The Archive
Queen's Head
Monmouth
Gigs and Events From The Dusty Past ...
It just wouldn't be fair to only tell you about what is going to be on at the pub without giving you access to some of the great piccys and write-ups we have for previous gigs. So, have a trawl through our Archive and whet your appetite for what is one of the best menus of live music in Wales.
Browse the Archive We are currently working on developing the Archive. This will give everyone a good idea as to what has happened in the Queens in the past
Sunday 06/05/18…….FEDORA CHIC
Sunday 29/04/18…….THE DRIFT
Wednesday 25/04/18 Maurice El Medioni
Film launch, Music and Food
***** 8.00 start, film starts at 8.30 sharp ***** Eclectic Films will be showing a new film 'Maurice El Medioni', and celebrating all that is Middle Eastern Jazz with a specially devised set from the fabulous Eira\Snow. Arabic snacks will also be served at the bar. Who could ask for anything more?
The film celebrates the life and music of the Godfather of PianOriental, 'Maurice El Medioni' It’s a musical reminder that we are all, at our roots, the same people. We hope it will also act as a reassuring presence to stave off prejudice and celebrate rather than be suspicious of difference.
As Maurice points out 'we are all refugees'.Using his diary, Maurice explores the musical influences that built his unique style of music - a fusion of Arabic, Jewish, Andalucian and American rhythms that see his left hand play Boogie while his right hand plays Rai.
Sunday 22/04/18……NORTH STAR(MATT/TAMZIN)
Wednesday 18/04/18 JPG trio
With his melifluous right hand, poly harmonic left hand and a groove-some left foot, John Paul-Gard brings his hammond sound back to the Queens. Top that with the powerhouse of Toby Perrett on drums and hyper-dexterity of Matt Hopkins on guitar.The most strutful groove in Funkdom!
Sunday 15/04/18……RAGTIME JUG ORCHESTRA
Wednesday 11/04/18 Duski Make a Wish Tour 2018
Aidan Thorne's Duski project has grown over the years both in compositional strength and unity as a coherent playing outfit. Thorne's writing certainly does provide a refreshing repertoire which echoes broad and diverse sources. Duski is a young contemporary band, with plenty to say. Well worth listening to, bringing whatever 'jazz music' is, bang up to date! This is a contemporary group playing fresh, original music that deserves to be seen and heard. Ian Mann, The Jazzmann.P.S. If you were wondering about the band name, Duski was christened by the poet Martin Daws, the Young People’s Laureate for Wales who simply thought the music sounded “dusky” - perhaps not so surprising considering the David Lynch / Twin Peaks influence. It’s also a play on the Welsh word “Dysgu” meaning “to learn”, as in “Dysgu Cyfri” a Gareth Roberts tune meaning “Learning to Count”.
Sunday 08/04/18……ALBINO FROGS
Sunday 01/04/18…..MAYFIELD/BIRTHDAY GIG
Sunday 25/03/18…..THE HARRISONS
Sunday 18/03/18…..GRUIG
Wednesday 14/3/18 The Noon-Ward
***** Jazz Special *****
Opening the year of 'never heard it before' world class new music we're most pleased to welcome 'The Noon-Ward', a collaboration between multi-instrumentalist, hugely respected composer and improvising wunderbloke, Alex Ward (Guitar and Vocals), aided, abetted and aggravated by a truly original spirit-drummer in the person of Sean Noonan.Alex is no stranger to the Queens with his band Predicate amongst his projects exploring composition specifically for improvisers (yet to book 'Dead Days Beyond Help' and 'Noise Eating Monsters' but watch this space!). Sean is a drumming enigma where his “wandering folk” theory captures the elusiveness of ever-evolving world music traditions and reorients them through his own distinctive lens, fusing his discoveries with influences from harmolodic jazz, bleeding-edge rock, and avant-garde classical music
Noonan: "Independence might be the ruling concept of this drummer/leader’s career. It defines a common relationship not only among his hands, feet, and voice, but between his art and almost everything else in drumland". Modern Drummer Magazine
Ward: [...] one of the most stimulating I’ve heard all year, an excellent blend of structure and freedom with a uniformly high standard of musicianship and some visceral, fiery, exciting playing. The structured nature of the material does the music no harm at all and the volume and intensity of much of the material should also hold appeal for adventurous rock listeners, fans of Mr Fripp’s King Crimson perhaps ... also likely to be appreciated by admirers of the so called “punk jazz” groups. ... Recommended to all adventurous listeners, not just improv die hards. The Jazzmann
Supported by the Plancktone Club
Sunday 4/3/18 JAMES HOLLINGSWORTH
Sunday 19/11 Skylark
