Events

The replacement for the cancelled gig last September - unfortunately Pete had covid..

“Funny, sad, beautiful, true” – that’s how Stephen Fry described the songs of Pete Atkin and Clive James, the songs they continued to write together ever since they met in the 1960s.

A new album by Pete Atkin has always been a special event, and The ​ Luck Of The Draw is a special special event. It’s Pete’s first new collection of their songs since Clive died in 2019, and it includes previously unrecorded treasures and collectors’ items, as well as terrific new versions of several of their old favourites such as the legendary 'Have You Got A Biro I Can Borrow?', for instance, and the ultimate song for movie fanatics, 'Screen-Freak'.

Pete’s music and Clive’s lyrics have never fitted in to the fashions of the day, which is perhaps one reason why they have lasted so well, and why audiences still love to hear Pete sing them live.

For this album, Pete put together a superb backing band which includes some of the best musicians in the country.

If you’ve never heard Pete and Clive's songs before, the result will surprise and delight you – and if you’re a long-term fan, you will not be disappointed as you add this new classic to your collection.

Hailed as “a fantastic flamenco guitarist” (BBC Radio 3) and honoured as a First Category prizewinner in the 2023 Manhattan International Music Competition, Samuel Moore is fast establishing himself as one of the leading flamenco musicians of his generation. Since 2007 he has performed in venues across the UK, Europe, and North America. Solo performance highlights include New York’s Carnegie Hall and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London.

When not on tour or recording, Samuel enjoys passing on his musical knowledge through teaching. He is the author of the ‘Flamenco Guitar Compás Essentials’ book series and teaches private students each week via his online music school. Additionally, Samuel serves as the principal flamenco guitar tutor at Arpeggiato School of Music (Chicago, USA).

Amongst Samuel’s other notable achievements are the establishment and overseeing of the Leeds International Flamenco Festival between 2013 and 2017. He also worked as an orchestral transcriber for the Gil Evans Estate between 2010 and 2013. Furthermore, in 2017 Samuel was commissioned to compose music for the major film ‘Lost in London’. Samuel also appeared in the film itself, performing his solo compositions in a scene featuring the Hollywood actors Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson.

Samuel learnt his craft as a one-to-one student of the world-renowned flamenco guitarists: Juan Martín, Grisha Goryachev and Dennis Koster. He has also attended workshops led by Paco Peña. Samuel is an alumnus of Leeds Conservatoire, class of 2013.

Samuel plays Kevin Richards concert guitars and is an affiliated artist of Bam Cases, DPA Microphones, AER Amplifiers, Abel Armrests, Sagework Magnetic Guitar Supports and Shubb Capos.

"A very, very fine piano player indeed" ~ Paul Jones, BBC Radio 2

Described by Jazz Journal magazine as the “piano man’s piano man…” and “a national treasure” , Dale Storr’s musical journey has now brought him recognition as one of the UK’s leading exponents of New Orleans piano.

Inspired by his parents record collection of early Rhythm n’ Blues and Rock n’ Roll, the evocative music of New Orleans quickly became a passion for the young pianist. He immersed himself into the styles of heroes like Dr.John, James Booker, Professor Longhair, Allen Toussaint , Fats Domino and Huey ‘Piano’ Smith to name but a few. His piano studies took him to Sheffield where he established himself as a highly sought after pianist backing many top blues stars from the U.K. and America.

However the music of his beloved New Orleans was always going to take precedence and from 2008 Dale went solo with his now acclaimed ‘Sounds of New Orleans’ show.

"Storr’s music is authentic barrelhouse pianism and singing and should be on the play list of all broad minded jazz lovers" ~ Jazz Journal magazine

Since then he has wowed audiences across the U.K. and Europe with his intoxicating piano mastery and vocals, as well as sharing his encyclopedic knowledge of the crescent city. Dale draws in the audience with the rich history behind the music telling the often risque stories of his much loved piano heroes.

He has reached the finals of the British Blues Awards seven years in succession and also won the 2015 best musical performance award at the Buxton Fringe Festival.

Get ready for an emotional rollercoaster ride of the music and tales of the great New Orleans piano players.

"Incredible….never seen anybody play like that….only James Booker" ~ British blues legend, Victor Brox

"If there is a better New Orleans-style pianist in the UK than the outrageously talented Dale Storr, please point me in his or her direction because he or she must be very, very special" ~ Blues In Britain magazine

Piano man Boogie Bill Roberts returns to Zeffs and is joined by The Billionaires' tight and talented sax and trumpet horn section, giving the show a whole heap of jazzy pizzazz in this good time outfit. The trio delivers foot tapping favourites covering the likes of Louis Prima, Nat Cole and a host of swing and RnB classics. Featuring venue regular Paul Froggatt on sax and clarinet, and 'The Boy Wonder' Ciaran Diston on trumpet.

Back by popular request, a heartfelt tribute to the work of the Crusaders, the great and enduring jazz-funk-soul masters.

Formed in Texas in the 1960s as the Jazz Crusaders, the original band gradually gained a loyal following, breaking through to a worldwide audience in the early 1980s in its capacity as the backing band on such classic songs as Bill Withers’ ‘Souls Shadows’ and, most notably, Randy Crawford’s ’Street Life’ , and collaborating with Joni Mitchell, BB King & Eric Clapton^.

Very much a labour of love from the six players involved tonight from across the North of England, they combine to give their interpretation of the Crusaders’ classic repertoire, instantly recognisable from its signature tenor saxophone-trombone front line, rich Fender Rhodes piano sound and infectious grooves.