Untitled Document

Co-led by two Norwich-based musicians - trumpeter Chris Dowding and saxophonist Rob Milne, holding hands is:

Chris Dowding (trumpet)
Raph Clarkson (trombone & electronics)
Dee Byrne (alto sax & electronics)
Rob Milne (tenor sax & bass clarinet)
Ben Higham (tuba)
Martin Pyne (vibraphone)
Mark Howe (samples, electronics & guitar)
Andrew Lisle (drums)

Halfway split between Norwich and London, the individual experience brought to holding hands includes Dee Byrne’s work with her quintet Entropi, Raph Clarkson’s groups Resolute and Dissolute Society, and tuba player Ben Higham’s own octet, The Brass Monkeys.

photo: Ian Brownlie

Co-leaders:

Chris Dowding is a trumpeter and workshop leader based in Norwich. He performs regularly around the UK with Natural Causes (www.naturalcauses.org.uk) and Rude 2.0 (with the trombonist Annie Whitehead), and leads the Moonrise Trio. He has been commissioned by Durham Brass Festival, has led workshops with Spitalfields Music and Dartington, and enjoys swimming.

http://www.chris-dowding.co.uk
https://chrisdowding.bandcamp.com
https://chrisdowdinglaurevanminden.bandcamp.com

Rob Milne is the Norwich-based saxophonist who studied at Middlesex University. He is a long-standing member of the groups Mimika and Nebula Sun, and leads his own Double Trio. Recent activity has also included creating electronic music.

http://robmilnewoodwinds.weebly.com
https://nebulasun.bandcamp.com/music

The band:

Raph Clarkson has extensive experience as a UK trombonist, including performing with World Service Project, Laura Jurd, and with his own groups Resolute and Dissolute Society. Raph also has significant experience of workshop leading, including with Spitalfields Music and English National Opera.

https://raphclarkson.com/music/

Dee Byrne is known as one of the most exciting improvisers in the UK, through her work with saxophonist Cath Roberts, her quintet Entropi and the electronic duo Deemer. Through the organisation LUME, with Cath, she has produced live events (including in London Jazz Festival), made available an excellent series of releases on the Luminous label, and performed around Europe.

https://deebyrnemusic.com
http://lumemusic.co.uk

Ben Higham is the leader of the 'improvising brass band' The Brass Monkeys, which has recently performed sold-out concerts at Pizza Express, London, amongst other performances. He founded the organisation Community Music East in 1985, and was Director of the organisation for 25 years. He performs with the trio Arthur, is an occasional guest with The People Band, and plays tuba in the Moonrise Trio led by Chris.

http://www.8brassmonkeys.co.uk
http://www.arthurjazz.co.uk

Martin Pyne has emerged as one of the most exciting vibraphone improvisers. His output has included several solo albums, often reflecting his significant work with contemporary dance, as well as collaborating with leading UK jazz musicians, in groups such as Kepler Orbit (with saxophonist Tom Ward), and a duo with pianist Stephen Grew. His recent solo album 'Spirits of Absent Dancers' was released on the Discus Music label.

https://martinpyne.com
https://martinpyne.bandcamp.com

Mark Howe is a community arts practitioner and performing artist whose practice is rooted in the spontaneous music making approaches developed by John Stevens et al. He is a core member of the Neutrinos/KlangHaus and is a musician for The Irene Taylor Trust.

https://klanghaus.co
https://irenetaylortrust.com

Andrew Lisle is the London-based drummer who performs regularly with saxophonist Colin Webster and guitarist Dirk Serries, with releases on the Raw Tonk and New Wave of Jazz labels. He studied at Leeds College of Music, as well as having a period in Portugal working with some of Lisbon’s veteran improvisers. Now based in London, he works regularly with saxophonist Alan Wilkinson and clarinettist Alex Ward.

http://www.andrewlisle.com
https://andrewlisle.bandcamp.com