Classical music and jazz: New weekly jazz sessions at Kilburn's North London Tavern
Published: 1 April 2010
by SEBASTIAN TAYLOR
A NEW weekly jazz session in Kilburn is having its first night on Sunday at the North London Tavern in Kilburn High Road, a stone’s throw from the Tricycle Theatre.
The Mark Crown Quintet, formed by the eponymous Hampstead trumpeter, is launching the new “jazz@theNLT” haunt for Kilburnians and his quartet is to be followed by other young jazz musicians, several with local connections.
Three Kilburn jazz musicians are behind the new venture: trumpeter Jack Davies, pianist Tom Taylor and drummer Jon Ormston – they’re three-quarters of the highly regarded Southbound contemporary jazz quartet.
“We’ve set the night up as an outlet for the huge amount of local young talent as there aren’t enough venues to play in,” says Jack Davies. “We believe there’s a huge audience for jazz in north London. The Vortex, for instance, consistently draws large crowds in Dalston and jazz is popular at various pubs.
“We’re just down the road from the Tricycle, the hub of arts activity in Kilburn. The most important draw of jazz at the NLT will be the consistent high quality of the bands we’re putting on.
“Each is a group of local jazz musicians with a story to tell and the instrumental virtuosity to back that story up.”
Other bands expected to follow in Mark Crown’s footsteps are The Alex Munk Quartet, Tom Stone Nonet, Mark Perry Quintet, Dagda Quartet and Jess Berry Quartet.
Check out the gigs at myspace.com/jazzthenlt
• Mark Crown Quintet is at the North London Tavern, 375 Kilburn High Road, NW6, on April 4, 7pm, £5, 07941 962356