Just East of Jazz

Just East of Jazz perform their first central London show for many years, now welcoming keyboard specialist Danny Manners (Big Big Train, The Happy End) into the line-up. With a set of new compositions by all the members of the band and drawing on their extremely eclectic influences from jazz to classical to prog, this evening promises a unique musical event – in the words of The Guardian: “rapid transitions and tight unison playing…a razor-sharp ensemble sound Just East of Jazz have arrived at an extraordinary synthesis of sound, colour, light and imagery — the apotheosis of a musical idea whose roots go back to 1993. Back then JEOJ gained a reputation as one of the first and best groups to explore the connections between jazz and klezmer, but quickly developed a sound and approach all their own, and over time took in a much wider range of influences. Their writing embodies their personal and idiosyncratic concept and compositional style, a collective voice which fans recognise and love. Joining the core line-up of saxophonist Jeremy Shoham, percussionist Rick Finlay and bassist Phil Scragg, in their latest incarnation the band welcome keyboard wizard Danny Manners into the band. Manners’ musical background includes a lengthy period with award-winning prog rock band Big Big Train, as well as many collaborations with French singer-songwriter Louis Philippe as bassist, keyboardist and arranger, and work with alternative socialist big band The Happy End. The band has a uniquely off-beam take on contemporary music, incorporating world, folk, prog and classical influences in their impressionistic style. Composition and improvisation are seamlessly linked, an approach that has led to favourable comparisons with fusion pioneers Weather Report and prog rock innovators Gong. "“…a restlessly virtuosic display of exceptionally punchy rhythmic precision and tight but flighty improvisation” " - Jazzwise