US Pianist/Producer Robert Glasper Headlines Hull Jazz Festival 24th Winter Edition, 15 – 19 November 2016

Multi Grammy Award-winning US Pianist/Producer Robert Glasper headlines the international line-up for Hull Jazz Festival 24^th Winter Edition, performing with his band Robert Glasper Experiment on Friday 18^th November at Hull Truck Theatre.

(Press release)

Glasper, known for his genre-defying collaborations with artists including Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Mos Def and Jay-Z, will be performing tracks from the Experiment’s new Blue Note album, Artscience, ahead of their headline show at London Jazz Festival.

The festival opens at Hull Truck Theatre on Tuesday 15^th November with Grammy-nominated vocalist Stacey Kent. She’ll be performing tracks from her new album Tenderly, a collaboration with renowned Brazilian guitarist-composer-producer Roberto Menescal, one of the founders of bossa nova. This show sees Kent, twice winner of Best Vocalist at the BBC Jazz Awards, returning to the much-loved jazz standards of the Great American Songbook with tracks including The Very Thought of You, In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning and Embraceable You.

 On Thursday 17^th November, vocalist Sarah Jane Morris and guitarist Antonio Forcione come together to perform tracks from their new album Compared to What, the result of a fruitful and varied songwriting collaboration. With comparisons to an impressive array of musical trailblazers, including Tom Waits and Janis Joplin (vocally) and Jimi Hendrix and Django Reinhardt (guitar), Sarah Jane and Antonio are both great artists in their own right and this promises to be a spellbinding performance.

The programme continues on Friday 18^th November when the University of Hull present Phil Robson Organ Trio. The all star band features versatile guitarist and composer Phil Robson, Hammond virtuoso Ross Stanley and powerful drummer Gene Calderazzo. It’s the incredible energy and rapport between these three exceptional musicians that sets this band apart as they bring their own refreshing touch to the organ trio tradition with powerful melodies, heavy grooves and the formidable blend of guitar and Hammond.

On Saturday 19^th November young local jazz talent takes the spotlight as Hull Jazz Festival’s collaboration with Hull Music Hub sees the combined talents of the City of Hull and East Riding Youth Jazz Orchestras take to the Hull Truck stage. The show also sees the Jazz Festival debut of Hull Big Band, featuring 17 of the region’s leading young players.

Saturday’s programme at Hull Truck Theatre continues with Tom Harrison Quintet, the stunning new project from rising star saxophonist Harrison. Joined by internationally-acclaimed vocalist Cleveland Watkiss, the chordless lineup of five unique instrumental personalities will interpret the music of the great Duke Ellington. Expect some of the lesser-known tunes from the great composer’s repertoire, alongside classic favourites.

Proceedings come to a close on 19^th November with Omar Puente Cuban Sextet: Best Foot Forward. World-renowned violinist Omar Puente leads a multinational sextet on tracks firmly rooted in his Afro-Cuban heritage. The show fuses musical experiences from Brazil, Africa, the Caribbean and Europe with a deep understanding of Jazz -  you can expect a night of infectious rhythms and original melodies.

David Porter, Director of J-Night, says: “We pride ourselves on introducing audiences to leading national and international artists, alongside providing inspiring performance opportunities to young jazz musicians at the start of their careers. This November’s programme is no exception. Robert Glasper Experiment launches a special season as we get ready for a big year in 2017, with Hull 2017 UK City of Culture and Hull Jazz Festival’s 25^th birthday. Come join the celebrations!”

Full programme details are available online at www.jnight.org. Tickets for all Hull Truck shows are available from Hull Truck Theatre at www.hulltruck.co.uk or on 01482 323638 and for the Phil Robson Organ Trio show at the University of Hull by emailing FACE-events@hull.ac.uk or calling 01482 465998.