Sunday 12/11 SP3 Steve Payne/Miskiminn/Hobday
Wednesday 08/11/18 Lenore Raphael + Wayne Wilkinson + Chris Hodgkins + Alison Rayner - album release
***** Jazz Special *****
On the 11th November the band launch their album “Lenore Raphael + Wayne Wilkinson + Chris Hodgkins at the PizzaExpress”. Recorded during the EFG London Jazz Festival, acclaimed jazz pianist Lenore Raphael, US guitarist Wayne Wilkinson, and trumpeter/composer Chris Hodgkins with special guest bass player Alison Rayner perform together to launch their CD, in a special set of originals and classic jazz standards. Lenore Raphael is an internationally renowned jazz pianist, Steinway artist/radio host and jazz teacher. She has performed and in many cases, sold out major jazz clubs and festivals, including Dizzy's at Jazz At Lincoln Centre, The Blue Note, Birdland, Ottawa International Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scott's and many more. She was one of three featured Steinway pianists with Ahmad Jamal and Abdullah Ibrahim at the Joy Of Jazz festival in South Africa. "Jazz critics have compared her to Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans and even Thelonious Monk, but with all these influences, Lenore Raphael is just ONE thing … a great pianist!" Jazz USA Wayne Wilkinson is a recognized and accomplished professional guitarist from the USA. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, The White House, the Kennedy Centre and major jazz and special music festivals across USA. He has performed for multiple Presidents, heads of state and other dignitaries. Bass player and composer Alison Rayner spent five years in the 80s with critically acclaimed jazz/Latin group The Guest Stars, touring all major international jazz venues and festivals and recording three albums. Alison Rayner has co-run Blow the Fuse Records & Blow the Fuse Jazz Club in London since 1989, performing with artists such as American jazz guitar legend Tal Farlow, New York jazz poet Jayne Cortez, Denardo Coleman, Peter King and John Etheridge.
‘Spirited, eloquent and graceful’ *** The Guardian
‘A gorgeous album, synthesising mood, melody and the interplay between musicians totally at home with each other.’ **** Jazzwise
Chris Hodgkins raised in Cardiff and co-founded the Welsh Jazz Festival and established the Welsh Jazz Society. As a jazz trumpeter Chris joined the Icon Jazzmen when he was 18. Chris toured the UK and Europe with Johnny Bastable’s Chosen Six, Monty Sunshine, Route 66; appearing at the Sacramento Jazz Festival in the USA with the Pete Allen Band, and played a number of tours of Germany with the Chris Haskins Band.
In 1985 he was appointed Director of Jazz Services the national organisation funded by Arts Council England to provide services in information, touring, education, communications and publishing to the UK jazz community. Among his many successes was the National Touring Support Scheme which has enabled the careers of hundreds of artists over the years. Chris also helped to set up the annual Parliamentary Jazz Awards. Chris continues to be a major figure in promoting and supporting jazz musicians in the UK. www.chrishodgkins.co.uk
Sunday 05/11 Forfeits
Sunday 29/10 Red river Blues
Sunday 22/10 Ragtime Jug
Sunday 15/10 Mayfield
Sunday 01/10 James Hollingsworth
Wednesday 27/9/17 Örjan Hultén's Orion
***** Jazz Special *****
Örjan Hultén, one of Sweden's foremost saxophonists and improvisers, is a musical explorer always looking for the next challenge. In his compositions Örjan Hultén moves effortlessly across boundaries and musical genres. Here and there Middle Eastern and Balkan traits can be heard while one can distinguish traces from Wayne Shorter or Joni Mitchell in other parts. Örjan Hultén Orion is featuring four of Sweden’s top musicians, each of them a wellknown and celebrated musician/bandleader in his own right. This is the first time the quartet is touring the UK. Örjan Hultén – saxophones, Torbjörn Gulz – piano, Filip Augustson – bass, Peter Danemo - drums”Weighty jazz music of absolute world class.” Svenska Dagbladet
”A proper parade of ensemble playing and composing skills” - Nerikes Allehanda
”a well coherent reflection over contemporary acoustic jazz” – Dagens Nyheter
”his calm and convincing playing in combination with the intensity and power of the tone is strongly impressive” –Orkester Journalen
Checkout Orion playing at Fasching Jazz Klub
Supported by Music in Monmouth
Sunday 24/09 The Drift
Wednesday 20/09/17 JOHN PAUL GARD TRIO
***** Jazz Special *****
A special treat for not only jazz fans but music fans everywhere. JP on organ and "left footed bass" is truly a special musician who we can never get enough of. This is an outstanding trio and its a Gig NOT TO BE MISSED!!
