Doors 7:45 PM, Music 8:30 PM
Line-up:
Sam Norris – Alto Saxophone
Jay Verma – Piano
Harry Pearce – Bass
Adam Merrell – Drums
About
‘An extraordinary technique and improvisational flair for one so young’ – Ronan Guilfoyle
Sam Norris is a London-based alto saxophonist, composer and teacher with a forward-thinking outlook. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music under Julian Siegel, Stan Sulzmann and Kit Downes, graduating in 2021 with first-class honours.
Moved from an early age by expressive performers and composers with their own musical language, some of Sam’s most significant inspirations have been John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Warne Marsh, Alexander Scriabin and Arnold Schoenberg. He explores these influences in his own groups- namely the Sam Norris Quartet and the noted co-led quintet Planck Walker- while also working regularly with some of the UK’s finest improvising musicians, including Ronan Guilfoyle, Darren Beckett, Alex Ridout and PHEMO Quartet. He was a finalist in the coveted Musician’s Company Young Jazz Musician of the Year competition last year.
The Sam Norris Quartet brings together some of the most creative and distinctive young musicians on the London jazz scene- pianist Jay Verma, double bassist Harry Pearce and drummer Adam Merrell- to perform Sam’s original compositions. The band’s music flows through tightly scripted forms, thoughtful solo interludes and exploratory group improvisations. Aiming to weave an exciting, high-energy musical narrative, their performances showcase not only each musician’s virtuosity but also a deeply considered, balanced approach to ensemble playing. The group perform regularly around London and the UK and are looking to make their debut album in 2023.