festivals at Shambala, Tewkesbury and Wirksworth.
Summer 2009 finds the group recording new compositions, arrangements and material for their keenly awaited new album, to be released later this year, whilst touring the UK again this coming Autumn. Another successful Spring Tour featured performances at The Stables, Bristol St Georges, a return to the Cheltenham Jazz Festival and further in Ireland. TGC are also completing work on a new suite of music by composer Bryan Lester, featuring strong rhythmic influences from North Indian classical music.
We also quite enjoyed this clip of card-playing, Mr Grapelli's eyebrows, Mr Reinhardt and smoky friends ...
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Ray butcher/ Freddie Pirotta band: at the Spice of Life, thursday, august 6th £10/£8 8 pm
featuring: Esther Bennett (vox), Freddie Pirotta (piano), David Moses (bass), Pete Hammond (kit) and Simeon Murray (sax) and Paul Pace (vox)
Freddie Pirotta: Piano: a true london great, although he was born in Malta, like Ray, of Maltese origin. He has played jazz piano with some of the greatest in london, including in a tour of Malta with his own little big band, studied with Howard Riley at Goldsmiths college. recent project 'Sweet Thunder' released by 33 records.
Ray Butcher: trumpet: has his own cd 'War on the Saints' which is about to be released (Possibly on R'M'B records), all with original music. Plays around birmingham a great deal, and sometimes internationally. Has played alongside Robert Plant, BB King, Princess Diana, Mica Paris, Scott Matthews, Andy Abrahams and many jazz luminaries such as Jean Toussaint and Julian Siegal. 'Fluent and Powerful'- Steve Rubie (606 club) 'Bad' -Mica Paris
ESTHER BENNETT: Vocals originally playing alto saxophone before turning to voice, Esther has been performing on the London Jazz scene for over a decade. Performing regularly at the 606 Jazz Club, The Vortex jazz Club, The Spice of Life and more recently at The Front Room at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer - her inate sense of musicality gleened from her earlier saxophone playing and study of the jazz idiom, informs a voice that has individuality, originality and flair. Her latest CD "Just in Time" (now available on Jazzcds) was produced by BBC Jazz Vocalist of the year Ian Shaw.
"Vocalist Esther Bennett's many virtues include an incredibly seductive vibrato......a smokily appealing lower register and a winning sense of humour" Jazzwise Magazine
Hi TG people...please join us for our DEBUT GIG on 12th June at The Cross, Moseley, Birmingham. From 8pm. Only £6 on the door with support from Jack McNeill and Charlie Heys.
Heaven help us...nooooooooooo! Saying that Dowie is being mentioned, and so too John Gregory. It can't get much worse... Good luck to Aidy BTW, he was a football genius once you know..
in club owner Steve Rubie's own words: ''Ray is an excellent Birmingham-based trumpet player and NYJO alumni whose extensive experience includes work with the likes of Soweto Kinch, Jean Toussaint, Tony Levin, Julian Siegel, and renowned soul singer Mica Paris. A highly professional as well as creative player Ray has 'paid his dues' touring extensively with various high profile artists and is now generally regarded as an important figure on the Birmingham Jazz scene. He actually 'sat in' with my band "Samara" here at the Club on New Year's Eve and I was so impressed with his fluent and powerful playing that I offered him a date with his own quintet. The music is an attractive mix of Jazz standards and some originals and is well worth catching. And you don't have to go to Birmingham to hear it!'' £8-coaches run all night! Just call National Express on +44 (0) 08717 818181 nearest tube is Fulham Broadway, take the southbound district line. HOPE 2 C U THERE!!!!!!
Hello! The Old Dance School here. Just stopping by to thank you for your friendship and to let you know about our lovely, brand new website and our debut studio album Based On A True Story. It's just been released and is available right now - stop by theolddanceschool. com to pick up your copy, hear preview tracks and much more.
"...If you haven't heard how great they are yet, you will. "
- Joe Broughton [The Albion Band, Folk Ensemble, Dempsey/Broughton, Feast of Fiddles]
Indeed it is Sammy boy, indeed it is. Fact is we have been shocking since November, and still in playoffs. You boys are up mind, and probably deserve it. Speak soon,
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