Sunday 17/09 Eira/Snow
"Horovel at the Queens Head" - World music fused with various jazz and folk elements. A real eclectic mix from this diverse duo.
"In general Eira/Snow’s pieces are primarily folk tunes with infectious melodies and strong grooves and an essential simplicity that ensures that they remain accessible, no matter how far the band may push them" Ian Mann - The Jazzmann review 7/10/17
Sunday 10/09 Big Sky Quartet
Big Sky Quartet, four kindred spirits with a wealth of musical experience and talent have turned their backs to the London scene and have put down roots in the Welsh Borders, creating their own blend of self-penned lyrical tunes propelled along by distinctively Brazilian and world rhythms. Happily following in the giant steps of musicians like Weather Report, Joe Lovano and Chick Corea, Big Sky are producing an accessible, melodic jazz fusion that is picking up new fans wherever they play. A great Gig last time they played and we are assured of a superb evening!!!
Sunday 25/06 HEAVY QUARTET
Sunday 18/06 GRUIG (IRISH)
Wednesday 14/6/17 Duski
***** Jazz Special *****
Aidan Thorne's Duski project has grown over the years both in compositional strength and unity as a coherent playing outfit. Thorne's writing certainly does provide a refreshing repertoire which echoes broad and diverse sources. Duski is a young contemporary band, with plenty to say. Well worth listening to, bringing whatever 'jazz music' is, bang up to date!
Sunday 11/06 IAN LUTHER
Sunday 04/06 NORTH STAR( FOLK/AMERICANA, TAMZIN & MATT)
Sunday 28/05 BRIDGET & THE BIG GIRLS BLUES
Sunday 21/05 JUNIOR HACKSAW (BLUES/ROCK)
Sunday 14/05 JANE PEARL/LYNDON WEBB/THAD KELLY
Wednesday 10/5/17 Big Sky
***** Jazz Special *****
Big Sky Quartet, four kindred spirits with a wealth of musical experience and talent have turned their backs to the London scene and have put down roots in the Welsh Borders, creating their own blend of self-penned lyrical tunes propelled along by distinctively Brazilian and world rhythms. Happily following in the giant steps of musicians like Weather Report, Joe Lovano and Chick Corea, Big Sky are producing an accessible, melodic jazz fusion that is picking up new fans wherever they play.Big Sky Quartet
Sunday 07/05 TAFFY WAS A THIEF( BLUES/ROCK BAND FROM NEWPORT)
Wednesday 3/5/17 Partikel
***** Jazz Special *****
"One of the most exciting trios in improvised music" Jazz PodiumIf you missed them last year, then its your loss. It was simply an astonishing gig. The release of their third album "String Theory" took the British Press by storm receiving multiple four and five star reviews and making onto a number of "best jazz albums of 2015" lists already. Combine this with a tour of China, a series of major festivals, and a hefty work schedule to 2016, this is really a band not to miss when you get the chance in 2017!!!.
