Jazz North presents Alt Shift J - a new age Jazz festival being staged across two venues in the heart of Clitheroe on Saturday, October 20th (The Grand, York Street, and The Old Assembly Rooms (SM-SJ), Lowergate).

The Grand, Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues, Lancashire Music Service and Gypsy Carrot Productions are joining forces to deliver the brand new one-day festival, one of four festivals nationwide.

The Clitheroe edition of Alt Shift J merges acts at the forefront of the UK's music scene with inspirational workshops, records and vintage stalls and talented local DJs, concluding with a nu soul extravaganza from Just Groove - this will be an incredible day of music set at an extremely generous ticket price.

Alt Shift J makes little or no judgment call on stylistic definitions.  The festival will showcase the work of specially commissioned music projects and feature some groundbreaking talent from the wider world of jazz.

The longer term aim of the project is to establish some new players in the regional jazz music scene – musicians, promoters, scene-builders and audience members – all coming together to reinterpret and celebrate jazz and improvised music in all its forms.  We hope to see the spirit of Alt Shift J permeate throughout future Lancashire jazz events and festivals – the legacy of which will be increased participation and audience growth among young people.

Clitheroe’s stamp on Alt-Shift J comes in the form of an all-day music programme that encourages audiences to celebrate and engage with jazz performance, from morning sessions with Arun Ghosh’s Jazz Club for kids, educational music projects and stand-out performances from inspirational contemporary UK-based live music acts.

NUBIYAN TWIST (9pm-10.30pm)

Headlining the inaugural Alt-Shift-J event are the incredible 10-piece musical collective Nubiyan Twist.  This Leeds born, London based outfit, orchestrated by guitarist/producer Tom Excell, create a widescreen, infectious sound in an eclectic mix of styles, drawing on jazz, hip-hop, afrobeat, latin, soul, reggae and dance music.

An awesome live show features a four-piece horn section, vocalists, electronics and an international (Brazil/UK) rhythm section, Nubiyan Twist create a powerful and unforgettable experience.

This concert is part of a UK tour promoting the ensemble's brand new album 'Jungle Run', which is released on Strut Records in November.

The band have performed on huge stages across the world, being chosen by David Byrne to perform at Queen Elizabeth Hall for the South Bank’s Meltdown festival, selling out London’s iconic Jazz Cafe, and rocking festival stages from Fusion to Wilderness, Boomtown to Edinburgh Jazz Festival, with their powerful sound and unique blend of styles.

ARUN GHOSH QUINTET (7.45pm-8.45pm)

Arun Ghosh is a cherished guest performer in these parts having been the 'Artist-in-residence' at the 2015 Ribble Valley Jazz Festival.  A highly skilled clarinet and flautist, charismatic performer and music educator, Arun's musical vocabulary draws heavily on his Britsh-Asian heritage.  His 2017 album, 'But Where Are You Really From? mixes south Asian rhythms, rock riffs, a vast array of instruments, even an arrangement reminiscent of a colliery brass band, to create a hybrid that is clearly jazz.

NECKTR (6.00pm-7.00pm)

9 piece should fusion band, drawing influence from hip-hop, Jazz, Afrobeat and ambient music, currently making their mark in Leeds’ vibrant music scene

ROLLER TRIO (3-3.45pm)

We are very excited to welcome Mercury Prize nominees Roller Trio to perform at Alt-Shift-J and have one its members, Chris Sharkey, work with young musicians of the area to perform a specially rehearsed Festival recital.

Based in Leeds, Roller Trio have a modern and gritty sound, pushing sonic boundaries to their limits. Switching the feel of a tune in a heartbeat from edgy improv to anthemic power riffs to reverb-swamped note storms, Roller Trio are powerful and progressive.  Their most recent album, New Devices, features contemporary guitar improviser Chris Sharkey,  alongside James Mainwaring, saxophone and electronics and Luke Reddin-Williams, drums. Their mix of high octane technicality and deceptively catchy tunes has transcended their Jazz heritage, bringing them acclaim from fans and critics alike. Their eponymous debut album was nominated for the 2012 Mercury Prize and the band were also nominated for MOBO's Best Jazz Act that same year.

CHRIS SHARKEY & SHIFTIN' JAZZ ENSEMBLE (2.20pm-2.50pm)

Chris Sharkey will also be hosting improvisation workshop sessions at The Grand in the run-up to Alt-Shift-J, creating a platform for young people to be part of a performing ensemble on the Festival weekend. This project will come to fruition with a live performance on the day itself.

