Jazzlive@The Crypt

This band brings together ideas and people in an attempt to speak with one voice through the language of improvisation, in all its expressions. A collective mind that hears overlapping rhythms and melodies. Influenced by the coloured patchwork of William Parker, the earthly lyricism of Victor Jara, the dark clouds of Morphine and the gentle brilliance of Bill Frisell. Colin Somervell grew up in Chile and studied jazz in Birmingham and London. He has played music from Greece and Turkey, prog-math-rock as well as freely improvised music. Chris Williams: alto sax Mike Soper: trumpet Colin Somervell: double Bass Jay Davis: drums

Kevin Davy has been at the forefront of Modern UK jazz leaning towards the modal approach to jazz and improvised music. Citing influences such as trumpeters; Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Hannibal Lokumbe, Lester Bowie, and Don Cherry. He is best known for international touring and recording with Lamb, Adam F, Two Banks of Four, Lemn Sissay (Secret Society), Afrika Afrika , Finley Quaye and Cymande as well as his own groups, KDQ and D'semble. Kevin has performed all over the world on legendary jazz festivals such as; Montreux, North Sea, Ealing Jazz, New York's revered Summerstage, Central Park, Manhattan as well as prestigious venues. Davy's composition employs strong melodic content, an urban edge, and elements from Nu Jazz, harmony from blues, gospel, and the Near-East. Kevin Davy, on Trumpet/flugelhorn and effects, leader compositions Jason Simpson on Double Bass and Moog Bass Sheldon Agwu on guitar Brian Hedemann on drums Chris Jerome on piano

The Maydan Ensemble of the North London Jazz Collective is a quintet that blends modern jazz with Arabic, Anatolian and Persian folk music. Having formed at the start of 2025, they have wowed audiences, selling out multiple venues across UK and beyond, including Palestine House and the Green Note, as well as recently headlining Zoot Fest in Pairs, and Zeman World Music Festival in Serbia. They are a fully international group comprising some of London’s busiest jazz musicians in a unique setting: • From Egypt, the rising-star vocalist Amena • Acclaimed Irish-Iranian jazz guitarist Kourosh Kanani • Italian-English bassist and stalwart of the London jazz scene Lorenzo Morabito (Giacomo Smith, Peter Horsfall, Mark Kavuma etc); • Londoner and co-founder of the NLJC, Robbie Ellison on drums. The group explores the intersection of jazz and a bricolage of Middle Eastern musical traditions from two perspectives: that of material from the jazz canon inspired by West Asia; and that of the group's own jazz-flavoured arrangements and renditions of Arabic, Anatolian and Persian folk tunes. ’Maydan’ means ‘town square’ or ‘public meeting-place’. Originating in Farsi, the word now finds usage in Arabic, Turkish, Urdu, Georgian and Ukrainian. In taking this name, the group recognises first and foremost that diverse musical traditions find commonality by their grounding in communal life and social practice, while embracing the subversive political potential of music as a collective, convivial act.

On SATURDAY 14th November we present Daense. Daense is a Brussels based band exploring the density of colours and sounds found in music while focusing on the dancing desires encountered when hearing a good groove, bass line or guitar riff. Although the five musicians of the band have different musical backgrounds they share a love in common for funk, soul, rnb, jazz and jazz fusion. The compositions they play reflect those influences while bringing a contemporary touch. With Olivier Penu on drums, Federico Pecoraro on bass, Lorenzo Kobina. on keys, Florent Jeunieaux on guitar and Arnaud Guichard on tenor sax. We are pleased to welcome back Arnaud Guichard who will be familiar to Crypt regulars. When resident in London Arnaud led our monthly jam session, dazzled us on many occasions with bands that featured his own compositions, and has continued to bring outstanding ensemble to the Crypt since moving back to Belgium. We are glad to have him back, and his group, for this special concert.

Smiodair — Irish for fragments or small broken pieces — is an international quartet playing original music that moves constantly between composition and improvisation. Thunderous grooves collide with dreamlike sonic landscapes; without a harmony instrument, the music is raw and direct, rich in melody and rhythm. The name also reflects the musicians’ paths, diverging and reconnecting across London, Paris, Dublin, New York and Berlin. Saxophonist Robin Fincker and drummer Dave Smith have collaborated for over twenty years, from the Loop Collective to Outhouse, Ruhabi and Splice. Bassist Simon Jermyn first crossed paths with them through Dublin’s Bottlenote Collective and the Loop Collective in 2006, before spending a decade in New York and later moving to Berlin. Celebrated trumpeter Laura Jurd joined the group for their 2026 UK tour, expanding Smiodair to a quartet. Their debut album is planned for release in 2027.

Grupo Martillada is vibraphonist Dave Hammer’s sextet with the BIG sound! Combining contemporary Nu Yorican sophistication with the classics of Latin jazz a la Tito Puente and Cal Tjader, It’s the sound of percussive rhythm-melodic energy! The band has come together from across the musical spectrum and literally from around the world of salsa, pop, soul and the jazz legacy. And what’s more as a special bonus, Martillada welcomes singer Juan Pachanga! Performing a blend of traditional classics to today’s smash Latin hits, it’s designed for your moving and grooving pleasure! Features: Dave Hammer (USA/UK) - vibraphone/percussion/vocals Roberto Pla (Colombia/UK)- timbales/percussion Satin Singh (India/UK) -congas Kinacho Suarez (Colombia/UK) - Bass Lily Ahvenaimem (Finland/UK) - piano Juan Pachanga - featured Vocals/percussion

British-Sicilian trombonist and composer Laura Impallomeni puts the trombone front and centre with her original contemporary jazz fusion. Her music moves freely between odd-metre adventures, deep bass-heavy grooves and hard-swinging passages, drawing on hard bop and global jazz influences along the way. Laura Impallomeni – trombone Ezekiel Ajie – double and electric bass Zoe Pascal – drums Akil Henry - piano and keyboards James Akers – tenor saxophone