Owter Zeds 25th anniversary event at the Trades

Sunday, 28 June 2009

Local legends Owter Zeds play their grand 25th anniversary event at the Trades Club, Hebden Bridge on Saturday July 4th as part of the club’s contribution to the Arts Festival.

The Owter Zeds formed way back in 1984 when the country was in the midst of a civil war during the Miners Strike to raise money for Yorkshire’s striking pit workers and their hungry families.

Since then a staggering 80 local musicians have passed through their ranks but no matter who is in the line-up in any given week they have continued to churn out their trademark mix of ska, rock and reggae.

The latest incarnation of the Zeds intend to mark their silver jubilee by inviting as many former members of the band as they can fit on the Trades stage to join in the celebrations.

As it is the first Thursday of the month then it must be time for the Trades’ highly competitive quiz hoisted by Dave Boardman and as only one point separated the first four teams last time you can expect another hard fought but lighted heated battle of the brains.

The Arts Festival events continue with the debut visit to the club of hotly tipped jazz quartet Empirical on Friday July 3rd with their tribute to legendary free jazz flautist Eric Dolphy.

Empirical are promising a set of original material to honour the late great master and jazz fans in the know rate Empirical as the future of British jazz.

Their talents have even been recognised at Westminster when they won best ensemble at the Parliamentary Jazz awards and they come to the valley after a series of sell out gigs in New York, Canada and a set at the spiritual home of British jazz, Ronnie Scott’s.

In an age of recycling the Trades likes to do its bit so on Saturday afternoon the club is hosting a Clothes Swap Shop from 12 noon where locals can bring along stuff from their wardrobe they no longer love and swap then for some new gladrags. Once you’ve made your swap alterations can be made to tailor you new outfit to your size and taste.

A busy weekend rounds off with the TG Collective on Sunday July 5th who are bringing their fusion of flamenco and jazz to the valley complete with leading Spanish dancer Ana Garcia taking to the club's sprung dancefloor.

At the heart of TG Collective sound are the duelling guitars of Jamie Fekete and Sam Slater who throw in a range of sounds including gypsy, hotclub and classical influences backed up by double bass, trumpet, flute and violin.

“The Otwer Zeds’ family tree would even defeat the legendary Pete Frame but they are a consistently entertaining band no matter who is on stage and we are honoured to host their silver jubilee gig,” Trades Club spokesperson Paul Clarke told the Hebden Bridge Web..

“As usual the Arts Festival have booked some of the best young acts on the circuit and Empirical and TG Collective are both acts who have a big future but we're particularly looking forward to seeing Ana Garcia's amazing flamenco.

“The Clothes Swap Shop is a new venture for us but all our members are committed to saving our planet so this a fun way for people to do their bit as well as get some natty new threads.”

More info from 01422845265 or boxoffice@tradesclub.info

Listen now

Outer Zeds

Empirical

TG Collective

Previously on Hebweb

• Top poet Simon Armitage to rock the Trades
• Ska warriors Natural Rhythm storm the Trades Club
• Monkey business and Steve Gifford at the Trades
• Glastonbury favourites 3 Daft Mondays swing into the Trades
• "Incredible" Mike Heron at the Trades
• Rock on at the Trades
• Dr Feelgood back at the Trades
• Nick Harper hits the peaks at the Trades
• May Day weekend at the Trades Club
• Peter Kay rocks the Trades Club
• Squeezing out the hits at the Trades
• Southern Tenant Folk Union at the Trades
• Becks and The Bullets back at the Trades
• Sunshine Sounds at the Trades
• It’s Ho-Hoedown Time at the Trades
• Australia's Emily Barker plays the Trades
• St Patrick’s Day Shenanigans at The Trades