Tables and Chairs Kevin Figes Quartet

• 1 Tables and Chairs 06:02
• 2 Here You Are 07:50
• 3 Scrap Board 06:36
• 4 New Clothes 05:10
• 5 For Becky 06:12
• 6 Fortunately Unfortunately 04:59
• 7 Last Outpost 09:19
• 8 Hability 08:16
• Total Runtime 54:24

Info for Tables and Chairs

Kevin Figes is a distinctive voice both as a player (Saxophones and flute) and composer on the UK jazz scene. Never standing still, his ethos is to strive to produce new music which is challenging, well-crafted and from the soul.

"Tables and Chairs", the latest outing for Kevin’s quartet, starts as it means to go on. The title track is launched by Will Harris’s bass riff, a funky, odd time feel looping until Mark Whitlam joins on drums locking in with a clubby hip hop groove and Kevin’s alto snapping out melodic fragments whilst Jim Blomfield adds atmosphere with Fender Rhodes. ...

“Compelling Bristol-based altoist Figes mixes up old school bop with a contemporary attack and edgy harmony” (Time Out)

"“Tables And Chairs” is an highly accomplished album of contemporary jazz with strong melodic themes and plenty of bright rhythmic ideas. Although conspicuously influenced by American models (plus Brazilian composer and multi instrumentalist Hermeto Pascoal) it’s a convincing piece of work in its own right covering a variety of jazz bases and with excellent contributions from all four protagonists. Figes and Blomfield are frequently inspired soloists and Harris and Whitlam are a flexible and adaptable pairing more than capable of handling the often complex rhythmic challenges Figes throws their way. What’s more they can swing and groove when required too." (Ian Mann, thejazzmann.com)

Kevin Figes, alto- and baritone saxophone
Jim Blomfield, piano, Fender Rhodes
Will Harris, bass
Mark Whitlam, drums

Kevin Figes
is a distinctive voice both as a player (Saxophones and flute) and composer on the UK jazz scene. Never standing still, his ethos is to strive to produce new music which is challenging, well-crafted and from the soul. Kevin began studying saxophone with Elton Dean and later attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama studying with Tim Garland. He composes for his own quartet which has released three CDs: all received much critical acclaim. The Quartet tours the UK regularly, with help from Jazz Services, and has been broadcast several times on Radio 3. He also writes for the 15 piece big band ‘Resonation’ which features some of the finest musicians from the west and beyond. He has a notable connection with Keith Tippett, performing in his big band “Tapestry” in Portugal and Canada and in his Octet including broadcasts on Radio 3 and a CD release on Ogun.

Kevin has also performed with Dave Stapleton and recorded an album for his label (Edition). More recently he formed the band “4 Sided Triangle” which included guitarist Mike Outram, and their first CD was released on Pig records in July 2012 to excellent reviews and widespread radio play. In 2013 the Quartet undertook a very successful 17 date jazz services tour of the UK to support the release of “Tables and Chairs”. 2014 sees the beginning of an exciting new project, an Octet. A new suite of original material will be recorded early in the year, to be supported by live work.

This album contains no booklet.