Mark Kavuma is fast becoming one of the best young trumpet players on the British jazz scene. Having been voted best soloist at the very first Essentially Ellington competition in the U.K., Mark managed to land himself two prestigious gigs as guest soloist with Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
Performing his brand new album, Ultrasound, the fifth release under the Banger Factory umbrella, this is a further stride forward toward founder and trumpeter Mark Kavuma’s vision of bringing together seemingly disparate elements from within the bubbling London jazz scene, uniting sounds and players from across generations and creating a unique, exciting, and fresh sound all of its own.
“They blend Thelonious Monk, the soulful 1960s hard-bop jazz style, and sounds from the eclectic London scene. It’s vividly inviting music that brings smiles to jazz traditionalists and newcomers alike” - John Fordham, The Guardian
With Theo Erskine - tenor sax, Mark Kavuma - trumpet, Noah Stoneman - piano, Michael Shrimpling - double bass, Shane Forbes - drums
“an intimate, retro set that reflects on the pandemic era with sensitivity and soul” - The Observer
++ Pre gig menu from Mandira’s Kitchen of Vegetable samosas (served with tamarind chutney), Butter Chicken (One of our most popular dishes - a smooth, silky, slightlyspicy chicken dish) Or vegetarian option - Navrattan Korma pplus Lemon Rice (Fragrant basmati rice cooked with lemon & mustard seeds)
Meal pre-orders now closed, sorry
EVENT INFO
The performance is upstairs in Guildford Pavilion, The Sports Ground, Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP
Please note there are no physical tickets, just give your name on the door when you arrive. There’ll be seating reserved for you.
Doors open from 7pm, supper served from 7.15pm, and the performance starts at 8pm. There will be an interval and there is a licensed bar. Seating is cabaret style and there is a lift for disabled access.
Pre-gig Menu from Mandira’s Kitchen - “Our Favourites”
Vegetable samosas (served with tamarind chutney)
Butter Chicken (One of our most popular dishes - a smooth, silky, slightlyspicy chicken dish)
Or vegetarian option - Navrattan Korma
Lemon Rice(Fragrant basmati rice cooked with lemon & mustard seeds)
If you have any questions please contact us by emailing info@guildfordjazz.org.uk
TICKETS
Full Price £20 /Guildford Jazz members £18
Students £7 / Student Members £5
Meals £13
WHO'S PLAYING?
Mark Kavuma has established himself as a key player in the British Jazz explosion. As leader, he has released three albums, ‘Kavuma’ (2018), voted among the best albums of the year by Downbeat magazine and The Banger Factory (2019), both released with UK record label Ubuntu Music. Mark’s third release is the first offering on his own label ‘Banger Factory Records’, Kavuma and The Banger Factory - Arashi No Ato (2021).
Discover Kavuma’s music and enter a world where vibes, blues and rhythm collide with gospel, soul and spiritual jazz. With over a decade of experience playing the trumpet and keys in London’s rapidly expanding jazz scene, his unique musical alchemy has the means to bring jazz back to the dance floor.
Mark infuses this indelible musical movement with the energy, attitude and swagger of a new generation of creators. He has a unique and distinctive trumpet sound. His lyricism, soulful tone and grace of technique spread infectious joy and mutual excitement among audiences and fellow musicians alike.
Mark’s main outfit, The Banger Factory, is a collective that is contingent upon bringing the people a good time. From a weekly residency in Brixton’s POW, over the last seven years, the band has developed and nourished a truly unmistakable group sound and attracts and features some of the most gifted and engaging musicians on the scene today. “What is more, the band brings together and unifies the local London jazz scene. Spreading love and good vibes.”
A gifted educator and inspirational creative enabler, Mark is an associate Music Leader for the Tomorrow’s Warriors programme, and is also involved in their professional performance ensembles including the acclaimed Nu Civilisation Orchestra, Jazz Jamaica Small band and Jazz Jamaica All Stars. He is also a brass tutor and leader at London based carnival band Kinetika Bloco.
Starting his professional career in his late teens, earlier career highlights include being featured twice with Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra, touring Europe with the legendary Salif Keita and Less Ambassadeurs and touring the world in Peter Brooke’s Production of ‘The Suit’.
He has recently released a debut piano album: Zaitz & Kavuma – Back To Back (2022) and also released the Kinetika Bloco All stars album, ‘Legacy’ (2021) featuring a host of London’s burgeoning new jazz generation inc. Theon Cross, Nubya Garcia, Ruben Fox, Sheila Maurice Grey and Reuben James, on Banger Factory Records.
“Over recent years, trumpeter Mark Kavuma has been a busy man on London’s jazz scene, establishing his own ensemble, the Banger Factory, cutting five albums with assorted accompanists, and generally rousing the capital’s diverse talents. Kavuma likes inclusion: lineups featuring both old and young, the odd gospel choir, and the community big band Kinetika Bloco, which he credits with nurturing his youthful interest.
His new album, in partnership with tenor saxophonist Theo Erskine, is a more intimate, small group affair, with the pair backed by pianist Noah Stoneman, bassist Michael Shrimpling and drummer Shane Forbes. Ultrasound follows on the heels of 2022’s Warriors, but reaches back to the era when the pandemic had closed down music. Opening track IT celebrates a moment of release. Named for the It Club where Thelonious Monk recorded, it captures Monk’s wry, oblique style. The rest of the album follows in similarly retro manner as it tracks the pandemic era; The Loneliest is wistful, enlivened by Stoneman’s contemplative piano. June welcomes lockdown release with sunny abandon, while The Return of Johnny Bravo and The Day After Tomorrow are exuberant, allowing Kavuma to reaffirm his hard bop credentials while showing his more reflective, soulful side. An enjoyable, upbeat tour.” - Neil Spencer, The Observer
DIRECTIONS
The performance is upstairs in the Pavilion building at the Guildford County Cricket Club, The Sports Ground, Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP
For sat navs please check the postcode takes you to Wharf Road. There’s a car park alongside, entry from Wharf Road. If you’re approaching from Guildford town centre, Wharf Road is on the left just before the Sports Ground. If you’re approaching from the A3/Ladymead there’s no right turn into Wharf Road, but continue to the next roundabout to double back.
The car park next to the Pavilion holds about 40 cars (to enable emergency access, cars can only park in the marked bays). Unless it’s very wet, the overflow car park at the far end of the Cricket ground will be open.
To access the overflow car park, turn left as you come out of Wharf Road and carry on along Woodbridge Road towards the railway bridge, and the entrance to the ground is just before the end of the green fence that runs along the perimeter of the ground, next to the Woodbridge Café.
You might prefer to use one of the larger public car parks which are just a few minutes walk away: the open air Mary Road Car Park (GU1 4QU) or multi-storey Bedford Road Car Park (GU1 4SJ)
SEATING
Seating is either in front row settees/armchairs, central round tables, or rear high chairs/tables. Seats will be reserved for you when you book. If you’re a Guildford Jazz member, please let us know if you have a seating preference in on the booking form. Notes on the layout:
Front row: Seats 1 to 5 are sofas or armchairs
Middle tables: Tables 6 to 23 and 32 are small tables , each seating 4 (for bookings of 1 or 2 seats, we’ll seat you at a table with others, please let us know if you have friends coming who you’d like to sit with!).
Rear tables: Tables 24 to 29 are tall tables suitable for 2 people, with high stools.
Groups: Table 31 and 32 are suitable for larger group of 6 or more
High stools : 30 and 34 are single high stools (no table) , suitable for 1 to 3 people