Carla Bley’s trio with Andy Sheppard and Steve Swallow has a number of concerts in Europe this month playing music from the new album released earlier this year to coincide with the 80th birthday of the Nea Jazz Master.

“One of jazz history’s most iconoclastic figures” The Times

 “coolly ravishing new album” The New York Times

“captivating, and inconceivable in the hands of anyone else” The Guardian

“Big Force in a Small Group”  The Wall Street Journal

“a tight unit, a three-headed monster, a well-oiled machine” JAZZIZ

Carla Bley: Piano
Andy Sheppard: Tenor and Soprano Saxophones
Steve Swallow: Bass

Andando el Tiempo features new music of wide emotional compass by Carla Bley, and underlines her originality and resourcefulness as a jazz composer. “Saints Alive!” sets up animated conversations between the participants with striking statements from Steve Swallow’s bass guitar and Andy Sheppard’s soprano sax. The stately “Naked Bridges/Diving Brides” draws inspiration from Mendelssohn and the poetry of Paul Haines. And the powerful three part title composition – which addresses the trials and tribulations of recovery from addiction – moves through sorrow to hopefulness and joy. The trio with Sheppard and Swallow has been an ideal vehicle for Carla’s writing for more than 20 years and also provides one of the best contexts for her unique piano playing. Like the critically lauded ECM album Trios (2012), Andando el Tiempo was recorded at Lugano’s RSI Studio and produced by Manfred Eicher.

Read more about the album HERE

To buy tickets visit the CONCERTS page

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An Anglo-French project entitled Shakespeare Songs that combines the talents of three leading contemporary jazz voices, weaving their magic around a series of musical portraits of characters from Shakespeare’s plays and poems marking the 400th anniversary of the death of Shakespeare. The music draws inspiration from Renaissance composers Thomas Morley and William Byrd, giving great importance to colour, melody, dynamics and, most of all, to space and silence.

The project was developed and composed by the French pianist Guillaume de Chassy and drummer Christophe Marguet, the pair of French artists invited Andy Sheppard, whom they call ‘the great English poet of the saxophone’, to join them in their musical exploration of Shakespeare’s world.

The album of the same name released at the end of 2015 sees the trio joined by very special guest Kristin Scott Thomas reading the text.

Shakespeare Songs had a very unique UK premier, prior to the album release, at The Globe in the wonderful Sam Wanamaker Playhouse as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival. A candlelit sold out concert which was received with a standing ovation and with the following review in The Guardian “French pianist Guillaume de Chassy’s witty, dramatic and improv-inviting music steered a completely enticing jazz-meets-Shakespeare show amid the flickering candles at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, with saxophonist Andy Sheppard evoking caresses and murder, drummer Christophe Marguet mimicking the rustling advance of Birnam Wood, and Emma Pallant a stirring narrator.”

Listen to Andy Sheppard’s interview on Shakespeare Songs for RTE’s Culture File

*Click The Image* Interview with Guillaume De Chassy

The tour is comprised by dates in Ireland, in partnership with Music Network and a final concert on the 23rd of March in Nottingham UK.

13/03/2016 Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny

14/03/2016 Linenhall Arts Centre, St.Castlebar

15/03/2016 The Dock Arts Centre, Carrick on Shannon

16/03/2016 Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin

18/03/2016 Triskel Christchurch, Cork

19/03/2016 Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire

20/03/2016 Glór, Ennis

21/03/2016 Station House Theatre, Clifden

22/03/2016 Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo

23/03/2016 Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham

To buy tickets visit our Concerts page

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“a soundtrack to getting lost in the stars” ★★★★1/2  Downbeat

” translucently beautiful” ★★★★ The Guardian

“career-defining moment for Sheppard” ★★★★ Jazzwise

“poignant serenity”  f f f f  Télérama

“lyrical flair with an ethereal tone” Financial Times

“a quiet masterpiece” London Jazz News

“titanic power with ineffable beauty” Jazz Times

“beautiful crafts and a vision to capture the ineffable” Aftenposten

“lyrical magic”  BR Klassic

Described as “one of the year’s most affecting albums” (Jazz Times) Andy Sheppard Quartet Surrounded by Sea, the saxophonist third ECM album, embarks on a European Tour this February with dates in Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Austria, Sweden and Poland.

