When the 21-year-old Rob Luft sat in for John Parricelli for a few nights during Loose Tubes’ reunion set at Ronnie Scott’s in 2014, the spark of an idea kindled. A few years later that inner mounting flame took the form of what Eddie describes as a “posh covers band”, playing modern classics by John McLaughlin, Keith Jarrett, Kenny Wheeler and John Taylor. Alongside his internationally acclaimed jazz flute playing Eddie is a superlative pianist and keyboard player (“my Dad started me on piano when I was 4”, he says), and the band is also a vehicle for this hitherto largely unknown side. After some deliberation on what to call the band and with a brand-new original set composed by Eddie, Airborn was born.
Eddie Parker: Flutes, Keyboards, Piano - ‘World-class flute player, fine composer, inspiring bandleader’ - The Times
“relaxed, informal yet unpretentiously musicianly, all presented with warmth and good humour” - Chris Parker
“Eddie Parker has a deliciously rich coppery tone, tells subtle stories in his solos, and is a fine composer into the bargain – John Fordham
Rob Luft: Guitar "thoughtfully virtuosic head-turner" - The Guardian;
"an original guitarist to be prized" - The Irish Times
“One of the most exciting young jazz musicians to have emerged on the UK jazz scene.” BBC Radio 3
Dave Manington: double bass - founder member of Loop Collective, nominated for Ivor Novello Award 2022
Jay Davis: Drums - “An intelligent and impressive presence” – The Jazz Mann
Lorenz Okello - a record producer, songwriter, musician, sound designer, and artist; who is interested in a vast pool of musical tastes and sonics. Bringing an eccentric and refined approach to the music they touch, while letting their multiple influences flow. Lorenz is highly trusted by their collaborators and within the community of the London music scene. They spend their time between the studio and stage to symbiotically bring together all the music-making stages. Their work has been featured on many platforms including the FIFA 21 Soundtrack.
This solo endeavour is a liberating journey into crafting sonic worlds in real-time. Using only synths, a drum machine, and a piano, exploring the boundless possibilities of building ideas from scratch. After a successful inaugural performance at World Heart Beat Nine Elms, this is simply a continuation of that exploration.
One of our favourite vocalists is back at The Crypt with her brilliant quartet.
Voted Best Vocalist in the British Jazz Awards 2019, Sara Dowling is gaining fame as one of the most talented jazz singers around. She first trained as a cellist at Chetham’s and the RNCM, before emerging as a powerful and expressive jazz vocalist and composer. Her most important influences are Betty Carter and Sarah Vaughan.
Although her vocal approach is steeped in the jazz idiom and its repertoire, Sara is now coming forth with her own original sound that resonates in her compositions as well as her unique approach to standards.
For tonight's concert Sara is joined by the incredible Dario Di Lecce on bass, Steve Brown on drums and Mátyás Gayer on piano.
“Rarely does a jazz singer grace our scene with such breathtaking authenticity and natural flair. Dowling is this thing.” - IAN SHAW
The Emily Francis Trio are excited to be bringing their unique brand of prog-jazz for their debut appearance here at The Crypt.
Marking their 10th anniversary, 2024 sees the launch of a brand new EP which captures their melodic, intense, genre-bending style, and immersive, hard-hitting interplay. The group are also celebrating their 10th year with a special vinyl remastered release of their first album, The Absent.
This show will feature material from both the new EP and The Absent, as well as music from the highly regarded album, LUMA.
Led by keyboardist Emily Francis (fresh from touring with Toyah Willcox and King Crimson founder Robert Fripp) and featuring writing collaborator and bass maestro Trevor Boxall, and drum superstar Jamie Murray, the band fuses their own style of high-energy, melodically-driven jazz with sounds from the worlds of progressive rock and pop, electronic music, and influences spanning the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
Their music was described as “a thing of rare beauty” by Jazzwises’s Nick Hasted and influences include artists from the current US electro-jazz scene, such as Donny McCaslin, Kneebody and FORQ, prog supremos Pink Floyd, Genesis, and Peter Gabriel, and jazz icons Herbie Hancock, Brad Mehldau, and Avishai Cohen.
Never wanting to remain still, the band continue to push sonic boundaries, delivering a high impact show from beginning to end.Emily Francis - Keyboards, Trevor Boxall - Bass, Jamie Murray - Drums.
“Francis transcends her many influences to create a sound that is very much her own, skilfully blending acoustic and electric elements to create a rich tapestry” The Jazz Mann
