Kevin Fitzsimmons Sextet At Jazz Mix @The Cliffs Pavilion at Cliffs Pavilion

Charismatic Kevin Fitzsimmons is one of the most individual male jazz voices to emerge on the UK jazz scene recently (his ‘Show Me The Way’ album was released to critical acclaim last year), and with a reputation for a seemingly endless supply of subtle wit and ad-lib he immediately draws an audience in. Together with his respected band (top mainstream & modern bebop names described in Fitzsimmons’ album review by Jazzwise Magazine as “the cream of UK straight-ahead jazz musicians”) they blend West Coast cool, hard swinging, blues-tinged ballads, all in the space of a relentlessly entertaining set. ...

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Charismatic Kevin Fitzsimmons is one of the most individual male jazz voices to emerge on the UK jazz scene recently (his ‘Show Me The Way’ album was released to critical acclaim last year), and with a reputation for a seemingly endless supply of subtle wit and ad-lib he immediately draws an audience in. Together with his respected band (top mainstream & modern bebop names described in Fitzsimmons’ album review by Jazzwise Magazine as “the cream of UK straight-ahead jazz musicians”) they blend West Coast cool, hard swinging, blues-tinged ballads, all in the space of a relentlessly entertaining set.

Like their recent album testifies, Kevin Fitzsimmons’ Jazzwurx project presents carefully-chosen material, reconstituted with taste and verve. Combining sassy new takes on standards by likes of Mercer, Strayhorn, Jobim, Legrand, Ellington, Porter, with new jazz translations of anthems from likes of The Beatles, John Martyn, Sam Cooke, Billy Preston, Paul Weller to name a few plus one or two originals (some co-written by Fitzsimmons with Jools Holland saxophonist Derek Nash & also with pianist Leon Greening, a player whose blistering style quickly gave him a reputation as one of the country's most outstanding players).

“Lovers of the jazz vocal mainstream have another star to follow” – JAZZWISE MAGAZINE

“A very encouraging sign that modern jazz and male vocals are not incompatible” – UKVIBE (JAZZ CULTURE ONLINE)

“Shows he is a thoroughbred jazz singer and can even swing a superior rock song such as “Paul Weller’s ‘You Do Something To Me” – MARLBANK

“Reminiscent of Kurt Elling in that Fitzsimmons isn’t afraid to nonchalantly wander off the melody line while still capturing the song’s essence” – JAZZWISE MAGAZINE

“Unique interpretations, superb presence., unique personality. A brilliant gig” - MOREOPINIONS (JAZZNIGHTS) Blog

“pianist Leon Greening epitomises the assured confidence of a new generation. Catch him when you can” – JAZZ JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

“Derek Nash is one of the most versatile saxophonists in the UK today" - THE GUARDIAN

“Steve Fishwick’s trumpet crackles with energy. There are other young bands playing in this genre but few with such panache.” DAVE GELLY, THE OBSERVER

“drummer Matt Fishwick…equally impressive”- DAVE GELLY, THE OBSERVER

Band’s Website: www.jazzwurx.co.uk

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