Like birds blown off course we are occasionally fortunate in the West Country to have sightings of ‘top of the game’ musicians whose normal nesting places are more metropolitan. This month we are privileged in welcoming one such musician in the form of the celebrated Gilad Atzmon and his wonderful band the Orient House Ensemble on their only gig in Devon before going on to play Ronnie Scott’s Club.  So for quality of music, price and proximity this is an occasion not to miss

Gilad is arguably one of the most original and eclectic saxophonists (soprano and tenor)  playing in the UK today. For many years he has an alter ego playing in the Blockheads but his mainstream work has been in jazz where his sensitivity and astounding originality have earned him a huge fan base.

In his current work he is bringing these qualities to interpreting the work of the fountain head of modern jazz – John Coltrane. Both his tour and new CD focus on the ‘Spirit of Trane’. Gilad  writes  “When I picked up the saxophone at the age of seventeen, it was Trane who inspired me to make the tenor my first instrument”  Forty years on he continues:- “Coltrane is far greater than the sum of his outstanding musical achievements. He was a voice of a generation, an artistic revolutionary spirit, a man who transformed anger into love and plight into a humanist message. Coltrane is for us jazz at its best: an authentic creative wave of constant transformation and innovation. Trane is for us, first and foremost, a spirit”.

With these sentiments in mind Gilad will be bringing that spirit back to life in this performance with his interpretations (n.b not covers!) of some of Coltrane major tracks.  Listeners can expect a wonderful evening with this tight, well-rehearsed and very much together band.

This is a rather special gig as Gilad fans will not have noticed it is not on his current tour list. However Teignmouth Jazz and Blues hit it off so well with him when he played at last years Festival that he recently asked us if we would like him to come by and play. How could  we refuse?!

With Gilad on tenor and soprano sax, clarinet and bass clarinet and the talented Frank Harrison on piano, the imposing Yaron Stavi on acoustic bass and Enzo Zirilli on drums this is a night not to miss and well worth booking in advance at this low standard price which reflects our commitment to our audience.