Just announced: Nat Birchall Sextet, 29th January.

Hailed by Gilles Peterson as “one of the best musicians in the UK”, saxophonist Nat Birchall remains one of the UK’s hidden jazz treasures. Playing tenor and soprano saxophones, he is a band leader, composer and arranger (and occasional DJ) who has grabbed listeners attention with his soulful sound and inspirational spiritual music. His latest release, ‘Live in Larissa’ won over critics, and was voted ‘album of the year’ by UK Vibe, as well as topping the best jazz/improv albums list in Wire Magazine.

Having been recording last year, the group now expanded to a Sextet has a more textured sound, and will be playing new compositions from a forthcoming release here at Band on the Wall. Here’s a video of the group as a Quintet, playing “Sacred Dimension” from the 2011 album of the same name.