GO London GO

For the first of this year’s collaborations with mjf, we present a genuine ‘supergroup’ which brings together two of the UK’s finest musicians with two great stars of the US jazz scene.

Gwilym Simcock has been name-checked as a ‘genius’ by Chick Corea and has worked extensively throughout Europe with top jazz artists, including Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, Lee Konitz and Bill Bruford’s Earthworks. Mike Walker needs no introduction to Mancunian listeners and is regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting guitarists, having worked with George Russell, the Creative Jazz Orchestra, Vince Mendoza, Anthony Braxton and Bill Frisell. Steve Swallow’s illustrious career spans decades of playing with many of the jazz greats – John Scofield, Carla Bley, Chris Potter and many others. Steve and his long-time friend and rhythm section partner Adam Nussbaum have worked on many projects together. Adam’s work with Michael Brecker won a Grammy in 1988; he was last seen in Manchester at the RNCM in 2008 with Mike’s project Ropes.

 
This is a brand new project for which Gwilym, Mike and Steve have been writing new music feverishly over the past few months. Expect edge-of-your-seat virtuosity, high energy performances and the kind of chemistry that is generated when such world-class artists perform together.

Following an electrifying collaboration in June 2007, the RNCM Big Band is once again joined by one of the UK’s most in-demand keyboard players and Latin music producers, Alex Wilson.

One of the leading names on the UK jazz and Latin music scenes, Wilson has performed with everyone from Courtney Pine to Jazz Jamaica, Adalberto Santiago to Toumani Diabaté. Of his six solo albums, his latest, Salsa con Soul, has been a worldwide hit on the salsa scene, regularly charting DJ lists and a favourite of the salsa dance clubs. He has also enjoyed success in the commercial world, penning the theme tune of Channel 4’s How to Look Good Naked, as well featured tracks on the US drama series 24. One final thing – watch out for Alex again this Autumn, as he returns to the RNCM with his Mali-Latino project, co-led by Malian virtuosi Madou Sidiki Diabaté and Ahmed Fofana.

Mike Hall director
Alex Wilson piano