Traditionally, January is a very quiet month for musicians, however I’ve somehow ended up having lots of really exciting gigs!  Here are just a few of them.

TONIGHT (Wednesday 9) – Beck Hunter Hunter at the Noise Upstairs, Riverside, Mowbray Street, Sheffield.  Mick Beck (reeds), Anton Hunter (guitar) and me (drums).  8:30pm, free entry.  I’m really looking forward to this, it’s always been great when we’ve played together before.  We’re also going to be recording an album with this trio later in the month; I shall keep you posted.

THURSDAY 10 JAN – Johnny Hunter Quartet with Graham South (trumpet), Ben Watte (tenor sax) and Stewart Wilson (double bass) at Matt & Phred’s, Tib Street, Manchester.  9pm, free entry.  Here’s what it sounds like.

SATURDAY 12 JAN – Skamel at Matt & Phred’s, Tib Street, Manchester.  9pm, £5 entry.  They’re also running a competition for a free album plus two free tickets; click here for details.

TUESDAY 15 JAN – Pete Lyons Quintet.  The première of the quintet part (the septet part was premièred last November) of the “LX Project”, a new suite of music by Pete Lyons, featuring John Hulme (trumpet), Pete Lyons (tenor sax), Dan Whieldon (piano), Gavin Barras (double bass) and me (drums) at Brilliant Corners Jazz Club, the White Lion, 615 London Road, Sheffield.  8:30pm, free entry.

THURSDAY 24 JAN – Beck Hunter Hunter (again) providing a live set of music as part of the “Mick Beck: Rather Different” film première at the Showroom Cinema, 15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield.  7:30pm, £5.  Click here for more info.