Big Bamboo

Big Bamboo play Rumba, Choro, Mento, Beguine and Merengue – in an acoustic and improvised style reminiscent of New Orleans jazz. Clarinettist Richard Ormrod grew up with the rich, lyrical sound of early Caribbean music and has been playing in this style for thirty five years. Trombonist Will Osborne is passionate about early calypso and beguine and, together, they lead Big Bamboo on a tour through the first half of the 20th Century, across several seas, and through multiple musical traditions rooted in early jazz and hot dance.

Sextet ¡Ritmo Caliente!

Sextet ¡Ritmo Caliente!, formed from the rhythm section of northern Salsa powerhouse Orchestra Mambo International, present a 100th birthday tribute to Latin Jazz pioneer, vibist Cal Tjader.

Led by JazzLeeds regular John Settle on vibes, ¡Ritmo Caliente! honour Tjader’s extensive repertoire from a successful career lasting almost 40 years.

These top Latin jazz musicians from northern England and South America have played with a plethora of Latin music’s greatest, including Joe Bataan, Los Van Van, Grupo X, Jimmy Bosch and many more.

Jean Toussaint Quintet

Jean Toussaint is undoubtedly one of the great tenors in recent jazz history. First coming to prominence with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers in the 80s, Jean’s blistering technique and lyrical sound have graced the bands led by such as Wynton Marsalis and Gil Evans as well as leading his own excellent line-ups.

Rod Mason's "Elements"

They call him The Room Darkener but soulful swing, funk and bop saxist Rod Mason is a giant in more ways than the obvious.

Great to welcome Rod back with his own band, the legendary “Elements”. Always good to hear his mighty saxophone sounds matched by the energy of Richard Hammond, Richard Wetherall and Dave Walsh. Jazz, funk, blues, the works!

Tony Burkill

A stalwart of the Leeds music scene for the best part of four decades, Tony Burkill has maintained a low profile nationally, choosing to favour continued study and development of the instrument over the attainment of success or recognition within the music industry. He has impressed audiences with his powerful and gutsy approach to improvisation and has been a well-kept secret amongst both musicians and audiences in the north of England since the 1980s.

Bend and Weave: Sculpting in Willow

Using flexible willow branches, express your own stories by creating sculptures together while exploring the artwork of Dominique White, on display in Henry Moore Institute's exhibition Fragment and Form.

This workshop will provide a safe, fun, and creatively stimulating environment for families to explore the themes, materials and processes within our current exhibition through creative play.

 

Philip Lassiter

Grammy-winning trumpeter Philip Lassiter brings an electrifying fusion of musical genres to the Howard Assembly Room, promising an unforgettable night of high-energy performance. With a remarkable career spanning multiple musical landscapes, Lassiter has established himself as a powerhouse arranger and musician who has collaborated with some of the most iconic artists of our time.