Music Spoken Here presents Chube
+live DJ sets from Steve ‘Moore Fe Jazz’
The Marr’s Bar, Worcester
Thursday 14th November 2024, 8pm
The harp is usually associated with classical and folk music, but recently this magnificent and imposing instrument is becoming popular in jazz and contemporary improvised music. Perhaps the most famous jazz harpist was Alice Coltrane, wife of legendary saxophonist John Coltrane, but arguably the woman who has done the most to push the harp to the front and centre of contemporary improvised music this century is London-based Alina Bhzezhinska, with her Hip Harp Collective and notable collaboration with saxophonist Tony Kofi. Just last week I discovered another harpist Amanda Whiting, when I saw her trio preform a jazz-fusion set at the Jazz Promotion Network conference in Bristol.
Putting the harp to similar use is Cardiff-based Ben Creighton Griffiths, an Internationally touring jazz and classical harpist. Originally classically trained, he now specialises in jazz both as a soloist and with his bands – the Transatlantic Hot Club and Chube. His career has taken him across Europe and around the world, from Canada, USA and the Caribbean to Hong Kong, India and Brazil, collaborating with excellent musicians in both the classical and jazz world. As well as a performer he is a composer, most recently developing a concert schedule for his own Concerto for Jazz Harp & Symphony Orchestra.
Chube comprises Ben on harp and keyboards, joined by Ashley John Long on electric and double bass and Jon Bradford-Jones on drums. Combining the distinct acoustic sound of the instrument with modern electronic effects, Chube have created new and rearranged contemporary music that rocks, grooves and swings. They released their first EP ‘Chube’ in 2018 and followed up with two singles – ‘Ligma’ and ‘Salty Tongue’ – in 2020 and a second EP ‘Electro-acoustic Boogaloo’ last year.
In 2019 they performed at the Wall2Wall Jazz Festival with trombonist Dennis Rollins, who praised their “Great contrasts and energies”, noting that “the versatility in instrumentation makes for a big sound too. Three sounding like seven!”
In his review of that performance, Ian Mann (thejazzmann.com) said “They have the potential to appeal to a broad audience, including adventurous rock listeners. Jazz, rock and electronics were all promised, and all were brilliantly delivered by this unique quartet, an alliance that may yet prove to be more than just a one off.”
Music Spoken Here is delighted to present Chube at The Marr’s Bar, Worcester on Thursday 14th November. Doors open at 8pm, with DJ Steve ‘Moore Fe Jazz’ spinning the latest jazz, fusion Latin, jazz-funk and jazz house. You don’t need tickets – admission for all Music Spoken Here events is ‘pay what you can’ on the door.
All those who venture out into the cold, dark autumnal evening on Thursday will be warmly rewarded at The Marr’s Bar with something I’m sure will be quite exceptional.
Photo Credit ELLIOT COOPER