Hebden Bridge Web

Wainsgate Chapel Concert: jazz guitarist Stuart McCallum

Monday, 5 September 2016

Wainsgate Chapel's 2016 concert season resumes on Saturday September 10th with a welcome return for a long-time Hebden Bridge favourite, when Manchester-based jazz guitarist Stuart McCallum returns after his appearance with singer/songwriter Zoe Kyoti, for what promises to be a most delightful solo concert. Best known for his work with The Cinematic Orchestra, McCallum has frequently performed at the Trades Club with organist John Ellis's band and at the late lamented HX7 Jazz Club with his own bands.

In all his work there's an exciting and distinctly upbeat approach, mixing ultra-contemporary electronica with classic jazz grooves which refer back to the sound of legendary Blue Note guitarist Grant Green. In this solo acoustic setting, Stuart McCallum uses three different acoustic guitars to play some of his own original compositions as well as re-imagining and re-sculpting some well-known jazz standards into fresh shapes. He admits to influences from Pat Metheny to Bill Frisell, Bon Iver to Jerry Douglas and Gerald Finzi to Kelly Joe Phelps. His use of loops, soundscapes and open tunings evokes a combination of chilled-out bliss and sublimated yearning, creating music that is a balm for the soul.

From jazz beginnings to DJ culture, Stuart McCallum's music is 'alternative jazz' - a distillation of influences, creating a sound that is concentrated and distinctive. Not wanting to hide behind over complicated harmonic and rhythmical structures, angular and forgettable melodies, his music is a new hybrid of composition, production and performance, embracing simple, memorable melodies, electronica and improvisation enriched by elegant writing. Stuart has performed and recorded with some of the most prominent jazz artists in the UK, including Kenny Wheeler, John Surman, Mike Gibbs, Gwilym Simcock and Tim Garland.

Saturday's concert starts at 3pm and tickets, which are only available at the door, cost £10 and £8 with a special £3 rate for under 18s. The following day the chapel is open between 2 and 4pm as part of the Heritage Weekend with displays, organ recitals and home-made cakes. Other Wainsgate concerts this autumn include jazz bassist Alison Rayner's band ARQ on September 24th, singer songwriter Kirk McElhinney on October 8th and on October 23rd the extraordinary film Sklonište about the 1994 siege of Sarajevo with live music by Ailís Ní Ríain.

There's more information about all events and how to get to Wainsgate at www.wainsgate.co.uk.