Tim Amann XTet

Tim Amann Xtet is a well-established group based in the West Midlands that plays melodic & soulful contemporary jazz, focusing primarily on original compositions. The core members are Tim Amann (piano, composer, & arranger), Sam Rogers (saxes) Ray Butcher (trumpet) who adds his own compositions & Adam Gilchrist (bass) while Carl Hemmingsley & Tim's son Aiden Amann alternate on drums. The xTet plays a variety of lyrical original jazz compositions with influences ranging from Celtic & Eastern European folk styles through hard bop & blues to gospel tinged numbers. Tim, Sam, Adam & Carl are also members of the award-winning Walsall Jazz Orchestra for which Tim also contributes a range of original compositions.

A first album 'xTet' was released in 1999 & includes some live elements of the band's first appearance at the Montreux Jazz Festival. A second album "The Scarecrows" was recorded during a tour of Germany in 2000 & feature several contributions from guests Sheila MacRory. A third album "Still Waters" was released in 2011 based again around Tim Amann's original material. The xTet built up a close musical collaboration with leading Russian saxophonist & composer Oleg Kireyev, touring with him several times in the UK & also playing to large & enthusiastic audiences in Moscow & St. Petersburgh in 2007 & 2010.

Collectively or in various related projects members of the band have also performed with a long list of established jazz artists including Wynton Marsalis, David Murray, Art Farmer, Jean Toussaint, Scott Hamilton, Bobby Shew, members of the Buena Vista International Orchestra from Cuba, Courtney Pine, Don Rendell & also Martin Shaw with whom several members of the band recorded one of the Walsall Jazz Orchestra's release - Little Steps.

The Tim Amann xTet can be heard regularly in the Midlands when not playing further afield at Birmingham Jazz supported events such as Rush Hour Blues, Jam House as well as a regular monthly spot at the The Trumpet in Bilston - usually on the first Friday evening of the month. Tim is a longstanding member of Andy Hamilton's Bluenotes & appears regularly at the Silvershine Club in Bearwood. He also plays around the Midlands with various other regular bands including Butcher's Brew, which played to a sell-out crowd at Ronnie Scott's back in April & with jazz vocalist Roy Forbes & features in further recordings with all of these groups.

http://www.b13jazz.co.uk/TimAmann/sound/-clips/

Biographies:

Tim Amann

A History graduate of Cambridge & a full time-time teacher of History & Politics, Tim is a well-established jazz pianist, composer & band leader in the West Midlands. His XTet group was first formed in the 1990s to perform a range of mainly original material that has won loyal audiences & critical recognition far & wide. With this group he has recorded three albums, toured in Germany, Switzerland & twice in Russia & Scotland.

Sam Rogers

A powerhouse saxophonist who is also capable of great lyricism, Sam has been entertaining audiences around the world for many years & has lost none of his energy. A dynamic player & a force of nature!

Ray Butcher

A member of the band for the last 15 years, Ray is not only a superlative trumpet player, but also a successful band leader, composer & arranger in his own right. Forming a hard-hitting frontline duo with Sam Rogers, he adds power to his finesse. His own band 'Butcher's Brew' which also includes Sam & Tim performed to a sell-out crowd at Ronnie Scott's in April.

Adam Gilchrist

Adam is a longstanding member of the xTet who has made an invaluable personal & musical contribution to the band. His perceptive, often lyrical playing interpretation of the mainly original material written by Tim & Ray forms the bedrock of the band's sound.

Aiden Amann

Aiden is a dynamic & highly intuitive drummer now in his third year studying at The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. A student of top British drummers including Clark Tracy & Winston Clifford, he is already an integral part of a strong music scene in the Midlands, where he is much in demand as a notable performer among the highly impressive new generation, as well as more established performers.

This line up is not to be missed!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Joe Joe Jim's Bar, 444 Lickey Road, Birmingham, United Kingdom