Hailed by All about Jazz as "one of the most creative new musicians on the New York City scene", and reviewed by major British jazz publications such as Jazzwise and Jazz Journal, ingenious composer and pianist Lucian Ban hits the British jazz circuits again, with performances at famed Vortex in London and Nottingham's Lakeside Arts Centre. The Transylvania-native, who is promoting his latest album entitled 'Mystery', is accompanied by Abraham Burton - ten sax, John Herbert - bass and Eric McPherson - drums, making up the famous Elevation Quartet.
Elevation has established itself as a unique voice in the world of jazz. The group has taken elements of modern jazz and the avant-garde, employing musicians who have been movers in both, creating an original direction. 'Mystery' album has proven to be a perfect encapsulation of Elevation's action and purpose and has won Best of 2013 Award from Jeff Stockton, New York City Jazz Record; Ken Micaleff, DownBeat, eMusic; Elzy Kolb, Hot House.
After studying composition at the Bucharest Music Academy, in 1995 Lucian Ban established a group named Jazz Unit, and released two albums through Green Records label in Romania. In 1999, he moved to New York where he studied at the New School University for two years. His American debut - 'Somethin' Holy' - recorded in a duet with saxophone player Alex Harding brought him 4 stars from Allmusic. This success was followed by the critically praised quintet album 'Premonition' (2003), 'Tuba Project' (featuring Bob Stewart, 2006) and 'Playground' (featuring Jorge Sylvester, 2006). In 2010 he released at Sunny Record the successful 'Enesco Re-Imagined', presented in London at Southbank Centre's Purcell Room, with he support of the Romanian Cultural Institute, within the 2011 edition of London Jazz Festival. The concert was, suggested the Guardian, "a rare combination of uninhibited but coherent solo and collective improv, shrewd arrangement and dazzling thematic writing".
Both concerts are presented with the support of the Romanian Cultural Institute in London.
Tue May 20, Vortex Jazz Club, 8.00pm 11 Gillett Street, London N16 Tickets: £10 | 020 7254 4097 | www.vortexjazz.co.uk | Book online
Wed May 21, Nottingham Lakeside Arts Centre, 8pm
University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD
Tickets: £ 16 ( £ 14 concessions) | 0191 232 0192 | Book online