Mestre (Italy), Bolzano (Italy) , Zürich (Switzerland), Sandvika (Norway), Salzburg (Austria), Lund (Sweden), Warsaw (Poland), Vienna (Austria), Dornbirn (Austria), Molde (Norway)

The elegantly poised textures of Andy Sheppard’s new quartet – given a haunting, other-worldly presence by the electronic soundscapes of guitarist Eivind Aarset – mark a striking new direction for this most lyrically gifted of improvisers.

Andy Sheppard’s first leader date for ECM was the 2008 recording Movements In Colour (where Eivind Aarset was one of the featured guitarists). His second project for the label introduced Trio Libero – a freely lyrical trio with Michel Benita and Sebastian Rochford where all three players share a sense of stylistic open-mindedness.

Sheppard can also be heard with Carla Bley and Steve Swallow on Trios (ECM 2287, recorded 2012), and on ten of Carla Bley’s albums on the ECM distributed WATT label, beginning with Fleur Carnivore in 1988. Sheppard has previously recorded as a leader for Island/Antilles, Blue Note, Verve, Label Bleu and Provocateur, written music for ensembles of every size including his Saxophone Massive project with up to 200 players, and been featured as soloist with great jazz composers and arrangers including George Russell and Gil Evans.

This tour features works from his new album, Surrounded by Sea (ECM) and sees Andy joined by Eivind Aarset (guitar and electronics), Michel Benita (bass) and Michele Rabbia (drums).

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For more information and to buy tickets visit Andy Sheppard CONCERTS page. Keep updated by subscribing to our Newsletter just enter you e-mail address to the subscribe box on our CONTACT page.

Tipping Point

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” translucently beautiful” ★★★★ The Guardian

“a soundtrack to getting lost in the stars” ★★★★1/2  Downbeat

“career-defining moment for Sheppard” ★★★★ Jazzwise

“poignant serenity”  f f f f  Télérama

“a quiet masterpiece” London Jazz News

Book tickets at SERIOUS

The elegantly poised textures of Andy Sheppard’s new quartet – given a haunting, other-worldly presence by the electronic soundscapes of guitarist Eivind Aarset – mark a striking new direction for this most lyrically gifted of improvisers.

With music that ranges from original songs to a ‘translucently beautiful’ (The Guardian) extended meditation on a traditional Gaelic ballad, this is music that absorbs and enchants. The quartet’s new ECM album, Surrounded by Sea, is ‘a career-defining moment for Sheppard’. (★★★★​ Jazzwise)

This tour features works from Surrounded by Sea, which was released in April, and this quartet sees Sheppard joined by

Eivind Aarset – guitar
Michel Benita – bass
Michele Rabbia  – drums & percussion

Extra Show added for Andy Sheppard at EFG London Jazz Festival – Kings Place

Due to overwhelming popular demand, we are very delighted to announce that Andy Sheppard will be playing an extra late show at King’s Place on Fri 20 Nov at 10.00pm.

Tickets were snapped up in record speed for his early show, so don’t miss your opportunity to see one of world’s most engaging improvisers with his most exciting group in recent years.

Andy Sheppard Quartet will be playing a concert in Bielskie Centrum Kultury – Poland on the 13th November

More info at BCK

Andy Sheppard Quartet will be touring in Europe on February 2016

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Tipping Point

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Trios is the first of Carla Bley’s albums to be recorded directly for ECM. Although she has been part of the larger ECM story for forty years, and although much of her life’s work – documented on JCOA and WATT – has been distributed through ECM channels, Trios marks only the second time that Carla Bley and producer Manfred Eicher have been in the studio together (the first occasion being the 1982 recording of Charlie Haden’s The Ballad of the Fallen, for which Carla played piano and wrote arrangements).

