Welcome To The Website of Multi-Award Winning Jazz Ensemble Brass Jaw
Paul Towndrow - Alto Saxophone
Konrad Wiszniewski - Tenor Saxophone
Michael Owers - Trombone
Allon Beauvoisin - Baritone Saxophone
Working without a traditional rhythm section, Brass Jaw creates a performance that is truly unique in sound and direction, revealing a group that is able to adapt to almost any performance environment. Brass Jaw’s concerts are characterised by the band’s trademark momentum, drive and charisma, in a set that strongly embraces the jazz tradition whilst reaching out into the unknown towards new musical territory.
The group is the brainchild of baritone saxophonist, Allon Beauvoisin and first toured the UK in 2005 as a saxophone quartet, subsequently releasing their first album ‘Burn’ which launched the group on to the UK and European festival circuit. Since then, Brass Jaw’s notoriety for providing a unique and engaging live music experience has grown rapidly, proving themselves a hit at festivals across the world including London Jazz Festival, Rochester Jazz Festival (USA), North Sea Jazz Festival (Holland), Jazz a Juan (France), European Culture Festival (Algeria), Vossa Jazz (Norway), Saxophonia (Latvia), Jazzkaar (Estonia), Jazzahead (Bremen) and many others.
The ensemble’s flexibility makes it the ideal vehicle for new compositions from members of the group as well as commissions for renowned composers such as ECM recording artist John Surman who composed two new works for Brass Jaw, premiered at the 2009 British Composers Awards. The group was commissioned in 2013 to compose music to celebrate the 21st anniversary of London Jazz Festival.
Awards include 'Ensemble Of The Year' at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, ‘Album of the Year’ at Scottish Jazz Awards, and awards for innovation for their renowned educational workshops.
The members of Brass Jaw are also experienced educators and clinicians and as group engage in a broad range of educational activities including : schools performances for all age ranges, improvisation and composition workshops, small and large ensemble coaching, individual tuition and mentoring. Allon is an instrumental tutor at the University of Glasgow and Paul is a faculty member at the Royal Scottish Conservatoire, as well as running an annual Jazz Summer School at Glasgow Jazz Festival.
“It’s as if every brass section, every orchestra in jazz history, from the bluesy swagger of New Orleans marching bands to Ellingtonian eloquence, the blood and guts of Mingus and on through Gil Evans and the Brecker Brothers and into the European art dimension, has now been distilled into the Brass Jaw sound.”
Rob Adams, The Herald
"The quality of their writing puts them in a different class to their peers”
John Fordham, The Guardian
“This is not a band to take things too seriously. But it is a serious band”
All About Jazz
“The audio equivalent of a quadruple espresso”
The Jazz Breakfast
"Irresistible swaggering exuberance laced with grace and wit"
Chris Parker, The Vortex
Brass Jaw is proudly sponsored by D'Addario Woodwinds.
Brass Jaw saxophonists use Rico Jazz Select Reeds.
Brass Jaw 10th Anniversary - 2015
We are excitedly planning for our 10th anniversary in 2015 (Yes, it's been that long!). We've got loads of ideas in the pipeline, including a new album release, special limited edition merchandise, a tour, and general good times.
Stay tuned for more updates, and keep an eye on our Twitter and Facebook feeds for more anouncements.
Review from The Art Club, Glasgow, Oct 2014
The Herald
Monday 27 October 2014
Brass Jaw
Glasgow Art Club
Rob Adams
James Brown was frequently described as the hardest working man in showbusiness and the late godfather of funk would surely have found a kindred spirit in Brass Jaw's baritone saxophonist, Allon Beauvoisin, just as he might have hired Beauvoisin and his colleagues as his horn section.
The quartet is approaching its 10th anniversary and is currently in its third incarnation instrumentally. Having begun with four saxophonists playing in gutsy, gritty harmony while effecting a groovy contrapuntal flow, they moved on to trumpet and three saxes and now have trombone replacing the trumpet.
Their sound may not any longer offer the high-register pyrotechnics that Ryan Quigley's trumpet contributed but his replacement, Michael "the Mighty" Owers, has otherwise fitted in with the ease of a foot into a comfy shoe.
Their two sets in front of a standing-room-only audience here traced their recordings in chronological order, and while there's a noticeably increasing sophistication in arrangements over time they essentially hold to the worksong blueprint of catchy tunes, borrowing varyingly from gospel music's influence and played with admirable precision, where applicable, and lovable unruliness, where allowable.
Beauvoisin hardly gets time to draw breath. He's the motor that drives Owers, altoist Paul Towndrow and tenorist Konrad Wiszniewski's chorales and while the others take a break while one of them solos with unfailing, testifying fervour and imagination, the baritone is a constant accompaniment.
No mean feat when items such as the Beatles' Drive My Car set saxophone celebration against madly rising backdrops or Mr B's own Spineless recycles the chord sequence from John Coltrane's restless Giant Steps. Breathtaking stuff - literally - and presented with fun as well as expertise.
