GIGS:
30th July -Ealing Jazz Festival - "Jazz Umbrella" marquee, 7 pm
8th August -Oxford Festival, 7pm
2nd September -Spice of Life, Cambridge Circus W1 , 8-11pm
28th October - Spice of Life, Cambridge Circus W1, 8-11pm

Paradise Jazz Festival 8th -12th September 2004, Cyprus
8th September, 19.30, Pissouri Amphitheatre, Limassol
9th September, 14.30, Polis Beach Campsite, Polis
11th September, 19.30, Paradise Place, Pomos

For future gigs watch this space!

The new CD on Gailforce records is entitled PUT THE CAT OUT and is available from www.jazzcds.co.uk and from Ray's Jazz Shop at Foyles Bookstore, 113-119 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H OEB. Tel 020 7437 5660, www.foyles.co.uk

 

 

GROOVEYARD EUROPEAN SUCCESS STORY!

Since recording the CD the band has gone on to win the highly coveted Best European Jazz Group Award in the 2003 Granada Jazz Festival (Spain), with part of the prize being the recording of a brand new album (currently in production) to be distributed in the summer of 2004 throughout Europe and America and limited-editions in the UK WATCH THIS SPACE! Also gigs are being planned in Granada to promote the new CD sometime this year. To book the band contact Gareth at glockrane@yahoo.co.uk

 

Reviews for 'Put The Cat Out'

From the opening rapid-fire tenor sax/flute octave doublings of the title track it's immediately apparent that this recording is something very special indeed.

Winner of the 'Best Jazz Group of Europe' award at the 2003 Granada Jazz Festival, there is a deliciously dark and grainy quality to Grooveyard's music, much of it down to the alchemical reaction of Whittaker's Hammond organ against Outram's guitar. Providing the backbeats, Gordan proves what an incredibly neat and disciplined player he is - 'Stutterfunk' and 'Grooverider' being prime examples - locking in tight with the two harmony players while managing to resist the kind of over-elaboration that only clouds the groove.

Lockrane's flute work is exceptional, combining a relaxed fluidity on the one hand with an acute adventurousness on the other. Garnett's big tone, rich timbre and rhytmic incisiveness (and great soloing on Lock-Up!) invariably serves to send the band into overdrive. Outram's performance gives yet another indication as to why he is in such demand at the moment, whether it's his rock-solid time and on-the-money comping, versatility across a range of settings, or his subtly expressive soloing. (4 stars)
Peter Quinn - Jazzwise Magazine March 2004

 

Put the Cat Out is a burning set by Grooveyard, a group of young veterans of British jazz led by flautist Gareth Lockrane and saxophonist Alex Garnett. As the name suggests, this is a hard-swinging band who know how to get low-down and funky when required.

The accomplished and articulate playing of Lockrane reveals why many feel he is a new star on his instrument. Tenor saxophonist Garnett, who also doubles here on baritone, is developing an interesting and individual voice, and guitarist Mike Outram is in blistering form throughout.

Gareth's writing and arranging skills are also ably demonstrated in a well crafted bunch of Lockrane originals which allow each player to make telling contributions. The groove in Grooveyard comes from the rhythm section of organist Pete Whittaker and drummer Tom Gordon who take the tradition towards the transition wi9th power and sensitivity.

A great debut.
Jim Mullen. June 2003