Andy Champion and the ACV quintet
Not that many bands travel south to perform at Hebden Bridge’s HX7 Club, but it’ll definitely be the best of Geordie Jazz when bassist Andy Champion brings his excellent quintet ACV all the way down from the North East to deliver some of the most original and exciting jazz in the region.
Andy Champion launched ACV in 2009, to play compositions reflecting his wide musical interests, drawing on influences as diverse as prog rock and free improvisation, but with jazz always at the heart. The result is a distinctive band sound and identity, where tight arrangements are peppered with insistent, rhythmic unison passages and ferocity but also with more introspective moments, always melodic and direct.
ACV have performed at many prestigious festivals and venues across the UK, including the Sage Gateshead International Jazz Festival, Manchester Jazz Festival, Stockton International Riverside Festival, The Vortex jazz club and completing an acclaimed Jazz Services national tour In Autumn 2011. They have also been featured on BBC Radio's Jazz On 3, UK Jazz Radio and Sine FM.
Their debut CD Fail in Wood was released in 2011, and their brand new recording Busk produced by TrioVD’s Chris Sharkey, is rich with hints of Canterbury-style Prog rock, weightless free Improv, deep modal swing, and sensitive balladry; all delivered by a group at the height of its powers.
Band leader Andy Champion took up double bass in 2003 and rapidly built a reputation that has led to recording and performing with top names such as Bob Mintzer, Tim Garland, Jason Yarde and Andy Sheppard. He also performs with jazz vocalist Zoë Gilby, and has become a respected name on the national scene.
ACV’s line also contains legendary Back Door drummer Adrian Tilbrook and Scottish saxophonist Graeme Wilson who was a key member of the Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra since its earliest days, having played and recorded with such luminaries as Fred Frith, Evan Parker and Barry Guy. Alongside him is Belfast-born guitarist Mark Williams who moved to the Newcastle in 2000 and has become one of the most in demand guitarists on the regional jazz scene, and keyboard player Paul Edis - a familiar figure on the North East Jazz scene, performing with Tim Garland, Julian Siegel, Tony Kofi and many others.
ACV appear at HX7 Jazz at the Trades Club in Holme Street, Hebden Bridge on Thursday April 26th. Doors open at 7.30pm with live music from at 8pm. Phone the Trades Club on 845265 to book advance tickets which are £12 and £9 concessions. Future events include guitarist Jez Franks’ outfit Compassionate Dictatorship in May, and Timecraft in June. There’s more information about these and other forthcoming events at www.hx7jazz.com.
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