Rafe’s Dilemma with Nel Begley and Jamil Sheriff

Seven Arts @ 8pm

Commissioned to celebrate the play Spring and Port Wine by Bill Naughton, Rafe’s Dilemma brings a mix of jazz, electronic music and rock to create an intriguing sound. The quartet immerses you in the story of a family on the edge, using spoken word, improvisation, synthesised soundscapes and carefully crafted songs. Expect to live the story through their music, feeling the multitude of emotions we all have towards our families and upbringings with an electric new perspective.

Lineup: Nel Begley vocals / Jamil Sheriff keyboards / Sam Vicary bass / Katie Patterson drums

Support is from the Phil Green ensemble – local trumpeter Phil Green plays some of his own distinctive music

Ubunye

Seven Arts @ 8pm

This band represents Leeds pianist Dave Evans’ long-lasting interest in South Africa and its music. He combines his jazz quartet with a trio of close harmony vocalists (South Africans from the Huddersfield area). Ubunye (‘one-ness’) unites singers hailing from KwaZulu Natal in South Africa with gospel and R’n’B musicians from Yorkshire, in an inspirational blend of jazz, Isigqi (traditional Zulu music) and Afro-pop. High energy African beats and traditional sounds morph into more contemporary African musical styles. All that and the jazz skills of this established quartet. Lineup: Thanda Gumede, Nokuthula Zondi-Kamudyariwa, Xolani Mbathe vocals / Dave Evans keyboards / Nik Rutherford guitar / Kenny Higgins electric bass / Alex Wibrew drums.

Soul Surgeons

12 midday main stage

The Soul Surgeons, are a nine piece band of Chapel Allerton musicians, who have been performing together for over twenty years. A lively, soulful mix of music is guaranteed to get your feet moving. With music from Etta James to Tom Jones, the Blues brothers to Dusty Springfield, Motown and much more in between, it  will be an performance to celebrate.

Jim Wright’s Rhythm De Luxe

1pm main stage

Chapel Allerton’s own banjo maestro Jim Wright leads a group playing the traditional jazz of Fats Waller, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong

2pm Vibeology

2pm main stage

Vibe-ology puts a groovy spin on the traditional organ quartet form. Leeds vibeist John Settle uses vibes as a frontline instrument in a group inspired by organist “big” John Patton and vibes man Bobby Hutcherson. Jazz, blues, latin and funk modes.

The Kyla Brox Blues Band

3pm main stage

Kyla's voice remains a stunning example of the soul singer's art: turning up the heat by degrees, lulling and charming before unleashing emotional catharsis, and blurring the distinction between pleasure and pain like the soul greats of old. Without doubt the most authentic UK blues and soul singer of her generation

New Position

4pm main stage

Leeds-based nine-pack of funk/R&B slammers with a trio of lead singers. Bitter-sweet switter-beats alongside popcorn-funk that may well get stuck in your teeth. But it’s not bothersome - it tastes good.

Louis Louis Louis

5pm main stage

Classic rhythm 'n' blues, doo-wop and ska with thumpin' slap bass, honkin' horns, raucous four-part vocal harmonies and a driving piano boogie to finish off the festival.