Three more Bandcamp releases
There are also three older recordings by Chris released on Andy Cleyndert’s Trio label which are now available as downloads, again with all proceeds going to Refuge.
Gone in the Air, with Tony Kofi examines compositions by the great multi-instrumentalist Eric Dolphy, as well as some of the tunes he played on recordings by other leaders. Live at Campus West, again with Tony, revisits some of the same material in more expansive, free interpretations, plus music by Monk and Mingus.
Profiles of Mingus combines iconic Charles Mingus compositions with solo improvisations to create a fresh portrait on the great bass-player, leader and composer. It features trumpet legend Henry Lowther and Kate Williams, 2020 winner of the Parliamentary Jazz Award for CD of the year.
Again, thanks to Chris Topley for producing the downloads and contributing to the fundraising effort.
100% of receipts to www.refuge.org.uk
See the three albums on Bandcamp
Mo Foster and Friends, featuring guitarist Ray Russell creates small band interpretations of some of the big band arrangements and compositions of Gil Evans, Mike Gibbs and Jaco Pastorius as well as originals by Mo and Ray. The band continues to play live, but the main focus at present is on completing a debut CD. This is now ready and due for release in early 2021.
Finally, parts of a reunion gig with Marcio Mattos and Mark Sanders have been documented on YouTube. 'Chris Biscoe at Flim Flam September 2019' will bring up the filmed extracts, though my favourite is by my unpronounceable doppelganger Chris Biscscoe. Excellent as this name is it pales beside the wonderful B Bifbo, a name which mysteriously appeared on a letter from the Musicians’ Union.
News
See Chris's Diary for more details
Chris Biscoe
Two of a Mind with alto saxophonist Allison Neale and Chris on baritone sax is based on the freewheeling, wonderfully melodic interpretations of standard material recorded 50 years ago by Gerry Mulligan and Paul Desmond on Blues in Time and Two of a Mind. Then and Now, the band’s debut album on Trio Records, includes some tracks using arrangements from those original recordings, as well as new compositions and arrangements by Chris and Allison. In live performances Chris now features alto clarinet as well as baritone sax. Recent gigs were in Leicester, Hastings, Wolverhampton and Fleece Jazz, Suffolk.
Cartoon (formerly the The Morph Trio), with Chris, Roger Turner and Newcastle based double bassist John Pope, played its first concerts in Newcastle. Subsequently the trio toured in Italy and recorded with Sergio Armaroli, Giancarlo Schiaffini and Walter Prati in December 2018.
‘Change of Meaning’ is the first CD release from Cartoon, and the 100th CD in the Confront Collectors Series. Featuring a complete live set recorded at The Bridge in Newcastle, and a 16 minute studio performance, the CD is an introduction to the trio in full interactive mode.
Available now from www.confrontrecordings.com
‘Trio plus Trio’ Sergio Armoroli Trio plus Cartoon is available now. It is on the Dodicilune label and can be bought direct at www.dodiciluneshop.it
Chris Biscoe endorses Brancher
mouthpieces, ligatures and reeds
Wobbly Rail 5
There’s a new release by the Wobbly Rail 5 featuring Chris Biscoe, Pete Hurt, Liam Noble, Steve Watts and Jon Scott. Recorded and mixed by Andy Cleyndert, it includes compositions by Chris, Pete, Liam and Thelonious Monk. The recording is available as a download only, produced by Chris Topley. The Wobbly Rail image is an original painting by Kate Westbrook, included as a free high-res download.
100% of receipts will be donated to Refuge Against Domestic Violence.
www.refuge.org.uk
The link to Bandcamp is
https://is.gd/ZBpfFu
When I recorded Then and Now, with Allison Neale, there were some tracks which didn’t make it onto the CD. I’m making some of these available for listening on this website. There are two Gerry Mulligan originals, Stand Still and Fall Out, plus alternate takes of four of the tunes from the CD.
Listen here
Allison Neale & Chris Biscoe
On this site we have a quartet version of ‘Mendacity’ livestreamed from Riverhouse Barn, Walton on Thames, Surrey on November 19th 2020.
Kate Williams - piano and arranger
Chris Biscoe - alto sax
Conor Chaplin - bass
Jon Scott - drums
Latest Gigs on the Diary page
MINGUS PROFILES SEXTET CELEBRATES
CENTENARY OF BIRTH OF CHARLES MINGUS
Sunday 24th April, 7.30-10.00pm tickets £17
Riverhouse Barn
Manor Road
Walton-on-Thames
Surrey
KT12 2PF
www.riverhousebarn.co.uk
https://thelittleboxoffice.com/riverhouse/book/event/154087
Way Out West presents Mingus Century,
Charles Mingus’ jazz brought to the fore the collective spirit of New Orleans and the orchestral colours of Duke Ellington at a time when both were being overlooked by the post-bop tradition.
Mingus was born on April 22nd 1922 and this centenary celebration brings together core members of Profiles of Mingus, the band established 25 years ago by Chris Biscoe and Henry Lowther. Most of the arrangements are by Chris, but tonight’s guest, Pete Hurt, will bring his new arrangements of Mingus classics.
Profiles of Mingus released on Trio Records features Chris Biscoe, Henry Lowther, Kate Williams, Larry Bartley and Pete Hurt
Chris Biscoe - alto sax and alto clarinet
Henry Lowther - trumpet and flugelhorn
Pete Hurt - alto and tenor sax
Kate Williams - piano
Larry Bartley - double bass
Gary Willcox – drums
The band also appears in Leeds and Sheffield next month – please tell your friends in the north
Jazz Leeds - Mingus Profiles Sextet
Seven Arts
May 19th, 7.00pm tickets £16/14/8 under 16s free
Info and to book tickets:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/jazzleeds/mingus-profiles-sextet/e-omompv
www.jazzleeds.org.uk
Sheffield jazz – Mingus Profiles Sextet
Crookes Social Club
May 20th, 8.00pm tickets £16/14/9/4 under 15 free
Info and to book tickets
https://www.sheffieldjazz.org.uk/event/mingus-profiles-sextet/
www.ticketsource.co.uk/sheffield-jazz
Reviews for Profiles of Mingus – Trio TR585
…flows with all the force of the originals, the ensemble broiling somewhere between whitewater and wildfire…
Tim Cumming, The Independent, Album of the week
Biscoe's sparkling arrangements and splendid playing vividly capture Mingus's sprawling, rumbustious energy, while giving the music a fresh twist.
Kenny Mathieson, The Scotsman
In April 2022 Chris joined the Mike Westbrook Uncommon Orchestra for two sell-out performances of On Duke’s Birthday at Ronnie Scott’s Club, and on May 1st the band is playing at Cheltenham Festival. In the autumn the band will be recreating The Westbrook Rossini in Italy and the UK.