On Trios Carla Bley – together with Steve Swallow and Andy Sheppard – revisits some favourite pieces in an album that pays particular attention to her qualities as jazz composer and highly individual pianist and emphasises the strengths of the trio. There is an elegance to the group sound, rooted in long years of reckoning with the material. Bassist Steve Swallow has been playing Carla Bley’s tunes since the early 1960s, and has been a member of all Bley’s touring bands since 1978. Andy Sheppard has been a regular Bley associate since 1987, appearing on a dozen albums since 1987’s Fleur Carnivore.

The trio has a number of concerts in Europe in October and November introducing newly written compositions by the composer Carla Bley, who recently has been awarded the Nea Jazz Master Award. Read More

Find more and book your tickets at SAUDADES  

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“Kind of Green” an interview by Tony Benjamin for Bristol 24/7

“Andy Sheppard is one of the world’s most respected jazz musicians, recording for the prestigious ECM label and appearing at festivals and concert halls around the globe. So it’s our good fortune that not only does he live in Bristol but he’s also always willing to contribute to the city’s musical life. In the past he’s devised and presented spectacular pieces, like his 200 Saxes invasion of the suspension bridge for the Brunel 200 festivities, and now, as his contribution to the European Green Capital celebrations and the annual Gathering Voices festival, he’s put together The Divine Paradox (of Human Beings in Paradise) – a special choral piece for 180 voices and jazz trio. It’s an ambitious project addressing humanity’s relationship with the planet that makes its debut at St George’s Hall on Tuesday 13.” continue reading

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Irish Tour on the horizon for the Andy Sheppard Quartet 

With Trio Libero augmented by guitarist Eivind Aarset from the Movements in Colour band Andy Sheppard spread his band’s wings on his latest album Surrounded by Sea. And next month the quartet embark on a rare run of Irish dates playing Sugar Club, Dublin (7 October), Great Hall Magee, Derry (8 Oct), the MAC, Belfast (9 Oct) and Dolans, Limerick (10 Oct).

A studio album recorded in Lugano last year the saxophonist and double bassist Michel Benita’s tune ‘Tipping Point’ opens Surrounded by Sea pensively, sax-soft, a ballad by some process of musical osmosis Benita’s pulsing bass the heartbeat of an album that goes on to include Elvis Costello’s world weary ‘I Want To Vanish’, a band-arranged Scots Gaelic traditional air treated in three different ways, a piece penned by the third Trio Libero member Sebastian Rochford as well as several Sheppard pieces including joyous closer ‘Looking for Ornette.’ Read more

Book Tickets at Serious

” translucently beautiful” ★★★★ The Guardian

“a soundtrack to getting lost in the stars” ★★★★1/2  Downbeat

“career-defining moment for Sheppard” ★★★★ Jazzwise

“poignant serenity”  f f f f  Télérama

“a quiet masterpiece” London Jazz News

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A composition for massed community choirs, saxophone, percussion/electronics and double bass by the composer/saxophonist Andy Sheppard in conjunction with Gathering Voices, Gurt Lush and St Joseph’s Primary School with guest soloists.

The piece is in seven parts and reflects upon the human condition and potentially devastating effects human society is having on planet Earth. The libretto draws on various observations and speeches made by Frank Lloyd Wright, Martin Luther King and Vandana Shiva with quotes from the books of Genesis and Revelations, T S Elliot’s ‘The Wasteland’ and John Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’. There are also words and ideas developed in workshops with the pupils of local schools.

Divine Paradox is a vibrant thought-provoking voyage through melody, groove and improvisation; both disturbing and uplifting, pessimistic and optimistic – a beautiful musical journey for ears, hearts and minds….

The performance will take place on the 13th of October at St George’s Bristol one of the country’s leading concert halls. It boasts a superb acoustic and unique atmosphere.

The Divine Paradox is funded by Bristol 2015.

Book your tickets HERE                                            

 Interview with Andy Sheppard about his Bristol Green Capital 2015 commission in partnership with Gathering Voices.

Q: What was the main source of inspiration and core ideas behind the making of The Divine Paradox?

