Jazz at 92: Vipertime and Yoshizawa

Our Headline:

'That was Vipertime. I wouldn't mind hanging out somewhere where that was going on. I guess I'd have to go to Leeds' - Iggy Pop

Born in the snake pit of Leeds house parties, aggro-jazz four-piece Vipertime have earned a ferocious reputation making a series of incendiary appearances at venues and festivals across the UK, honing their craft while pushing their line up of saxophone, bass, and twin drum sets to its sonic limits. Both live and in studio, their music is a sweaty dance floor incarnate. A heady brew blending 70s Ethio-jazz, the 60s proto-punk of The Stooges, Alice and John Coltrane, Fela Kuti, The Pop Group and Lee Perry. Music of joy and rebellion. 

Beginning as a free-improvising group, Vipertime swiftly began writing and moved into the studio to create 2019'sShakedown, 2020s Limbs/All Our Heroes Are Dead and 2023's critically acclaimed Arise. These releases received airplay on BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, BBC Introducing and Worldwide FM and were lauded by Iggy Pop, Gilles Peterson, and Colin Curtis. 

Where Shakedown captured the band's raw live energy, on Arise, Vipertime embraced the possibilities of the studio. The global pandemic became a period for the band to grow as composers, before entering Eiger Studios in Leeds under the guidance of veteran producer and engineer, Will Jackson. Their explorations of the borders of modal jazz, post-punk, dub and afrobeat have build a sound that is simultaneously unique to the band and a microcosm of the thriving UK scene. 

'Technically outstanding and phenomenally imaginative' - Louder Than War

'Dance floor ready' - Jamie Cullum

'They have that deep, angry sound that you find in Gato Barbieri and Steve Grossman' - Colin Curtis. 

Support:

Yoshizawa is an eerie prog band that strive to create harsh film like musical landscapes that connect and communicate to audiences. They have reached a range of music enjoyers over the years with bandleader Amelie's writing to express without words and to create a conversation for the working class again. 

Tickets are £7+bf online or £10 on door (dependent on availability). 

Coffees, and cakes will be available to purchase at the venue. The venue allows you to bring your own alcoholic drink as well! So bring your favourite bottle of red or IPA, sit back and enjoy the show :)