The psychedelic underground of the 60s spawned a number of bands that together made up the the Canterbury scene. Foremost amongst them was Soft Machine, who slowly mutated from art-rockers into full-on jazz fusion, albeit with a distinctive heavy tread that meant they were marketed alongside progressive rock acts. Soft Machine's line-up evolved throughout its life. This band features the classic rhythm section of Hugh Hopper, the bass player most closely associated with the classic sound of Soft Machine between 1968 and 1973, and John Marshall who occupied the drum chair from 1971 to 1979. Late period Soft's guitarist John Etheridge (1975 – 1978) joins the fray. Sadly, the death of Elton Dean in February has deprived us of the saxophonist most closely associated with the band. His place has been taken by the very able Theo Travis, whose work has included stints with Gong. This concert is dedicated to Elton Dean.
Hugh Hopper electric bass
John Marshall drums
John Etheridge electric guitar
Theo Travis sax, flute, loops, effects
Richard Sinclair is fondly remembered from the music of Caravan, Hatfield and the North and Camel during the 1970s as co writer, electric fretless bass player and vocalist with those groups. Since then he has continued to perform to audiences around the world as a solo artist as well as in groups of his own making. Richard's music is an amalgam of jazz, folk music, early 20th century classical music and Anglican church hymnery – all done up with rock instruments and amplification. His songs too, sung in a style that is almost conversational, are highly individual. It's a combination that has which has positively stood the test of time and taste. Richard will be performing for with two Canterbury friends, David Rees Williams piano and Tony Coe clarinet/sax with Coventrian Mark Fletcher on drums. Tony Coe, of course, is one of the UK's leading jazz musicians – the first non-American to receive the largest award in jazz Danish Jazzpar prize – a hypnotically melodic and compelling performer on both clarinet and saxes.
Richard Sinclair vocals, bass
David Rees Williams piano
Tony Coe clarinet/sax
Mark Fletcher drums
This is a rare UK performance for Cadiz-born Sergio Monroy, who has developed a unique synthesis of flamenco and piano music. His debut album has been acclaimed in the new flamenco community for its freshness and accessibility, wedding flamenco with jazz. Sergio fuses all the components of flamenco – the guitar, the palmas (hand-clapping) and the voice – without imitating them, bringing all the piano's melodic resources, rhythm and harmony into play.