A one-stop guide to our festive edition of Free Jazz

We may be approaching Christmas, but that needn’t mean jazz music grinds to a halt. For instance, check out the new ill considered project, An Ill Considered Christmas album in which the London-based quartet rework classic compositions like We three kings of orient are and Noel Noel into glorious contemporary jazz grooves! If you’re feeling the festive flavour, then you’ll want to head down to Band on the Wall on 27th December for a festive edition of Free Jazz, where we have not one but two trios of wise men, the shepherd of Nottingham’s Running Circle flock and an artist with a quite angelic voice, all taking the stage. Keen to find out more? We’ve got you covered…

No-Arm

Comprising half of Plume (drummer Joe Luckin and bassist Andy Patterson) and trumpeter Jack Tinker, No-Arm craft free-flowing, streamlined yet anarchic contemporary jazz, that sits somewhere between the music of Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention and BLIXT. The group have supported Flightless Birds and played a blistering show at BRUME not so long ago. You can check out their performance of Weasel Soup for the Sessions of March below and check out their Greatest Hits 2017-17 EP here.

Pete Beardsworth

An accomplished tenor saxophonist, keys player and producer, Pete Beardsworth has been involved in both of Yazmin Lacey’s critically acclaimed EPs and recently released a debut set of his own: the warm and introspective Pour un homme seul. His vision as a writer and arranger sees him bring Ling Peng’s Erhu into the EP’s arrangements — just one of the many ways his record is distinguishable amongst the jazz-infused contemporary R&B releases of this year. A cool individual with a calm temperament, Pete has overcome tough times and with the Running Circle collective is helping to steer a bubbling Nottingham scene. He recently opened for Jean Toussaint at Jazz Cafe and is ready to take you ‘to the place’ with his Manchester debut.

Svarctrio

Experimental jazz guitarist Nik Svarc plays in numerous outfits, but it’s with SvarcTrio that his power, subtlety and tone shine. Ordinarily playing with drummer Dave Walsh alongside he and bassist Garry Jackson – he welcomes Luke Flowers (drummer with The Breath, Cinematic Orchestra and previously, Bill Laurance’s touring drummer) into the fold for this set.  

Marco Woolf

You may’ve seen him opening for Vieux Farka Toure earlier this year, but if not, Marco Woolf is a singer and songwriter to familiarise yourself with. His pure, gentle voice and subtle guitar work are well suited to both solo performance and small ensemble shows, both of which he has done in recent years. His debut EP, three years in the making, is available to stream and purchase here and his Reform Radio session, which captures his artistic qualities perfectly, is available below.