"String Theory is one of the most successful jazz / classical collaborations I've heard, a genuinely convincing hybrid... the album is a brilliant realisation of all the ambitions and objectives Eagles had for the project.... an astonishing performance." Ian Mann
www.partikel.co.uk
Sunday 30/04 WILL KILLEEN
Back with his superb blues guitar work which transcends the stereotypes in technique, interpretation and repertoire. Anything from primitive blues to sarabands with a sprinkle of Hopi Indian
Sunday 23/04 EARL
Sunday 16/04 JOHN PAUL GARD TRIO
AN EASTER SPECIAL!!!!! John Paul Gard; Alex Hutchins and Toby Perrett usually only play once a year at the Xmas gig as Alex is always abroad. However he is in the country and they coming to play Easter Sunday. If you have heard them I dont have to say anything else. If not get here early for an amazing gig. Hammond Organ,guitar and drums and the JP left leg bass. It does'nt get much better!!!!!
Wednesday 08/03 SILLY BILLY
******** Cancelled *********
Sunday 12/03 RAGTIME JUG BAND
Sunday 19/03 RED RIVER BLUES
Wednesday 22/3/17 Coltrane Dedication
***** Jazz Special *****
South Wales' stalwarts of Ashley John Long (bass), Dave Jones (piano), Ian Poole (drums), Caractacus Downes and Lyndon Owen (Saxophones) are set to give another evening of barnstorming improvisation using some of the great later tunes of Mr John Coltrane as their spring board.
Their appearance last year at the Queens during the Monmouth Festival week went down as one of the great live experiences of the year.
Sponsored by Music in Monmouth and SFM
Sunday 09/04 Skylark
Sunday 02/04 MAYFIELD and the Rhythm Rats
This is becoming an annual jamboree! Chris Mayfield celebrates his birthday again with another evening of down to earth blues, rolling and strolling along with the superb Rhythm Rats.
Come on down for a night of the sublime steady groove that flows from this band like a racoon in a squirrel cage. Oh, and cake!!!
Sunday 26/03 THE FORFEITS
Sunday 05/03 CAPA MANA - BALKAN BAND.
A recently formed Balkan Band from S.Wales. With members of the Heavy Quartet we can expect something special!
Wednesday 1/3/17 Sirene 1009:
***** Jazz Special *****
Improviser, guitarist and constructor Han-earl Park (박한얼) has been crossing borders and performing fuzzily idiomatic, on occasion experimental, always traditional, open improvised musics for twenty years presents 'Sirene 1009', the stupendous ensemble featuring the indomitable low-end growl of Dominic Lash, the unstoppable hits and clangs of Mark Sanders, and the controlled vocal mayhem of Caroline Pugh. Somewhere out there, there’s an SUV-sized violin tailgating, a No Wave guitarist desperately trying to survive in the Appalachian Mountains, someone dropping sheets of metal during a Jazz Session, an evolutionary biologist finding themselves speaking in tongues (Awash in Blue).
Hear guitarist Han-earl Park push and pull on the guitar-amplifier dancing partners, Dominic Lash and his double bass damage hanging artwork, Mark Sanders excavate caverns in the smallest spaces for his percussion, and Caroline Pugh sing the lines that border the intelligible and the cryptic.
Sirene 1009 features guitarist Han-earl Park who has performed with some of the best improvisers from the Americas, Asia and Europe. He is part of ensembles including the London-based Mathilde 253 with Charles Hayward and Ian Smith, the New York-based Eris 136199 with Nick Didkovsky and Catherine Sikora, and the Berlin-based Numbers with Richard Barrett.
The molten, musical core of the ensemble comprises the virtuosic bassist, composer and sound artist Dominic Lash, and Mark Sanders, arguably the most sought-after avant-jazz and free improvisation drummer of his generation.
During the Culture Ireland funded tour of England in 2015, Belfast-based experimental folk singer and electronics performer Caroline Pugh joined Sirene 1009, bringing an additional layer of levity and exuberance to the already playful interactions of the trio.
With musicians representing diverse strands of present-day improvised musics, prepare for a performance that fragments and recombines musical histories, a performance that leaps unexpectedly between noise, melody, dissonance, harmony and rhythm.
Sponsored by Music In Monmouth and the Plancktone Club
Sunday 26/02 BELLEVILLE SWING
A foot tapping special engendered by Django and the rest of the Hot club de Paris. Belville Swing always project that atmosphere normally developed by mixing coffee, absinthe and Gitanes.
