The Gareth Lockrane Septet

The Gareth Lockrane Septet was formed in 2005 and in addition to Gareth on all the flutes, the band features some of the finest jazz musicians in the country - Robbie Robson (trumpet/flugelhorn), Steve Kaldestad (tenor sax), Trevor Mires (trombone/euphonium), Robin Aspland (piano), Matt Miles (double bass), Matt Home (drums).

The band was conceived when Gareth suddenly had a lot of time on his hands in autumn 2004 due to a wrist injury involving Cyprus, a few too many brandys and a steep cliff (or grassy knoll according to some witnesses) that put him out of playing action for 3 months, so he left the flute in the case and decided to write the material for a larger band that could allow the improvising talents of the individual players to flourish in the context of richly scored compositions and arrangements. Originally inspired by a lesson with the great New York tenor player (and nonet leader) Walt Weiskopf and also by the records of Thad Jones, Kenny Wheeler, Bill Holman, Jim McNeely, Jimmy Heath, Herbie Hancock and many other fine practitioners of the large/small group approach, the septet features Gareth's dynamic original compositions which draw on influences ranging from contemporary jazz, gospel and world music.

They have recorded an album,currently being mastered and due to be released in 2009.

Between them the members of the Septet have performed/recorded with Kenny Wheeler, Bheki Mseleku, Pete King, Hans Koller, Anita Wardell, Bobby Watson, Steve Grossman, Jim Mullen, Sam Rivers, Donald Harrison, Grooveyard, Matt Wates Sextet, Jazz Jamaica, The James Taylor Quartet and the Gwilym Simcock Nonet/Big Band.

Click the links below to see films of the septet in action!

Roots

Dark Swinger

Minor Move

Surf's Up (1st half)

Surf's Up (2nd half)