The W Album Launch

Sun 8th May 7pm

Ninety One Living Room

General Admission £12.50 in advance / £15 on the door

Concession (-26 years old/Students) £7.50 in advance / £10 on the door

About The W

The W is Bruno Heinen‘s new London-based contemporary jazz group. Like the four equal lines that make up the letter ‘W’, the four members of the group come together as one voice in performance. The band features Heidi Vogel (Cinematic Orchestra) on wordless vocals, Andrea Di Biase (Kenny Wheeler) on double bass, Gene Calderazzo (Pharaoh Sanders) on drums and Bruno on piano.

They are a band in the true sense of the word. They meet regularly, learning the music by heart and shaping Bruno’s compositions together. The compositions themselves have a story to tell, each one based on a single idea/concept, and written with melody at the forefront. Bruno, Andrea and Gene have been working together for many years. The addition of Heidi Vogel brings another layer of depth and lyricism to the music. “I’ve been working with Heidi in her own groups for over 10years”,says Bruno. “I’ve always wanted to include her in a project of my own, and from the first time she sang with us, it just felt right. Her soul and range are extraordinary, especially without words: I can write as if I were composing for trombone, trumpet, or operatic soprano.”

On Sunday 8th May it is with great pleasure that we welcome The W to the living room stage for the launch of their new album.

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About the group

Bruno Heinen is a London-based contemporary improvising pianist, composer and educator. He is professor of jazz piano and composition at Trinity Laban Conservatoire. Bruno has released eight albums under his own name to date, with the Guardian describing his music as “eclectic, eccentric and unobtrusively erudite”. Bruno has worked with artists such as Shabaka Hutchings, Julian Siegel, Jean Toussaint, Julian Arguelles, Denys Baptiste, Reem Kelani, Larry Bartley, Tony Kofi, Rod Youngs, and Winston Clifford, amongst others. Bruno has performed in venues and festivals worldwide, and has had his music played on BBC radio 3, Jazz LineUp, Late Junction, BBC6 Music, BBC Scotland, in Italy, Germany, Austria, Canada, and the USA, as well as giving live broadcasts and interviews for the BBC and Rai 3 Italy.

Heidi Vogel made her professional debut touring with Cirque du Soleil, establishing herself as a mainstay of the London and LA jazz and soul scenes. She then joined The Cinematic Orchestra(Ninja Tune) as lead vocalist, and has toured extensively with the group for over 5 years. By 2007, Vogel had toured throughout the USA, Australia, South Africa, Canada and Europe and ended the year with a sold-out concert at The Royal Albert Hall. Festival appearances include The Big Chill UK, Dubai’s Chill Out Festival(supporting Erykah Badu), North Sea Jazz, Coachella, Gilles Peterson Worldwide and Blue Note Jazz Festival.

Italian double bass player and composer Andrea Di Biase has worked with Dave Liebman,Julian Arguelles, Stan Sultzman, Antonio Zambrini and Norma Winstone. Together with pianist Liam Noble, Andrea played in the last trio of the legendary British trumpeter and composer Kenny Wheeler. Festival appearances include the London Jazz Festival, The Hague Jazz Festival, IASJ-Sao Paolo, and The Rest Is Noise. He is a prolific composer, and his own group, Dugong, have toured extensively in recent years.

Currently residing in the UK, New Yorker Gene Calderazzo has established himself as one of the busiest drummers on the international jazz scene. Notable collaborations include Pharoah Sanders, Steve Lacy, Steve Grossman, Eddie Henderson, The NDR, Mike Gibbs, Bheki Mseleku, UMO, Sting, Radiohead, James Moody, Phil Woods, Benny Golson, Ulf Wakenius, Gary Husband, Wayne Krantz, Bobby Watson and Eddie Gomez.

“Sure signs of an appetite for the unexpected…It’ll be great to hear it live”**** Jazzwise

“Creative invention aplenty, not to mention groove and swing” Textura

“Original compositions that sound like standards”**** Marlbank

“Demonstrating that originality doesn’t have to be complicated”**** Observer

“A consistently intelligent linking voice” Independent

Bruno Heinen – piano

Heidi Vogel – vocals

Andrea Di Biase – double bass

Gene Calderazzo – drums

LIVE MUSIC 8PM