Simon Purcell Quintet
Chris Batchelor - trumpet
Julian Seigel - tenor and soprano saxophones
Gene Calderazzo - drums
Amy Baldwin - bass
Simon Purcell - piano
It is often overlooked that Simon Purcell is one of Britain’s most accomplished pianists, largely due to his educational work at as Head of the Jazz Faculty at Trinity College of Music. and previously at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama (1987 - 2005). Simon has recently returned to the performing arena, aiming to focus his energies on performance of the music rather than exclusively on its teaching.
Originally known for his hard-bop group “Jazz Train” during the 1980’s, Simon has performed throughout the UK and parts of Europe, both as leader and sideman, appearing with amongst others - Red Rodney, Kenny Wheeler, Eddie Henderson, Stan Sulzmann, Jean Tousaint, Valerie Ponomarev, Dale Barlow, Julian Arguelles, Bobby Shew, Conrad Erwig and Steve Williamson.
This is a quintet of old friends and musical associates. Having collaborated together at the Glamorgan Jazz Summer School for many years, Simon has convened this group of musicians to explore new compositions. The music explores more open forms and while musicians hate comparisons, the music lies somewhere between Miles, Wayne Shorter and Dave Douglas.
Simon’s own playing embodies the influences of pianists who formed much of the the jazz vocabulary such as Bud Powell, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea and McCoy Tyner, as well as the British pianists John Taylor and Pete Saberton whom he sites as major influences.
For further information - please phone or email
Simon Purcell, on 0208 257 0708 or spurcelljazz@ntlworld.com
www.simonpurcell.com
