NEWS
Theo Jackson - UK tour, May and June 2013.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
SONGWRITER, VOCALIST AND PIANIST PLANS TO HELP BRING JAZZ TO A WIDER AUDIENCE
First UK tour announced for Theo Jackson.
Inspired by a recent visit to New Zealand, jazz songwriter vocalist and pianist Theo Jackson is aiming to introduce jazz to new audiences. During his trip he enjoyed encouraging both local children and students of jazz at the New Zealand School of Music to join him in exploring the music, and is hoping to combine an element of this with his first UK tour.
Aged 27, Theo recognises he is still very much growing musically and hopes to share his enjoyment of learning about jazz with others. “The jazz scene is only sustainable if it continues to engage younger audiences. As part of this tour I
hope to meet some kids who perhaps haven’t been exposed to this type of music much before. Hopefully some of them will want to learn more about it.”
The Jazz Services assisted tour opens in London on Wednesday 8th May 2013 at the club where ownerSteve Rubie gave Theo his first break just two short years ago ‐ The 606 in London. Tour dates include Poole, Milton Keynes, Bath, Maidstone, Oxford, Manchester and Halifax and will finish in the seaside town where Theo spent his childhood, Margate.
Directly ahead of the tour Theo will be presenting his new highly improvised duo project with multiaward winning saxophonist Nathaniel Facey at Cheltenham Jazz Festival. “In our duo project Nathaniel and I get to really explore and improvise freely. We play original tunes which we both contribute as well as repertoire from composers who have inspired each of us including the likes of Ellington, Coltrane, Parker and Dolphy. It’s musically very challenging and equally exciting.”
Dates:
5th May 2013 Cheltenham Jazz Festival, CHELTENHAM Duo
8th May 2013 The 606, LONDON Quartet
9th May 2013 Soundcellar, POOLE Trio
14th May 2013 The Stables, MILTON KEYNES Trio
18th May 2013 Chapel Arts, BATH Trio
24th May 2013 The Music Room, Pizza Express, MAIDSTONE Trio
26th May 2013 The Jam Factory, OXFORD Trio
30th May 2013 Dean Clough Arts, HALIFAX Duo
31st May 2013 Matt and Phreds, MANCHESTER Quartet
6th & 8th June 2013 The Tom Thumb Theatre, MARGATE Trio
Duo project: Theo Jackson vocals/piano, Nathaniel Facey alto saxophone
Trio: Theo Jackson vocals/piano, Shane Allessio double bass, Jason Reeve drums
Quartet: Theo Jackson, Nathaniel Facey, Shane Allessio, Jason Reeve
Bio:
Since leaving the University of Durham with a music degree Theo regularly appears in London and further afield both as a solo artist and with his own band. Theo’s debut album – Jericho – was released in early 2012, and features nine original tunes. His songs are published by British publishing house Splashpoint, where they appear alongside those of Liane Carroll, Claire Martin and Ian Shaw.
What the press say:
“One of the most interesting jazz vocalists and composers to emerge on the British scene in recent years, Jackson can flit between ballads and rapid‐fire scatting in the blink of an eye.” Ivan Hewett, TheTelegraph
“One of Britain’s finest jazz musicians and singers.” Michael Wilson, Jazz FM
“Soulful, earthy vocal‐led jazz from this impressive young singer with a powerful yet subtle voice,Jackson also has a knack of penning Stevie Wonder‐esque originals that avoid the usual crooner clichés.
. . Jackson’s one to watch out for.” Time Out
“Jericho is a welcome creation—the work of a young male vocalist who is steering a route that avoids the well‐trodden paths of The Great American Songbook and heads towards a potentially fascinating musical destination.” Bruce Lindsay, All About Jazz
JAZZ MANN FEATURES
Monday at Cheltenham Jazz Festival, 06/05/2013.
The sun shines on the final day of an excellent festival.
Sunday at Cheltenham Jazz Festival, 05/05/2013.
Ian Mann soaks up the vibes at Cheltenham Jazz Festival.
