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press release 2004500 miles high the air is blueVocalist, composer and arranger Sue McCreeth”s successful UK Autumn 2003 tour with Jazzservices is a reminder that a truly original and unique talent will always get booked. Exploring overlooked epochs and developing new territories she has her own distinct direction and brings a musician”s understanding of harmony and structure, and imagination and heart to what has been described as an innate feel for jazz. Not surprisingly therefore that a stunning band has emerged from that tour: John Horler on piano, Andrew Cleyndert on bass and Mark Fletcher on drums. These are vibrant live gigs with McCreeth striving for ever more exciting musical landscapes. She trades ideas with the band using her voice as an instrument, and the musicians seem completely vibed up by her excursions through a repertoire of beautiful and atmospheric scales. Not a singer to be handled with kid gloves, rather this is dynamite in a black velvet dress, delivering songs for the 21st century. Touring schedules are already falling into place for 2004 and summer bookings have been confirmed including The Cabaret, Edinburgh, Electric Theatre, Guildford, Faringdon Jazz Festival (with Dave O'Higgins on saxophone), Exeter Music Festival and Oldham International Festival. A new recording with John Horler, Andy Cleyndert and Mark Fletcher, engineered and produced by Andy Cleyndert, celebrates the musical inroads made by the band since the more chilled debut “500 miles high the air is blue” and will be available during the year. Many tracks on the debut CD “500 miles high the air is blue” have been reviewed by the press:
“a gently unconventional performer, an excellent trio, a rich mid-register, calmly inventive, boldly ambitious, she has imagination and heart” John Fordham, The Guardian “a cool misty kind of voice - outstanding” Dave Gelly, The Observer “a beautiful piece of work, a small gem of creativity, a voice simultaneously almost ethereal and sensuous and torchy” Brian Blain, Jazz UK “the ability to “vibe” with piano players gives her an edge over many of her contemporaries - captivating” Chrissie Murray, Jazz at Ronnie Scotts “terrific, an innate feel for jazz, very good with the audience and a wee bit out of the ordinary” Derek Gorman, Jazz Review John Horler (piano)John Horler was inspired by Bill Evans and Chic Corea, and has worked with a galaxy of American and British stars, such as Art Farmer, Chet Baker, Zoot Sims, Kenny Wheeler, Peter King and Tommy Whittle. He currently works with Johnny Dankworth and Cleo Laine as well as Acoustic Triangle together with Tim Garland. Andrew Cleyndert (bass)Andy Cleyndert was born in Birmingham and at the age of 18 was playing nightly backing visiting soloists such as Art Farmer and Joe Newman. Since 1982 he has worked with many of the top artists on the UK and American jazz scene including Bobby Wellins, Don Weller, Bud Shank, George Coleman, Ray Bryant, John Hicks, Lee Konitz, Kenny Wheeler, Stan Tracey, Gene Harris and Annie Ross. Mark Fletcher (drums)Mark Fletcher is one of the UK”s leading jazz and session drummers, in great demand both on the live circuit and in various studios around London., he regularly works alongside Andrew Cleyndert in the above. Jazz Services is a company limited by guarantee (no.946244) and a registered charity (no. 2588044). Vat number 240 8568 56. Director Chris Hodgkins. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Arts Council of England, the Musicians Union and the Performing Rights Society .
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