JULIAN SIEGEL QUARTET 'Close Up' 2008

The Julian Siegel Quartet has had a major impact on the UK jazz scene since the release of the debut album - 'Close-up' (SoundCD1001) in the autumn of 2002. Working a fluent bebop intensity into a fresh modern sound, Julian has established himself as both a remarkable writer and a powerful player on the European Scene. He has just been awarded the BBC Jazz Award 2007 for Best Instrumentalist. Julian has toured with bands led by Hermeto Pascoal and Andrew Hill and he continues to be involved with the most influential British jazz groups of the day, including those of Django Bates and John Taylor, he co-leads the influential quartet 'Partisans' with Guitarist Phil Robson and in 2007 toured with The Julian Siegel Trio with U.S. Improvising stars Joey Baron and Greg Cohen. Here, Siegel has chosen to work with the current generation's most distinctive voices to create a quartet that is becoming one of the most in demand acoustic quartets on the current jazz scene.

'If this gig was anything to go by, then jazz lovers in a few towns can expect to be breathless as they leave their local venue. It was a stunning show. ' Paul Gardner, Bedford Jazz, September 2002

"Entirely distinctive and very original." The Observer

Julian Siegel

Tenor and Soprano Saxophone, Bass Clarinet

"Approaches the depth and sensitivity of a Wayne Shorter or Stan Getz." Straight No Chaser

"That lissom, free -wheeling saxophonist" John Fordham, The Guardian

"Great imagination" Billy Hart

"Siegel's wailing, swerving lines burst with character." John Fordham, The Guardian

Liam Noble Piano

 (Romance Among the Fishes Band w.Phil Robson/Tom Rainey/Drew Gress, Liam Noble Quintet + Stan Sulzmann and Chris Biscoe, Randy Brecker, Harry Beckett, Tim Whitehead, Bobby Wellins Quartet,, Moondog)

"...a brilliant pianist...who hardly plays a solo without at least one turn of phrase that brings you to the edge of your seat" John Fordham, The Guardian www.liamnoble.co.uk

Jeremy Brown Double Bass

(Pete King Quartet, Julian Joseph, Urban Jazz Quintet, Brad Meldhau, Art Farmer, Mark Turner, Anita Wardell, Curtis Stigers, Phil Woods, Johnny Griffin, Louis Stewart and Benn Clatworthy)

"...deftly supportive bassist and one of the most sought-after bass men in the country" John Fordham, The Guardian

Asaf Sirkis Drums

(Asaf Sirkis Inner Noise, Gilad Atzmon Orient House, Gary Husband Trio)

"...the world class drum phenomenon reminiscent of Jack DeJohnette and Tony Williams at the height of their powers that's taken the British scene by storm over the last few years." Renaissance Man, February 2004

www.asafsirkis.co.uk

"To make the tried and trusted instrumentation and tradition sing anew - that's the most difficult challenge of all, and it's one that this band has risen to and more than met." Birmingham Post November 2002 CD of the week ***** November 16, 2002

REVIEWS of 'Close-Up'

The Guardian, John Fordham

2002 Albums of the year,The Guardian,John Fordham

Echoes, Kevin Le Gendre

Birmingham Post, Peter Bacon

Jazzviews, Nick Lea

The Times, John Bungey

The Tablet,Chris Parker