Sunday 19/02 LEE Mc CRORY
Wednesday 15/2/17 Sirkis/Bialas IQ
A welcome return to the Queen's Head, the Sirkis/Bialas International Quartet is a collaboration between Israeli UK resident drummer/composer Asaf Sirkis, known for his work with the Lighthouse trio (ACT), Gilad Atzmon, Tim Garland, Larry Corryel, John Abercrombie & the Asaf Sirkis Trio, and Polish vocalist/composer extraordinaire Sylwia Bialas. The quartet features London based, Scottish bassist Kevin Glasgow, and the acclaimed Frank Harrison on piano and keyboards (UK).With an emphasis on band interaction and sheer joy of playing, this band celebrates new music from both collaborators, covering a wide range of influences such as contemporary classical music, Polish folk, South Indian & Middle Eastern musics as well as a wide range of dynamics – from the most delicate ballad all the way to high-energy electric virtuoso lines and everything in between.
Expect soulful melodies, aerospheric sounds with strong grooves, a full colour electroacoustic jazz with an ethnic touch and some uncommonly used instruments and sound effects.
Asaf Sirkis - drums / compositions / percussion, Sylwia Bialas - vocals / compositions, Frank Harrison - piano, keyboards, Kevin Glasgow - electric bass
Sunday 12/02 FLEETWOOD CAVE (MARION FLEETWOOD, JIGANTICS FIDDLE PLAYER)
Two of British folk's most exciting musicians, sharing a love of performing live and for original and traditional music. Marion Fleetwood is no stranger having played the Fiddle with the Jigantics where we also headr her astonishing vocal repertoire. Gregg Cave who founded the Rock/Folk group Cave and also TRADarrr has been touring the UK and Europe performing at Concerts and Festivals. Two superb musicians!!! www.fleetwoodcave.com
Sunday 05/02 STEVE PAYNE/BILLY BOY MISKIMMEN (WONDERFUL BLUES, GUITAR & YARDBIRDS HARMONICA PLAYER)
Wednesday 1/2/17 A Big Hand
CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS - APOLOGIES
“A Big Hand” is a meeting of the ecstatic jazz of Sunny Murray saxophonist Tony Bevan and the industrial rumble of Furt/Barks Phillip Marks and Paul Obermayer, with bassist Dominic Lash holding the groove in the middle. Like a Sonny Rollins Trio in a tumble-dryer,Tony bevan (saxophones) - In the early 1970s Bevan started playing soprano saxophone, inspired by Captain Beefheart and Terry Riley. Lol Coxhill gave him his first lesson and a sense of the instrument’s potential. Subsequently Bevan has also taken up tenor and bass saxophones.
Paul Obermayer (electronics) - Obermayer is a member of the Evan Parker Electro-Acoustic Ensemble, and has worked with composer/performer Richard Barrett in the electronics duo FURT for nearly 30 years. He has been a member of the trio Bark! with Phillip Marks and Rex Casswell since 1998.
Dominic Lash (bass) - Based in Bristol, Lash has performed with musicians such as Tony Conrad, Joe Morris, Evan Parker and Steve Reid. His main projects include The Dominic Lash Quartet, The Set Ensemble (an experimental music group focused on the work of the Wandelweiser collective) and The Convergence Quartet.
Phillip Marks (percussion) - Is a member of Bark!, founded in Manchester in 1991 and also plays in the Alan Tomlinson Trio, and Richard Scott as part of his Lightning Ensemble. He has played with Derek Bailey, Evan Parker, Stephen Grew and John Butcher among many others. Supported by Music in Monmouth and The Plancktone Club
Sunday 29/01 THE DRIFTS(CLYDE,RED RIVER BLUES OTHER BAND)
Sunday 22/01 JAMES HOLLINSWORTH
Sunday 15/01 TERRI BRAMAH
Sunday 08/01 EARL
Sunday 31/12 ALBINO FROGS
AND THEN...........NEW YEARS EVE.
