Concert Season Celebrates Alumni Stars

Leeds College of Music’s forthcoming Concert Season will celebrate some of the College’s most talented former students performing across jazz, world and contemporary music. The Alumni Star Series will feature a Mercury Music nominated band described as ‘the future of jazz’, an international collective reinventing the sound of Indian music, a trombone player who has played with everyone from Joni Mitchell to Jamiroquai, and a new ensemble put together to pay tribute to the record label that in the 1960s and early 70s embraced the period of 'soul jazz'. Buy tickets for any three concerts in the Alumni Star Series and get a fourth Alumni Star Series concert for free! The Alumni Star Series launches in January with a concert by Trichotomy, Australia’s most inventive contemporary music ensemble, in support of their new album released on the acclaimed NAIM record label. The group’s sound is driven by multi-award winning pianist and alumnus Sean Foran, who is one of Australia’s most garlanded songwriters and composers. March sees Centre-Line take to The Venue stage; a vibrant and creative jazz group, Centre-Line features multi-award winning saxophonist Russell van den Berg, ex-NYJO drummer Darren Altman and guitarist Jez Franks. Also that month, A Tribute to Atlantic Jazz - a new ensemble put together by saxophonists and alumni James Russell (pictured) and Jim Corry - pays tribute to the record label that in the 1960s and early 70s embraced the period of 'soul jazz', and with it a new generation of jazz musicians emerging at this time. A particular highlight for fans of a more experimental sound is Barclaycard/Mercury Music nominated Led Bib, a band formed in 2003 by drummer/composer and alumnus Mark Holub. One of the torch bearers for the revitalized young British jazz scene, Led Bib has been described as ‘the future of jazz’ by The Times. Following in the series is critically acclaimed Norwegian saxophonist Frøy Aagre, whose group features some of the finest young musicians on the Norwegian jazz scene, including alumnus Audun Ellingsen on bass. Samay – featuring three College alumni; Jesse Bannister, the leading Indian classical saxophonist in the UK, tabla player Bhupinder Chaggar, and Italian born guitarist Giuliano Modarelli – return to The Venue in May, an eagerly awaited return following their sold out appearance at the College during the fuseleeds festival in 2009. Rounding off the Alumni Star Series, the Leeds College of Music Big Band is joined by alumnus and session musician extraordinaire Pete Beachill on trombone for an evening of classic big band jazz. The band will perform a range of big band numbers from stars such as Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich and Gordon Goodwin. Most recently, Pete has performed on the Number 1 album from Mumford & Sons. Buy tickets for any three concerts in our Alumni Star Series and get a fourth concert free. Box Office 0113 222 3434. Trichotomy Tuesday 26 January 2010 The Venue, 7.30pm, £9/£7 Centre-Line Wednesday 10 March 2010 The Venue, 7.30pm, £9/£7 A Tribute to Atlantic Jazz Wednesday 24 March 2010 The Venue, 7.30pm, £9/£7 Led Bib Wednesday 21 April 2010 The Venue, 7.30pm, £9/£7 Frøy Aagre Thursday 29 April 2010 The Venue, 7.30pm, £9/£7 Samay Friday 7 May 2010 The Venue, 7.30pm, £9/£7 Leeds College of Music Big Band with Pete Beachill Thursday 13 May 2010 The Venue, 7.30pm, £9/£7 For more information about the Alumni Star Series contact the Box Office on 0113 222 3434.