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JITR Jan: Empirical, Pedro Velasco + Emily Tran
EMPIRICAL @empiricalmusic
Featuring Nathaniel Facey (alto sax), Tom Farmer (double bass), Lewis Wright (vibraphone) and Shaney Forbes (drums), the quartet bonded through a sense of common purpose: “I’d never met guys who took it so seriously. The process of studying together is really what brought us together, and we just carried on doing it” recalls Tom Farmer. Collective study and exploration has remained the bedrock of Empirical’s creative process and has seen the band assimilate influences from right across the rich history of jazz. While oblique harmonies, translucent textures and jagged, quick shifting rhythms are the signposts of Empirical’s musical territory, the band has not been afraid to explore other musical realms. Alongside their ceaselessly fearless creative fervour, Empirical have succeeded in establishing an instantly recognisable group sound that is rife with raw energy and roiling emotion. Despite the intellectualism often ascribed to jazz, for Empirical, it’s ultimately all about moving, rather than impressing, their audience.
PEDRO VELASCO @pedrovelascomusic
Pedro Velasco is a London-based guitarist who specialises in improvised music. Born in Lisbon, Portugal, he began playing piano at age nine and, inspired by the Brazilian music he was surrounded by at home, picked up a guitar at age 12. Under the tutelage of renowned Portuguese guitarist Mario Delgado, he began turning to the sounds of jazz and improvised music. He moved to London in 2003 to study at Middlesex University with Nikki Iles, Chris Batchelor and Stuart Hall and in 2007 he graduated with a first-class honours degree in Music (Jazz Performance). He performs prolifically across the UK, and Europe with several projects including Harry Christelis and Pedro Velasco duo who recently released their debut album Scribbling to critical acclaim.
Featuring Nathaniel Facey (alto sax), Tom Farmer (double bass), Lewis Wright (vibraphone) and Shaney Forbes (drums), the quartet bonded through a sense of common purpose: “I’d never met guys who took it so seriously. The process of studying together is really what brought us together, and we just carried on doing it” recalls Tom Farmer. Collective study and exploration has remained the bedrock of Empirical’s creative process and has seen the band assimilate influences from right across the rich history of jazz. While oblique harmonies, translucent textures and jagged, quick shifting rhythms are the signposts of Empirical’s musical territory, the band has not been afraid to explore other musical realms. Alongside their ceaselessly fearless creative fervour, Empirical have succeeded in establishing an instantly recognisable group sound that is rife with raw energy and roiling emotion. Despite the intellectualism often ascribed to jazz, for Empirical, it’s ultimately all about moving, rather than impressing, their audience.
PEDRO VELASCO @pedrovelascomusic
Pedro Velasco is a London-based guitarist who specialises in improvised music. Born in Lisbon, Portugal, he began playing piano at age nine and, inspired by the Brazilian music he was surrounded by at home, picked up a guitar at age 12. Under the tutelage of renowned Portuguese guitarist Mario Delgado, he began turning to the sounds of jazz and improvised music. He moved to London in 2003 to study at Middlesex University with Nikki Iles, Chris Batchelor and Stuart Hall and in 2007 he graduated with a first-class honours degree in Music (Jazz Performance). He performs prolifically across the UK, and Europe with several projects including Harry Christelis and Pedro Velasco duo who recently released their debut album Scribbling to critical acclaim.
Monday 27 January
The Cockpit, Gateforth Street, London NW8 8EH
Standard: £15Students / MU members: Half Price
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