Sunday 18/12 LITTLE RUMBA
To make it a weekend to remember we follow the wonderful Saturday gig with probably the most popular band that play at The Queens Head.If you can you imagine songs from an island populated by Jewish Argentinean Celts, stuck in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, reached only by radio stations from New Orleans, Cuba and Jamaica - then you’re ready for Little Rumba - a great world music trio. www.littlerumba.com
Saturday 17/12 XMAS SPECIAL !!! JOHN PAUL GARD/ALEX HUTCHINS
For the fourth year in a row John and Alex put aside all bookings and return to the Queens Head for their Saturday before Xmas gig. This has become a special event and there are not enough superlatives to describe this amazing trio. Anyone who has heard them will know what I mean and if you hav'nt just google Alex and be blown away. As always its free admission but do get here earl. 8.30pm start.
Sunday 11/12 HEAVY QUARTET
The amazing red hot band are back for their annual pre-Xmas show.Constantly evolving, the Heavy Quartet continue to blow your socks off! All their output is a funky collection of grooves, mixing a big brass sound with intricate improvisation. A group that shuns the common labels, the Heavy Quartet represent vibrant musical irreverence and unpredictable eclecticism. This nine piece….yes they are not a quartet…always have the Pub jumping. Thwey have a new album out and are offering free dowmloads to everyone at the Gig. YOU DONT WANT TO MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!!! Check out the website www.reverbnation.com/heavyquartet
Sunday 04/12 GRUIG – IRISH BAND
Sunday 09/10 BRIDGET AND THE BIG GIRL BLUES
Sunday 02/10 JELLY ROLL JONES
Wednesday 28/09/16 Tassos Spiliotopoulos' Swedish Band
***** Jazz Special *****
Pleased to welcome back Tassos in full flight of a UK tour with his new Swedish band where he is now resident. The musicians are Örjan Hultén ( Saxophone), Fredrik Rundqvist (Drums) and Palle Sollinger (Bass) are all established musicians in Stockholm and the new album is sounding great! Supported by Music in Monmouth
Sunday 25/09/16 TERRI BRAMAH
Sunday18/09/16 JOHN PAUL GARD/JON DALTON
Wednesday 14/09/16 BIG SKY – COLIN TULLY
***** Jazz Special *****
Sunday 11/09/16 RAGTIME JUG ORCHESTRA
Sunday 04/09/16 LEE MC CRORY
Sunday 28/08/16 BIG NANNA
–JANE PEARL/LYNDON WEBB/THAD KELLY
Sunday 21/08/16 JAMES HOLLINGSWORTH
Sunday 14/08/16 SOUTHERN CROSS
– ROB MORRIS/ROGER GREY et al
Sunday 31/07/16 EARL
Wednesday 27/07/16 Coltrane Dedication
***** Jazz Special *****
Up for another evening of extempory, full-on improvisation from the power quintet that takes the later tunes of Mr John Coltrane and continues on the journey that starts in many places and never finishes; meeting the intricacies of life on the way! A band that sits on the shoulders of one of THE great musicians of the 20th century, a composer of outstanding strength in his simplicity, and a true master of his instrument - always searching, never content, and a man on a mission to make the world a better place.>Coltrane Dedication has followed the mission with an impressive collective of like minded players - on this occasion we have Caractacus Downes and Lyndon Owen (Saxes), Ashley John Long (Bass), Ian Poole (Drums), Dave Jones (Piano). Supported by Music in Monmouth Deicated to SFM
Sunday 24/07/16 Mayfield
Mr Chris Mayfield, the 'strong deliverer' of gritty country and urban blues. Superb guitar playing from the killing floors of Lydney meatpackers to the cotton fields of Newnham.
Wednesday 20/07/16 Philip Clouts' Anglo-Welsh Ensemble
***** Jazz Special *****
A new venture for Philip Clouts as he combines his accomplished compositional style, steeped both in the music of his native South Africa and in a diverse range of world musics which he has explored to critical acclaim, with a group of Wales finest players.
"Luxurious melodies, woven with subtle influences from Clouts' forays into world music ... a joy throughout, uplifting and contemplative by turns" Jazz UK
Supported by Music in Monmouth
Sunday 17/07/16 The Forfeits
'On the button' four piece with contemporary upbeat party tunes. Always gets the audience up and dancing, so make it an energetic summer's evening!