GYPSY CARROT PRESENT JUST GROOVE (10.15pm-2.00am)

Local events collective Gypsy Carrot present their nu soul extravaganza Just Groove as the official after-party.  Prepare for a three course selection of nothing but the best in rich world grooves, from Afrobeat to House and everything in-between.

MORE INFO FROM THE GRAND

Featuring: Ed Lomax - keys; Derek Smith - drums; Mel Hatchman - bass;  Lyn Fairbanks - vocals.

The Mark Lewis trio is a popular local and experienced band presenting fine music and excellent entertainment at their dinner jazz sessions. Expect to hear top jazz standards from a band influenced by George Shearing, Bill Evans, Horace Silver. This band has played all nine Ribble Valley Jazz Festivals. A lively session is in prospect with plenty of repartee with a cosy audience in the Abbey Suite.   The session will be enhanced by the immensely popular Lyn Fairbanks’ delightful vocals!

Matt & Miles host this evening's Jazz Show on Ribble FM from 9pm to 11pm. Listen to their banter and the best of current jazz and find out what's coming up in the region.

http://www.ribblefm.com/pages/schedule/

Free Monthly Jazz Jam - 3rd Thursday Monthly - at Bowland Brewery/Holmes Mill, Clitheroe with resident band, Breaking Jazz, and Paul J Rigby Trio (alternately).

Jamming Session for any instrument - any experience - Stand in with the band, play your favourite tune, solo & improvise! Tell bandleader your tune/key via trish.ferrarin@gmail.com - helpful but not essential! More info? Try contacting info@rvjazzandblues.co.uk

Guests and jammers who will be instrumentalists or singers, or both, will have the chance to play with an experienced backline, sharing in the delivery of tunes, and performing one or two solos. Age and levels of experience are no barrier to having a go in a jazz jam session, especially with an experienced band lead by jazz musician and tutor, Trish Ferrarin, and there is no need for potential jammers to book a spot, just turn up on the night with your instrument, and let the band know you are there. It's helpful to let Trish Ferrarin or Paul J Rigby know your tunes in advance, and the key played in.

Jam sessions will go ahead in the Holmes Mill Engine Room where accoustics are excellent, with standing room available alongside tables that can be reserved online or via a short phone call. These sessions are being managed and programmed by Ribble Valley Jazz & Blues. They are open to all who love live music. No only that, but Thursday evenings at Bowland Brewery are ‘new beer’ nights, presenting new ales brewed on site that are sure to be popular with members of CAMRA. Real ale buffs will also be able to join Bowland Beer Club, which entitles them to discount on ales not just at Bowland Brewery, but also at other places belonging to James Places.

Free Monthly Jazz Jam - 3rd Thursday Monthly - at Bowland Brewery/Holmes Mill, Clitheroe with resident band, Breaking Jazz, and Paul J Rigby Trio (alternately).

Jamming Session for any instrument - any experience - Stand in with the band, play your favourite tune, solo & improvise! Tell bandleader your tune/key via trish.ferrarin@gmail.com - helpful but not essential! More info? Try contacting info@rvjazzandblues.co.uk

Guests and jammers who will be instrumentalists or singers, or both, will have the chance to play with an experienced backline, sharing in the delivery of tunes, and performing one or two solos. Age and levels of experience are no barrier to having a go in a jazz jam session, especially with an experienced band lead by jazz musician and tutor, Trish Ferrarin, and there is no need for potential jammers to book a spot, just turn up on the night with your instrument, and let the band know you are there. It's helpful to let Trish Ferrarin or Paul J Rigby know your tunes in advance, and the key played in.

Jam sessions will go ahead in the Holmes Mill Engine Room where accoustics are excellent, with standing room available alongside tables that can be reserved online or via a short phone call. These sessions are being managed and programmed by Ribble Valley Jazz & Blues. They are open to all who love live music. No only that, but Thursday evenings at Bowland Brewery are ‘new beer’ nights, presenting new ales brewed on site that are sure to be popular with members of CAMRA. Real ale buffs will also be able to join Bowland Beer Club, which entitles them to discount on ales not just at Bowland Brewery, but also at other places belonging to James Places.

Ribble Valley Jazz Collective returns to the Spread Eagle for a 2018 Christmas Special performance. This band is directed by Paul J Rigby, one of the most experienced band leaders in the North West, having completed 25 years leading the famous Northern Jazz Orchestra. This local big band’s rousing and entertaining performance will include traditional, modern  and famous big band tunes, probably including Tuxedo Junction and Mack the Knife in The Spread Eagle’s Abbey Suite. Sell out audiences at the Spread Eagle in 2016 & 2017 suggest booking early for this performance.