NEW EP 'Pigs With Feathers' Digital Download
https://brassjaw.bandcamp.com/album/pigs-with-feathers-ep
- May, 26 Swaledale Festival
- May, 27 The Spotted Dog - Birmingham
- May, 29 Watermill Jazz Club - Dorking
- Jun, 26 Glasgow Jazz Festival
- Aug, 30 Wall2Wall Festival - Abergavenny
- Aug, 31 Wall2Wall Festival - Abergavenny
- Oct, 23 The Art Club - Glasgow
- Feb, 02 Drumchapel Community Centre
- Feb, 02 Drumchapel Community Centre
- Feb, 06 Netherton Community Centre
- Feb, 06 Netherton Community Centre
- Feb, 09 Calton Heritage and Learning Centre
- Feb, 09 Calton Heritage and Learning Centre
- Feb, 11 Barmulloch Community Centre
- Feb, 11 Barmulloch Community Centre
- Feb, 13 Castlemilk Community Centre
- Mar, 11 Wigmore Hall, London
- Apr, 30 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
- Jun, 24 St Magnus Festival, Orkney
- Jun, 25 St Magnus Festival, Orkney
Wall2Wall Festival - Abergavenny
Drumchapel Community Centre
320 Kinfauns Drive, Glasgow G15 7HA 0141 276 0560
10:30am: An interactive morning concert for kids aged 0 – 10
1:15pm: Jazz café for older adults
Presented by Glasgow Jazz Festival and Glasgow Life
All performances are free but ticketed – please contact the venue to book your place
Tickets and More Information
Drumchapel Community Centre
320 Kinfauns Drive, Glasgow G15 7HA 0141 276 0560
10:30am: An interactive morning concert for kids aged 0 – 10
1:15pm: Jazz café for older adults
Presented by Glasgow Jazz Festival and Glasgow Life
All performances are free but ticketed – please contact the venue to book your place
Tickets and More Information
Netherton Community Centre
358 Netherton Road Glasgow G13 1AX 0141 954 4250
10:30am: An interactive morning concert for kids aged 0 – 10
1:15pm: Jazz café for older adults
Presented by Glasgow Jazz Festival and Glasgow Life
All performances are free but ticketed – please contact the venue to book your place
Tickets and More Information
Netherton Community Centre
358 Netherton Road Glasgow G13 1AX 0141 954 4250
10:30am: An interactive morning concert for kids aged 0 – 10
1:15pm: Jazz café for older adults
Presented by Glasgow Jazz Festival and Glasgow Life
All performances are free but ticketed – please contact the venue to book your place
Tickets and More Information
Calton Heritage and Learning Centre
423 London Road Glasgow G40 1AG 0141 550 3581
10:30am: An interactive morning concert for kids aged 0 – 10
1:15pm: Jazz café for older adults
Tickets and More Information
Calton Heritage and Learning Centre
423 London Road Glasgow G40 1AG 0141 550 3581
10:30am: An interactive morning concert for kids aged 0 – 10
1:15pm: Jazz café for older adults
Presented by Glasgow Jazz Festival and Glasgow Life
All performances are free but ticketed – please contact the venue to book your place
Tickets and More Information
Barmulloch Community Centre
46 Wallacewell Quadrant, Glasgow G21 3PX 0141 276 0875
10:30am: An interactive morning concert for kids aged 0 – 10
1:15pmpm : Jazz café for older adults
Presented by Glasgow Jazz Festival and Glasgow Life
All performances are free but ticketed – please contact the venue to book your place
Tickets and More Information
Barmulloch Community Centre
46 Wallacewell Quadrant, Glasgow G21 3PX 0141 276 0875
10:30am: An interactive morning concert for kids aged 0 – 10
1:15pmpm : Jazz café for older adults
Presented by Glasgow Jazz Festival and Glasgow Life
All performances are free but ticketed – please contact the venue to book your place
Tickets and More Information
Castlemilk Community Centre
121 Castlemilk Drive Glasgow G45 9UG 0141 634 2233
7:30pm: A family friendly evening performance. With support from Byres Road Big Band
Presented by Glasgow Jazz Festival and Glasgow Life
All performances are free but ticketed – please contact the venue to book your place
Tickets and More Information
Wigmore Hall, London
Young Producers
Each year a group of 20 young people programme and produce their own concert at Wigmore Hall.
The project is led by the young people themselves, who collectively take responsibility for selecting artists, repertoire and the theme; they manage the budget, plan promotional activity and co-ordinate logistics. The group is supported by a Project Mentor, an Arts Award Adviser and Wigmore Hall Learning Project Manager, Daisy Swift.
The 2014/15 Young Producers are year 10, 11 and sixth form pupils from Bishop Challoner School, Central Foundation School and Bow School, Tower Hamlets.
The Young Producers will present their concert, featuring jazz ensemble Brass Jaw, at Wigmore Hall on Wednesday 11 March. The group are also working towards their Silver Arts Award through the project.
Tickets and More Information
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
As Part of UNESCO day of jazz
St Magnus Festival, Orkney
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The StingerBrass Jawhttps://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/ae-p/system/music/file/55589/1401064785.mp3https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/ae-p/system/music/file/55589/1401064785.mp3The Stinger