Sunday 10/07/16 Little Rumba
Without doubt one of the most popular bands to play at the Queens. You may have heard them before but they never cease to amaze!!!If you can you imagine songs from an island populated by Jewish Argentinean Celts, stuck in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, reached only by radio stations from New Orleans, Cuba and Jamaica - then you’re ready for Little Rumba - a great world music band www.littlerumba.com
Wednesday 22/06/16 Kevin Figes Quartet
***** Jazz Special *****
Figes' Quartet play his own distinctive compositions and have performed all over the UK for many years with widespread critical acclaim and airplay.There is a striking level of empathy and interplay within the Quartet that comes from a combination of highly accomplished players, all great improvisors in their own right, who have worked closely together for some time. The compositions are constantly developing to produce work which is challenging and contemporary . Influences include David Binney, Dave Holland, Chris Potter, John Escreet, Hermeto Pascoal, Soft Machine and much '70s prog rock. The aim is to produce personal music in a fearless and evolving way.
Figes is the real deal Jazzwise
This is poised, distinctive music Jazz UK
First class British contemporary jazz Jazz Views
Its this combination of rich writing with an outstanding band that gives Figes's solo LP such distinction Independent on Sunday
Wednesday 08/06/16 Duski
***** Jazz Special *****
Aidan Thorne's Duski project has grown over the years both in compositional strength and unity as a coherent playing outfit. Thorne's writing certainly does provide a refreshing repertoire which echoes broad and diverse sources. (Checkout the JazzMann's review).
Duski is a young contemporary band, with plenty to say. Well worth listening to, bringing whatever 'jazz music' is, bang up to date!
Supported by Music in Monmouth
29/05/16 Red River Blues
Blues from Ross - straight down the line with a mixture of cigar box guitar, harmonica and sax expanding the unit to give that big six piece sound. A great night is assured www.redriverblues.com
22/05/16 Belleville Swing
A foot tapping special engendered by Django and the rest of the Hot club de Paris. Belville Swing always project that atmosphere normally developed by mixing coffee, absinthe and Gitanes.
Thursday 19/05/16 BLUES SPECIAL : The Aguilar Blumenfeld Project (USA)
***** BLUES IN PARADISE UK TOUR 2016 *****
Californian musicians Roy Blumenfeld & David Aguilar will be bringing their unique blend of swamp, blues and funk music to the Queens Head.The partnership of these two seasoned and masterly musicians draws on their extensive combined repertoire, honed over many years performing and collaborating with countless icons of the Americana music scene. The Trio is completed by respected bassist Steve Browning of Pretty Things / It's a Beautiful Day fame.
The Aguilar Blumenfeld Project creates a fascinating mix of interpretative musical statements expressed through both traditional and unconventionally innovative instrumentation that melds together the steamy swamp-music roots of the blues with elements of the jazz, rock and soul that has developed up to the present day. Their eclectic and fascinating mix of funky rhythms and inspirational musicianship are sure to get audiences dusting off their dancing shoes! Checkout www.theaguilarblumenfeldproject.com
Sunday 15/05/16 Dan James
A true Troubador. A great driving mando-cello player with a mixture of favourites and own penned numbers. Ranging across a wide spectrum of musical tastes. A great gig!!
Wednesday 11/05/16 Burum
***** Jazz Special *****
This sensitive fusion of Welsh folk music with jazz never fails to reach the heart. Burum have grown together, very much akin to the 'yeast' of their naming, to provide a close respect of their cultural roots combined with the extemporary explorations that improvisng provides. Little wonder they have represented 'Welsh jazz' in the USA, Brittany and India.The strength of celtic melodies such as 'Pontypridd' and 'Lloer Dirion' provide a very unique platform for the empathetic improvising these guys always deliver.
Supported by Music in Monmouth
Sunday 08/05/16 The Heavy Quartet
The Heavy Quartet are one of the truly great bands to play at the Queens and also one of the most popular. All their output is a funky collection of grooves, mixing a big brass sound with intricate improvisation. A group that shuns the common labels, the Heavy Quartet represent vibrant musical irreverence and unpredictable eclecticism. This nine piece….yes they are not a quartet…had the Pub jumping when they last played and this gig will be no exception. http://www.heavyquartet.com/“
Sunday 01/05/16 Terri Bramah and Steve Payne
What a pleasure to once again have the wonderful Terri Bramah performing at the Queens Head. This lady has got a superb voice and it was a joy to hear her performing with the Rhythm Rats at of their gigs Terri was always a favourite at the Queens and backed this time by the superb Steve Payne on guitar, this promises to be a special evening.
