Doors 7.45pm, music 8.30pm
Line-up:
Vimala Rowe – Voice
John Etheridge – Guitar
About
John Etheridge’s reputation in the jazz world cannot be overstated. A genuinely virtuosic fusion guitarist, he is one of a handful of players who can claim to have helped shape the character of modern jazz guitar. He has been described by fellow fretsman Pat Metheny as ‘one of the best guitarists in the world’, due largely to his tireless exploration of the possibilities of his instrument. A hugely respected artist in his own right, Etheridge also claims an impressive collaborative history, from his seminal work with ground-breaking fusion group Soft Machine to his longstanding status as the guitarist of choice for jazz icon Stephane Grappelli as well as long associations with John Williams and Nigel Kennedy .
In vocalist Vimala Rowe, he has not only found a partner of rare ability but a talent that perfectly complements his explorative nature. An exemplary jazz singer with a faultless and deft expression, Vimala has a unique style that is further enhanced by her past training in classical Hindustani vocals. Her soulful, moving, and unerringly committed performances on the album produced with John, ‘Out Of The Sky’, are truly memorable.
Vimala Rowe took the role of Billie Holiday in Alex Webb’s music-theatre show Cafe Society Swing, as well as appearing with flamenco great Paco Pena at Sadler’s Wells, and recent appearances at the London Jazz Festival ,celebrating Ella Fitzgerald. But though flawless tributes to the great jazz vocalists are a speciality of hers, she is also an award-winning original composer, and this evening’s concert will showcase well-known songs with some beautiful newer examples.