Jazz In The Round: James Kitchman’s First Quartet + More TBA at The Cockpit

JAMES KITCHMAN'S FIRST QUARTET
A group led by “quietly rebellious” [Songlines Magazine] guitarist James Kitchman featuring a cast of London’s finest improvisers: pianist Bruno Heinen (Denys Baptiste); bassist Tom McCredie (Elliot Galvin Trio); and drummer Shane Forbes (Empirical). They play James’ compositions which draw influence from the variety of musical worlds he traverses; from jazz, to chamber music, to contemporary folk, to ambient electronica. Improvisation and empathy are at the core of the group’s spirit; conjuring a sound that is at once stark and refreshing. His debut recording ‘First Quartet’ on Ubuntu Music label was released in 2022 with airplay on BBC Radio 3, Jazz FM, and Soho Radio, a rapturous reception from the jazz press, and over 500,000 streams on Spotify in the first six months of its release.