AS: I started to write this piece specifically for a large community choir, I guess the title Divine Paradox (of Human Beings in Paradise) gives a good indication of the content of the libretto. I was interested initially in just writing music but then I realized I had to write words, people need words to sing. But then the words became very important in this piece, especially because of the connection with Bristol Green Capital… I felt it was an opportunity for me to make an observation on my understanding of the state of the “Arc” that we are all floating in or sinking in…

Q: Any reason why you’ve chosen to write a choir piece in particular for this project?

AS: I had several ideas that I put forward, as projects to do with Bristol Green Capital but the one that seem to get everyone excited about, was this idea of a large massed community choir. I have a track record for doing this kind of work, I created a piece before called Glossolalia also for massed choir which was performed nationally and internationally, so I kind of have experience and it seems to be a great way to get so many people involved, you don’t have to play an instrument you just have to bring along your voice… There is a big tradition of choirs in Bristol and I managed to hook up with Gathering Voices who have the resources and the structure to make this kind of project work.

Q: Tell us a bit more about the structure of the piece and especially the choice of titles.

AS: The piece is composed for massed choir, percussion & electronics (various samples of speeches and several other things…) double bass and of course saxophone.

It’s in seven parts and it starts with Genesis, Adam and Eve – which I’ve called A&E, accident and emergency… So we start in Paradise and I’ve used the story about Adam and Even getting kicked out of the Garden of Eden and then each piece is an observation of what has happened since then. The social system that we as Human Beings have created in order to live on this Planet, which is so unique and maybe out of step with nature. This same system that we are all governed by now, particularly in the West, is causing a lot of problems… It is a kind of naïve commentary but nevertheless there are a lot of truths.

The second part is called March of the Mud Men, which is about the relentless march… The Industrial Revolution, the march of Progress… The so called Progress…

Then we sweep into the Stock Exchange, for the third piece called International Mothers, which doesn’t need much qualifying, it’s a very often used American slang (laughter), a direct reference to the IMF and the banks…The whole system and what it’s doing to the world. The world economy, globalization, etc etc… How this reflects on the environment, which is of course what this piece is all about. It’s about how do we address these issues and start building a future, rather than building a future of doom … building a future of optimism …  So we had the March of the Mud Men and the International Mothers and of course the obvious consequences of what we as Human Beings are doing to the Planet is in the next piece which is called Death of a Butterfly, which gives an example… The words include many of the names of recently extinct butterflies and about to be extinct species of butterflies. It talks about the effects of what we do and its impact on other life forms. It is a very poignant moment in the piece – butterflies have a beautiful life (doesn’t start off too great but…) when they get to fly… So many other animals and flora are being strangled by Human activity …this piece is highlighting how sad that is.

But I think we have a choice and a voice, the next piece is called Dream Cycles, which will feature a very special surprise entry from a wonderful singer. It is talking about having a Dream of what we can do to turn things around and it’s the obvious reference to recycling and having a dream of change and what we can do to set a better future for all of us.

Then we go to Revelation (part 6), which is another Biblical episode of apocalyptic proportions, a very difficult piece to sing I gather, and it does go completely into an area of darkness, highlighting how we are getting ourselves into serious trouble as Human Beings, if we don’t take some steps to achieve a change of direction. Reflecting about what we are doing to this planet and the paradox of us being in Paradise and screwing it all up…potentially.

At the end we need optimism, we need a future…The last piece is really uplifting I got kids from a local school to write words for it… because it’s their future!

Q: You’ve mentioned earlier there was spoken word in the form of sampled speeches and electronic elements, for which you have invited the Italian musician Michele Rabbia.

The piece is punctuated by episodes of electronica and percussion, saxophone and also excerpts from speeches by Frank Lloyd Wright, M.L King and Vendana Shiva these are all relevant commentaries… Frank Loyd Right was an incredible visionary… He always spoke about the Nature of things, the educational system, which needs to get back to nurturing people in their relationship with Nature and its fundamental values… What is it that we are? And what we think we are? Until we finally start thinking about Nature, we are really driving down a dead end…His views are really interesting and it’s great to have these speeches as part of the piece. The percussionist Michele Rabbia uses laptops and samples so he will fly in several elements at appropriate moments as written in the score. Martin Luther King is talking about The Dream, I am just using the analogy of “I have a dream”, and how we can change the course of things, and stop this kind of crazy runway activity… The train is kind of running away…the bomb is ticking…But we can put the breaks on, we can turn things around… It’s good to have a dream.