Wednesday 27/04/16 Coltrane Dedication
***** Jazz Special *****
By special request following a magical and intense performance at Cafe Jazz in Cardiff, we have another night of new ground to be broken by the 'go anywhere' quintet. Picking up the later tunes of Mr John Coltrane and letting the powerful simplicity of them take us wherever we collectively go. Lyndon Owen & Caractacus Downes on Saxophones, Dave Jones; piano, Ian Poole, Drums.
Supported by Music in Monmouth and SFM
Sunday 24/04/16 Earl
Get your dancing shoes on and be ready to boogie. A mixture of original songs and interesting covers. Songs of love, protest and stupidity
Sunday 17/04/16 The Alco Acoustics
A debut gig from a new band. Ali Park has often done a turn with Dan James at the Queens and we look forward to her gig with her own band. More info to follow
Wednesday 13/04/16 Partikel's String Theory
***** Jazz Special *****
Partikel are seriously 'hot news' in the contemporary jazz world. 2015 has been a huge year for them: the release of their third album "String Theory" took the British Press by storm receiving multiple four and five star reviews and making onto a number of "best jazz albums of 2015" lists already. Combine this with a tour of China, a series of major festivals, and a hefty work schedule to 2016, this is really a band not to miss. "String Theory is one of the most successful jazz / classical collaborations I've heard, a genuinely convincing hybrid... the album is a brilliant realisation of all the ambitions and objectives Eagles had for the project.... an astonishing performance." Ian Mann"Inventive contrapuntally - rich arrangements, this excellent experiment represents a perfect marriage of two seemingly disparate entities, resulting in an album of richly mellifluous sonority" All About Jazz
"Turbulent avant-riffage, lush, cinematic sophistication... an ambitious project, convincingly realised" JazzWise
"A triumphant third album" MOJO
"The always stimulating Partikel meets this string section on equal terms. Eagles's tone on his various horns achieves an impressive blend of colours and dynamics. His compositions and arrangements, embracing sinuous, sinewy elegance, spiky funk and languid ballads, repay close attention. It's another intriguing step in the evolution of this talented outfit." BBC Music Magazine
Supported by Music in Monmouth
Sunday 10/04/16 Jigantics
One of the most popular bands to play at the Queens. The Jigantics are making a name for themselves all over the Country. With a line-up of the best of monmouths musicians and featuring the guitar meister Lyndon Webb this will be an awesome night. Get here Early!!!!
Sunday 03/04/16 The Rhythm Rats
The full on quintet for a night of earthy blues. Great original blues guitar from Chris Mayfield with one of THE sublime rhythm sections of Thad Kelly and Les Morgan. Plus Mick Paice and the superb Sax of Ben Waghorn. Add to this the incomparable Jane Pearl and you have one of the best bands around. Big urban blues influences executed with that easy, smooth rolling motion - like listening to good cigars and whisky. It’s the “ole boys” birthday and promises to be a wonderful evening!!!!!!!
Wednesday 30/03/16 Ant Law
***** Jazz Special *****
A gig for the axemen! Described as "An Innovator" by The Guardian, Guitarist Ant Law was a scholar at Edinburgh University and Berklee College of Music. He now lives in London and works extensively with his own quintet, as well as (Grammy-winner and Chick Corea sideman) Tim Garland's "Lighthouse" (along with Jason Rebello and Asaf Sirkis), and with saxophonist/composer Paul Riley and Trio HSK."Scarily proficient. A voice to heed" Jazzwise
"Lean, purposeful" Ambitious, engrossing guitar jazz." Guitarist Magazine
Supported by Music in Monmouth
Sunday 27/03/16 Bridget and The Big Girls Blues
Great performances of the great women of jazz and Blues. "Keeps on Churnin'" and hollers like a "Big Ten Inch Record", Bridget's the real deal - "She's Got Good Dry Goods" http://www.myspace.com/bridgetthebiggirlsbluesDrop Us A Line or Pick Up the Phone
You can contact us by email. Or, alternatively, pick up the phone and give us a call on 01600 712767. Thanks.