May 2019

5th Helen Burnett

Helen Burnett is a Cambridge-bred, London-based vocalist. After studying at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama she released her debut album “When First I Saw You There” which received airplay on the BBC and Jazz FM. As a member of the London Vocal Project Helen has performed with Bobby McFerrin, Norma Winstone and Kenny Wheeler.  Helen’s broad vocal range allows her to bring a fresh and expressive approach to classic American songbook repertoire peppered with material from modern songbook masters such as Tom Waits, John Martyn and Leonard Cohen.

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12th Artie and Jake Zaitz

This first class affair is run by the electric duplet of well refined guitar marvels. Blood relatives of polish heritage join forces here to present a unique take on a jazz song book, exploring carefully selected familiar and obscure works. Their combined musical authority stretches across a wealth of influences. Jake’s nearly two decades as Dana Gillespie’s guitar supremo with many miles travelled around the world and a long list of recordings including their latest cowritten and co-produced collaboration (“I Rest My Case” and “Cart’s Meow”on Ace Records). Honed his flair sharing stages and recording with top crop of the music world, Joe Louis Walker, Billy Branch, Mick Jagger, Earl Green, Larry Garner, Pee Wee Ellis, Zach Prather, Big Joe Louis and Big Joe Turner to name but a few. Artie is a bit of a “wonder”, a recipient of a scholarship at Trinity College of Music in his mid-twenties he’s already established a stronghold on a local jazz and blues scene. Equally at home on stage and in the recording studio (Moses Boyd Exodus, Jordan Rakei, Mark Kavuma, Georgia Van Etten and Tomorrows Warriors), performing with various line ups across UK and Europe.

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19th Alice Williamson

Alice Mary Jelaska is a popular clarinettist, vocalist, band leader and composer in London’s gypsy jazz, folk and world scenes. Her virtuosic clarinet playing has a deep, feisty and Balkan edge reflecting her Croatian roots and gypsy influences – and her vocals, described as ‘serene’, ‘pure’ and ‘water-like’, add a delicate contrast to her performances.

She owes her ethereal and nostalgic influences to her background in vintage and folk music, having led gypsy swing band The Kings Cross Hot Club for over 5 years, as well as leading and being invited to work with several world and contemporary folk projects. She has collaborated with musicians from all over, from Turkey to Congo, Senegal to Argentina, Scotland to India – performing at prestigious UK events and venues including Secret Garden Party, Southbank Centre, Royal Albert Hall, Victoria & Albert Museum, Hyde Park, Kensington Palace Orangerie; and abroad in France, Italy Switzerland, Turkey, Germany, Los Angeles. As a recording artist she has also worked as a session musician for BBC Television.

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26th Dunajska Kapelye

The band draws its influences from everywhere the Danube flows (hence the name, which translates as “the Danube Band”) and from wherever their fancy takes them – Romania, former Yugoslavia, deepest Russia, Ottoman Europe, the Jewish Shtetl, Django Reindhardt’s Belgium and Edith Piaf’s Paris. In particular, they are indebted to the Roma people (commonly called “Gypsies”) whose music is a testament to the range and depth of the human soul.

Led by Piotr Jordan‘s many-hued and ever-virtuosic violin playing, the band’s approach is truly authentic; there are no fancy arrangements, nor is there a sense of stylistic reverence that many other bands who play in this genre aspire towards

APRIL 2019

7th Marcina Arnold

Hugely talented and extremely versatile, Marcina has gained respect of fellow musicians for her fresh and innovative approach. Blessed with a beautiful and highly distinctive singing voice, she is an accomplished percussionist, also playing piano and guitar and a distinctive songwriter/composer.