By: Roy Stevens - Mon, April 18, 2011

After such a promising debut at the Chapel at No.1, Shakespeare Street Stratford Jazz fans will no doubt concur with the view of Jazzwise magazine which named the JJ Wheeler quintet as the band to watch in 2011.

This quintet formed at the Birmingham Conservatoire takes its inspiration from such a wide spectrum of sources making it difficult to categorise their particular style. When a band starts off with Joe Henderson’s 'Shade of Jade' and for the second number dives into Radioheads 'Right Place' you know you are in for a jazz evening with a difference. It proved to be just that with the remainder of the evening based on JJ’s original works, which showed him to be a skilful and innovative composer.

JJ on drums is certainly the driving force of this excellent combo which has two talented saxes on the front line in Chris Maddock on alto and Charlie Portas on tenor, ably supported by Ralph Brown on piano and Tom Moore on bass. JJ’s arrangements are absorbing and challenging but this tight knit youthful band were well up to the task.

This is a fine contemporary jazz group which is not afraid to push the boundaries of their music, it is also refreshing to see them drawing the majority of their inspiration from the creative prog rock era rather than an over emphasis on the what is known as; 'The Great American Songbook'.

There will be NO JAZZ at The Chapel at No.1, Shakespeare Street on Easter Sunday, 24th April. The next performance will be on Sunday, 1st May, when the popular Ben Markland Quartet takes centre stage. Performances start at 8pm. For more info visit: www.stratfordjazz.org.uk

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