The Jim Wynn Quintet featuring Holly Thomas
plays the music of George and Ira Gershwin
Jim Wynn – Piano,
Holly Thomas – Vocals
Liam Byrne – Saxophone
Tom Moore - Double Bass
Euan Palmer - Drums
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17th October 2015 in the Hamilton Hall, Adams' Grammar School 7:30pm
Programme:
Featuring a selection of well-known standards from the Gershwin songbook, including works from Porgy and Bess and Girl Crazy amongst others, with interpretations inspired by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis and Oscar Peterson
Jim Wynn is a jazz pianist, teacher, composer and arranger based in Birmingham. Jim grew up in Newport Shropshire before going on to study jazz at the Birmingham Conservatoire. Since graduating he has worked as performer with both his own bands and as a sideman. He currently leads a trio, a nonet and a big band featuring some of the most promising up and coming young jazz musicians in the UK. Jim is also a busy teacher, working at Newport Girls’ High School and Adams’ Grammar School. Recent concerts include performances at Symphony Hall, The Jam House and The Yardbird in Birmingham as well the Lichfield Festival. Jim takes influence from Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans and Ahmad Jamal as well as swing era musicians such as Duke Ellington and Lester Young.
Liam Byrne Saxophonist Liam Byrne is from North Wales and studied at Leeds College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama winning several awards, including the Dave Cooper Memorial Prize for Jazz Saxophone and the 'Spud Murphy' Saxophone Prize. He co-leads a band with young trumpet star Jamie Brownfield which regularly performs across the country at many jazz clubs and festivals. He has also performed alongside many leading British jazz musicians including Alan Barnes, Digby Fairweather, Bruce Adams and Dave O’Higgins. Liam has a growing reputation as a torchbearer of the jazz tenor saxophone tradition, with a warm sound and understated approach inspired by the likes of Lester Young and Ben Webster.
Holly Thomas Birmingham Conservatoire graduate Holly Thomas is an experienced vocalist and composer who takes influence from singers such as Norma Winstone and Sarah Vaughan. Holly performs regularly across the West Midlands as well as in London, and has been fortunate enough to perform in prestigious venues such as The Vortex, 606 jazz club, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, the Manchester Jazz Festival, Callander Jazz Festival, the Harmonic Jazz Festival and in Birmingham Symphony Hall bar. As a composer Holly has recorded an album of poetry set to her original music, which can be heard on the album 'The Passing of the Storm'. Some of the poets featured are Wordsworth, R. S. Thomas and Leonard Cohen amongst others.
Tom Moore Having graduated from the Birmingham Conservatoire in 2011, Tom is now a full-time bassist making a living as a freelance side-man and occasional band leader. He currently performs with London based singer/songwriter Purdy, guitarist Remi Harris and Ben Holder of Gypsy Fire as well various musicians around the Midlands area. He is also writing a debut album of original Bluegrass music with his own band, Mason Dixon.
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Euan Palmer graduated from Birmingham Conservatoire in 2011 where he studied under internationally recognized musicians Jeff Williams, Tony Levin, Mike Williams and Hans Koller. Since graduating Euan has been involved in a range of musical projects and has made festival appearances at the London Jazz Festival, Paris International Jazz Festival and Love Supreme with Young Pilgrims. He is also keen attendee of the Vortex Jazz Club’s Sunday night jam session.