Solstice at Colchester Arts Centre Jazz Club

The prodigiously talented pianist John Turville has gathered together established fellow East London-based musicians Tori Freestone (Saxes, Flute), Brigitte Beraha (Vocals), Jez Franks (Guitar), Dave Manington (Double Bass) and George Hart (Drums), to form an exciting new jazz-prog-folk ensemble, Solstice.
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While retaining a uniquely British identity, Solstice’s repertoire is influenced by the sounds of downtown New York, Latin America, Brazil and France, and jazz musicians such as Chick Corea, Hermeto Pascoal, Edward Simon and Pierre de Bethmann.

The end result is music that’s lyrical, mellow, invigorating and uplifting - witness their acclaimed 2016 debut CD, Alimentation, which features sophisticated yet accessible melodically-led originals, and includes playful numbers such as the intriguingly titled lead single Ultimate Big Cheese and Avocado Deficit....

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The prodigiously talented pianist John Turville has gathered together established fellow East London-based musicians Tori Freestone (Saxes, Flute), Brigitte Beraha (Vocals), Jez Franks (Guitar), Dave Manington (Double Bass) and George Hart (Drums), to form an exciting new jazz-prog-folk ensemble, Solstice.
​
While retaining a uniquely British identity, Solstice’s repertoire is influenced by the sounds of downtown New York, Latin America, Brazil and France, and jazz musicians such as Chick Corea, Hermeto Pascoal, Edward Simon and Pierre de Bethmann.

The end result is music that’s lyrical, mellow, invigorating and uplifting - witness their acclaimed 2016 debut CD, Alimentation, which features sophisticated yet accessible melodically-led originals, and includes playful numbers such as the intriguingly titled lead single Ultimate Big Cheese and Avocado Deficit.
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This is what fellow musician (and currently Pat Metheny's first choice pianist) Gwilym Simcock said about the CD when he first heard it: "Alimentation has a warmth and humanity that transcends the term 'Jazz', underpinned by six master musicians: a driving yet expansive rhythm section and a frontline that gives endless possibilities for different textures and moods.

"Refreshingly joyous music . . . led by the heart, that grips you from the first minute to the last and provides you with new delights each time you listen."

"Alimentation is a joy from beginning to end." – Adrian Pallant, AP Reviews
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"Creative, copiously inventive, lyrically fresh originals, suggesting Flora Purim, Norma Winstone, Azimuth – and the free spirit of Hermeto Pascoal.” – John Fordham, The Guardian *****
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"The essence of Solstice is that adage, '. . . the sum of the parts . . .', and it is the way that group stick together, share ideas and bounce them around that brought out the very best of these exceptional musicians on stage." – Geoff Winston's live review for London Jazz News
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“Alimentation represents an excellent début from this well balanced ensemble. Solstice place a strong focus on melody, and in the main the music on this album is uplifting and infectious in its joyousness." – The JazzMann

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