I have two upcoming solo piano gigs, both of which will feature the mixture of early piano jazz, avant garde jazz and points in-between that characterized my recent solo piano album Friendly Ghosts (Efpi 2017).

The first is on Friday November 2nd, 19.00 – 21.00 in Manchester at the Cross Street Unitarian chapel, Cross Street, Manchester M2 1WL. I’m on a double bill with the wonderful Canadian pianist Francois Bourassa and his quartet. The piano at the chapel is lovely, and the evening promises to be a great one. I’m going to do a piece on Indian harmonium too, to mark my forthcoming EP on Efpi Records (the EP is of me playing Dulcitone, accordion, toy piano and harmonium. Further details to be announced!). Here’s a link to the Facebook event page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/450229622151533/

The second is a big one; I’m sharing a concert with Ethan Iverson and Alex Hawkins as part of Ethan’s London Jazz Festival residency at King’s Place. We’ll be exploring early British jazz and syncopated music as well as our take on later developments. I’m learning some Billy Mayerl and working on a Ray Noble tune, among other things. Can’t wait! Ethan and Alex are among the most interesting jazz pianists around at the moment, so it’s set to be a hugely enjoyable afternoon. Here’s a page with details:

https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/jazz/ethan-iverson-residency-ethans-last-rent-party/

Hope to see you at one of those!

I am looking forward to playing on 3 gigs at this year’s Manchester Jazz Festival:

21st July: A solo gig at St Ann’s Church, 14.50, FREE.

Part of the Northern Line showcase. I’ll  be doing half of it on the church’s wonderful grand piano, and half on my prepared mechanical keyboards, including a Hohner Pianet, a toy piano and a 100-year old Dulcitone.

22nd July: The Imaginary Delta with Jackie Kay, RNCM Theatre, 20.00, £17.50.

A collaboration between my project The Imaginary Delta and acclaimed poet Jackie Kay. This is the text from the MJF website:

Jackie Kay / narrator, poetry
Adam Fairhall / piano, composer
Steve Chadwick / trumpet
James Allsopp / clarinet, tenor saxophone
Chris Bridges / trombone, jug
Paul J Rogers / laptop, turntable, diddley bow
Tim Fairhall / double bass
Gaz Hughes / drums

Originally commissioned from Adam by mjf in 2011, this riotous re-imagining of early jazz forms via a mixture of old and new idioms, acoustic instruments new technologies is paired up with readings from one of Manchester’s best-loved poets.

Samples from vintage recordings are used to invoke the past in a soundworld that is playful, haunting and often downright unruly.  They include those of Bessie Smith, who also provides the inspiration for Jackie Kay’s work of the same name, in which the author boards a Pullman with the great blues singer to journey across Tennessee.

Tonight’s performance brings together these two masterpieces and also premières new collaborative work created especially for the occasion.

“A stunning achievement” – Bird is the Worm, Album of the Year

Can’t wait!!

23rd July: Nat Birchall Quintet, Band on the Wall, 19.30, £10 (a) £12 (d).

Nat’s music is intense, lyrical and soul-warming. I feel privileged to be in his band. Our latest album, Live in Larissa, has received 4 and  5 star reviews all over the place. Come down  to BotW and hear what the fuss is about!

On 22nd February 2013 The Imaginary Delta will be performing at the Forge in Camden, a wonderful venue. This is a rare London appearance for the project, and we hope very much to get a sizeable audience, and make the night a real event. Please spread the word!

Below is a link to the event page on the Forge’s website, with details of tickets, times, etc

http://www.forgevenue.org/whats-on/eventdetails/22-feb-13-pianoled-jazz-the-forge/