Saxophonist Dave O’Higgins and Guitarist Rob Luft present their second co-led recording “Pluto”. An album of straight-ahead modern jazz in the African American tradition with seven original songs, and two Monk & Trane hits.

EVENT INFO

Overview

Saxophonist Dave O’Higgins & guitarist Rob Luft now present their 2nd co-led recording three years after “Play Monk & Trane”. Where the first album clearly did what it says on the tin, “Pluto”, as the title suggests, comes from another place. Seven of the 9 songs are originals, and the remaining two are Monk & Trane hits from the 40-plus date tour in 2019 that evolved on the road.

The sonority has changed a little, too, with the Hammond organ of before replaced with piano and bass. This is straight-ahead modern jazz in the African-American tradition, clearly coming from the Monk and Trane lineage, but not bound to emulating it. You will hear Luft easily morphing Wes Montgomery with Bill Frisell, his own trademark soundscapes and worldly influences, while O’Higgins’ emotive melodies evoke Dexter, Trane, Joe Henderson and Brecker, with a melodic logic of his own.

Timings

Doors open from 7pm, supper served from 7.15pm, and the performance starts at 8pm. There will be an interval and there is a licensed bar. Seating is cabaret style and there is a lift for disabled access.

Food

Pre-gig Dad’s Favourites Menu from Mandira’s Kitchen:

• Hara bhara kebabs (with mint & coriander dip)

• Chicken Nehari (Navratan Korma)

• Coriander Rice

If you have any questions please contact us by emailing info@guildfordjazz.org.uk

TICKETS

Please note there are no physical tickets, just give your name on the door when you arrive. There’ll be seating reserved for you.

Full Price £20
Members £18
Students £7
Student Members £5

Meals £13

ARTISTS

Saxophonist Dave O’Higgins has 24 albums as leader to his credit. The last Ubuntu release “That’s the Way to Live” (2021) has had great reviews in the Observer, Jazzwise, BBC Magazine & many online jazz sites. In 2017 “It’s Always 9:30 in Zog” was nominated for best CD (British Jazz Awards) & Dave for best tenor saxophonist.

O’Higgins & Luft were nominated for best band in 2020 Parliamentary Jazz Awards. Dave serves on the faculty at the London College of Contemporary Media. He currentlyperforms with the Harvey / O’Higgins Project, O’Higgins & Luft, Darius Brubeck Quartet, and the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra. Dave also wrote and produced the 2017 Matt Bianco album, “Gravity” and tours with the band as saxophonist & musical director

Rob Luft is an award-winning 28-year-old jazz guitarist from London whose virtuosity has been compared to that of six-string legends John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola & Paco De Lucia. He was the recipient of the 2016 Kenny Wheeler Prize from the Royal Academy of Music, and he also received 2nd Prize in the 2016 Montreux Jazz Guitar Competition at Montreux Jazz Festival. His debut album, “Riser”, was released on Edition Records in 2017 to widespread acclaim from the European media. John Fordham wrote in The Guardian that it’s a “very sophisticated debut, but given Luft’s old-soul achievements since his early teens, we should have heard it coming”. In May 2019, Rob was selected as a BBC New Generation Jazz Artist in conjunction with BBC Radio 3.

Ross Stanley began playing with the band on organ when the logistics of Scott Flanigan travelling from Northern Ireland were unsustainable. Equally adept on piano, this instrument was chosen for “Pluto”. This opened up a place for the exciting sound of Misha Mullov-Abbado on bass. American drummer, Rod Youngs, so integral to the vibe of the band on the 2019 tour, completes the lineup.

DIRECTIONS

The performance is upstairs in the Pavilion building at the Guildford County Cricket Club, The Sports Ground, Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP

For sat navs please check the postcode takes you to Wharf Road. There’s a car park alongside, entry from Wharf Road. If you’re approaching from Guildford town centre, Wharf Road is on the left just before the Sports Ground. If you’re approaching from the A3/Ladymead there’s no right turn into Wharf Road, but continue to the next roundabout to double back.

If the car park’s full (please only park in marked bays to leave room for emergency access), there are a few parking bays along Wharf Road which you can use after 7pm, also along the Woodbridge Road on the left as you come from the Town centre.

The overflow car park at the far end of the cricket pitch will also be open unless it’s very wet. Turn left as you come out of Wharf Road and carry on along Woodbridge Road towards the railway bridge, and the entrance to the ground is just before the end of the green fence that runs along the perimeter of the ground, next to the Woodbridge Café.

There’s also a larger public car park at the open air Mary Road Car Park (GU1 4QU) or multi-storey Bedford Road Car Park (GU1 4SJ), which is about 10 minutes walk away.

SEATING

Seating is either in front row settees/armchairs, central round tables, or rear high chairs/tables. Seats will be reserved for you when you book. If you’re a Guildford Jazz member, please let us know if you have a seating preference in on the booking form. Notes on the layout:

Front row: Seats 1, 3 and 4 are 3-seater settees, and seats 2 and 5 are pairs of armchairs.

Middle tables: Tables 6 to 23 and 32 are small tables , each seating 4 (for bookings of 1 or 2 seats, we’ll seat you at a table with others, please let us know if you have friends coming who you’d like to sit with!).

Rear tables: Tables 24 to 29 are tall tables suitable for 2 people, with high stools.

Tables 30 and 31 are lower square tables seating 3 or can be put togther for a group of 8

Groups: Table 33 is suitable for a large group of 8 (or a cozy 10!)