We bring you a stunning programme of free improvisation to start 2015 in our new regular afternoon slot. N.B Doors open at 2.00 pm 14.00hr Hannah Marshall (cello) & Josep Maria Balanya (piano) Matthias Boss (violin), Marcello Magliocchi (percussion) & Marcio Mattos (cello) Rachel Musson (saxophone) Alan Tomlinson trio – Alan Tomlinson (trombone), Dave Tucker (guitar) & Phil Marks (drums)

A highlight on the improvising calendar, it’s that time of year again for the delights of our Christmas party. A chance to hook up with old friends and meet new ones, it’s a great way to see some fine musicians in a more informal setting and experience the wide variety to be found in this music. This year’s event takes place in the afternoon, and heralds a move to afternoon concerts – still on the third Sunday of the month – in 2015.

To coincide with the London Jazz Festival we have programmed four sets of excellent music from the freer end of things. Martin Speake (sax) & Mark Sanders (drums, percussion) Richard Scott’s Lightning Ensemble – Richard Scott (buchla lightning, wigi electronics), Adam Linson (bass), Phil Marks (percussion), David Birchall (guitar) Kay Grant (voice) & Marcio Mattos (cello) Phil Wachsmann (violin) & Matt Hutchinson (piano)

This month’s Mopomoso programme of free improvised music features musicians from Japan, Belgium, France and the UK in three contrasting and inspiring trios. Yoko Miura (piano), Jean Michel van Shouwburg (voice) & Lawrence Casserley (electronics) trio Tokyo based Yoko Miura plays a music of poise and elegance that reflects her feelings on the natural world. With live sound manipulations from the ever attentive (and inventive) Casserley, the whole is annotated by the vocal pyrotechnics of van Schouwburg.

Emilio Gordoa (vibes) & Roland Ramanan (trumpet) Vibraphonist, percussionist Gordoa is ‘redefining the vibraphone as a source, treating it with preparations and extended techniques’. Based in Berlin, he is busy in many areas of creative music making both as a player and composer. Ramanan is a vital presence on the London improvised music scene. Constantly exploring the boundaries between composition and improvisation as well as the sound possibilities of the trumpet, he has worked with musicians as divers as Peter Brotzmann and Alex Ward and has been an integral part of the London Improvisers Orchestra since its inception.

FÊTE QUAQUA 2014 Since it’s inception in 1982 guitarist John Russell’s Fete Quaqua has brought together different musicians from around the world to share in a programme of free improvisation. Although some of the musicians have never played together before there are always existing collaborative strands to be found within the larger group. It is this development of existing traditions alongside the juxtaposition of previously divergent elements that Russell believes provide a fertile base for the musician’s improvisations.

QUAQUA ANGLO AUSTRIA With thanks to the Austrian Cultural Forum we present a two night Anglo Austrian improvised music meeting with Steve Beresford (piano / electronics) / Tanja Feichtmair (sax) / Satoko Fukuda (violin) / Henry Lowther (trumpet) / Maggie Nichols (voice) / Mario Rechtern (sax) / John Russell (guitar) / Roger Turner (drums / percussion) / Mia Zabelka (violin / voice). Each night will have a different programme of smaller combinations and also feature a large group with everyone playing together.

Presenting an intriguing “concert in two halves” with the first half from the Portfolio Improvisers group and the second featuring three fine guitar players from the UK, France and Canada. Part One – Portfolio Improvisers: Seth Bennett (bass), Shaun Blezard (electronics), Anton Hunter (guitar), Rachel Musson (saxophone), Shelly Knotts (electronics), Julie Kjaer (saxophone, flute) led by Steve Beresford (piano) We are delighted to be hosting this excellent scheme with many thanks to Sound and Music.

An evening featuring four established duos from the finest in free improvisation Chris Burn (trumpets), Matt Hutchinson (piano) Jim Dvorak (trumpet), Harrison Smith (saxophone) SQ – Paul Pignon (single reeds and electronics) & Thomas Bjelkeborn (electronics) We gratefully acknowledge financial assistance from The Swedish Arts Council towards this appearance. Phil Minton (voice) & John Russell (guitar)

Owing to technical problems we have no video or audio recordings of this concert. So in the words of Eric Dolphy, “When you hear music, after it’s over, it’s gone in the air. You can never capture it again.” Neil Metcalfe (flute), Daniel Thompson (guitar) Highly musical and non demonstrative duo that gets to the core of what it means to improvise. Close listening and a fine attention to detail coupled with a firm technical grasp make for an intimate and highly charged listening experience.

Mopomoso presents ‘Debuts’ The groups playing on this concert were all making their Mopomoso debuts. Utter Chaos – Andrea Caputo (guitar) & Massimo Semprini (sax) Stephen Grew (piano) Nick Malcolm (trumpet), Hannah Marshall (cello) & Lauren Kinsella (voice) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op5gzdxv61c John Russell (guitar) & Kay Grant (voice)

Trio Rewind – Noel Taylor (bass /soprano clarinets), Tom Wheatley (bass), John Garcia (tiplé) with guest Tommaso Vespo (piano) Wire Assembly – Ian Simpson (electric guitar), John Jasnoch (electric guitar) & Neil Carver (electric guitar) Alice Eldridge (cello), Satoko Fukuda (violin) & John Russell (guitar)