Also Shiva talking about what else is happening in the world with GMO crops and seed patenting, and it’s all about how things are really getting out of hand. I think it’s a comment on global businesses and the global drive for profit, it’s not an evangelical crusade here but if you want to write a piece that is commissioned by Bristol Green Capital then really… I want it to be fun, I want it to be beautiful, to be exciting and fulfilling but I also want it to be thought provoking.

Q: What are the next steps for the Divine Paradox and what does it mean to you to be part of Bristol Green Capital?

AS: This is a mega work and I think the choirs are now starting to rehearse the music, I have to prepare the percussionist and my parts and we will gradually over time marry all these things together through rehearsals. I am envisaging a stellar performance that people will come away from having been poked and uplifted – both the audience and the choir! I want this piece to continue to be performed again and again, to be a legacy of the issues we are talking about here…What better thing to illustrate the need of healing than music? Music is the greatest healing power. The drawing together of so many people in one piece – it is all part of the process. We know what the world needs.

I think everyone, within their field, can do things to make society better. My job – I’m a musician – and I think culture is an intrinsic part of any process of conscience revolution. It is such an important part of what it is to be Human and when culture is flourishing, there’s communication, there’s aspiration, there’s hope… It is not just about “making a buck” is about sharing experiences… It is about the Joy of Human Beings in Paradise, It’s not about the Paradox of Human Beings in Paradise…So you know… everyone in whatever you do…You can all turn something that you do into a positive. It’s great that Bristol is the Green Capital – I think everywhere should be a Green Capital…

Andy Sheppard and Hannah Klewin (Gathering Voices) at St Joseph’s Primary School developing the libretto for Part 7 with the pupils.

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Bonjour!

The album Andy Sheppard Quartet ‘ Surrounded by Sea’ (ECM) has just come out in France.

The tour has been wonderful so far, and we will be coming to Paris very soon. Playing at the Duc Des Lombards on the 4th of June.

Really looking forward to it – and hope to see you there!

Best,

Andy Sheppard

‘Comment ne pas nourrir une tendresse particulière pour un saxophoniste qui a joué avec tant de délicatesse et d’émotion…’  read more    

‘Andy Sheppard ne pouvait choisir titre plus approprié que Surrounded by Sea à la musique hautement atmosphérique de son troisième album pour ECM…’ read more

Andy Sheppard Quartet – 4th June @ Duc Des Lombards – réservation 

Tipping Point

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“career-defining moment for Sheppard” ★★★★ Jazzwise

 “lyrical magic” ★★★★★ BR Klassic

Andy Sheppard tenor and soprano saxophones

Eivind Aarset guitar

Michel Benita double bass

Sebastian Rochford drums

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Surrounded by Sea, Andy Sheppard’s third ECM album, is a strongly atmospheric recording, and one whose associative title seems especially apt. As the saxophonist observes, the sea in question is mostly calm, but storms and squalls can arise in a moment. British Islanders are fine-tuned to such sudden fluctuations: “Coming from England, I’ve grown up with the physical awareness of being surrounded by sea.”

Extending the range of his widely-praised Trio Libero project with Michel Benita and Seb Rochford, Andy Sheppard adds Eivind Aarset (who made significant contributions to 2008’s Movements In Colour) to the band. With Aarset’s ambient drones and electronic textures as a backdrop, Sheppard and co seem to have even more space to explore. The music embraced includes new compositions, open improvisations, an Elvis Costello tune, and the Gaelic traditional ballad “Aoidh, Na Dean Cadal Idir” which appears in three variations, a thematic thread through the album.

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Tipping Point

UK TOUR SPRING 2015

For more information on European dates visit the Concerts Page

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