Jazz Preview: Hot sounds thaw out freeze on live music

After the deep freeze, jazz in Yorkshire is beginning to thaw out, not least at Wakefield Jazz tonight when after two blank weeks the New Year programme makes a belated start with the Gareth Williams Power Trio.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Jan 2010, 11:43 BST
Updated 22nd Jan 2010, 11:43 BST

Pianist Williams came to the fore during a long association with Claire Martin but he has created his own niche as the leader of a group which is not afraid to turn up the heat.

The trio's latest album is called Shock! and includes a scorching version of John Coltrane's Giant Steps. Lawrence Cottle on bass and Martin France on drums complete the line-up.

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Huddersfield Jazz makes a nicely timed 2010 debut tomorrow night in the cellar at the Lawrence Batley Theatre where trumpeter Steve Waterman's quintet will play the music of Gerry Mulligan and Chick Corea.

The excellent Waterman will play with Alan Barnes, Nick Weldon, Simon Thorpe and Clark Tracey – and the evening bodes well for the Huddersfield faithful.

So what else as Yorkshire jazz breaks free from its icy shackles? Well, tearaway tenor player Simon Spillett holds court with his quartet at Sheffield Jazz tonight , and the beguiling South African singer Esther Miller will cast her spell at Howden's Shire Hall tomorrow.

Sunday night brings the eight-piece Blues Experience, featuring singer Juliet Roberts, to Pave in Princes Avenue, Hull, and next Thursday sees the launch of the HX7 Jazz Club at Hebden Bridge Trades Club.

Related topics:Yorkshire