There are three significant events this week. First, as described last week, the free improvisation end of jazz, brings together some of the best in both the UK and the US at a gig tonight in the Jacqueline du Pr Music Building. The performance will feature the Convergence Quartet, with trumpeter Taylor Ho Bynum and drummer Harris Eisenstadt, backed by Oxford's Dom Lash and Al Hawkins, plus pianist Veryon Weston's trio with Paul May on drums and Dom Lash on bass. This is an historic event in the free improvisation diary which deserves a full house.
On Wednesday, Oxford Contemporary Music's autumn season continues at the Holywell Music Room with a double bill from Scandinavia. Solveig Slettahjell, a Norwegian singer who has already collected several awards at home, will be performing in a duo and there is music, too, from Ilmiliekki, a young jazz quartet (pictured right) which has already made a stir in Finland and beyond.
On Thursday, the Spin Jazz Club, at the Wheatsheaf pub off Oxford's High Street, is host to The New Jazz Couriers, a quintet featuring an old favourite, Mornington Lockett on sax, and Martin Drew on drums. This is an ensemble dedicated to the music of Tubby Hayes, Victor Feldman, Ronnie Scott and Clark Terry. Apart from Ronnie Scott himself, Drew seems to have played with every name in the book, so this is another coup for the Spin and a good night for those who like straight down-the-line jazz played by some of the best.
Elsewhere, on Wednesday, the Abingdon Jazz Club at the King's Head and Bell has a jam session from 9pm, a chance for budding soloists to have a blow, and The Antique Six are at the Amersham Jazz Club in Beaconsfield. On Friday, the Oxford big band, the Velvet Tones, are making one of their rare public appearances, this time at Uffington Village Hall. And if your looking for something tonight, Mike Clapson and Jazz Gene have their fortnightly spot at the Waterman's Arms in Osney.
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