News
Breaking News……
Nov 2017 – PELT winter tour 2018
We’re getting very excited about the forthcoming tour! It’s happening between Jan 25th – Feb 10th 2018. Organised by Right Tempo agency, funded by the Arts Council of England with publicity by Riot Squad it’s gonna be quite an event! We have a new FB page, a Twitter page & an instagram page so please follow us on those. I also have a blog which has a more personal viewpoint of the project as well as info about the musicians & poets involved. Here are the links: https://www.facebook.com/UKTour2018 https://twitter.com/ctobinPELT https://www.instagram.com/ctobinpelt https://christinetobin.wordpress.com
As we get nearer to the start of the tour, there will be more video trailers, a video diary as rehearsals begin, plus, we’ll film some of the gig in London. We even have an element of signing for the deaf at the shows so I really hope you can join us for one of the concerts. Here are the dates:
Oct 2017
Sept 2017
New venue for NYC jazz singers Cafe Tallulah on the corner Columbus Ave & W71st. A fabulous new series featuring NYC’s finest jazz singers curated by Kate Baker every Sunday evening. I’m thrilled to be the featured singer this Sunday October 1 and there will be some very special guest singers joining me in the second set. Two wonderful musicians – Phil Robson plays guitar & Peter Brendler double bass. Come on down. Great atmosphere, excellent food and NO cover!!! Sets are 7pm & 8:30pm Doors 6:30pm
http://cafetallulah.com/
October 4 The Cell NYC – a new collaboration with poet Eva Salzman
Tobin’s Run on 51 starts back again at the Irish Arts Center, NYC, October 12
Myself and Phil Robson present music, film clips & stories focusing on the legendary jazz label Riverside Records who were based at the address that is now home to the Irish Arts Center. Our music guests are Craig Handy, Fintan O’Neill, Peter Brendler, Charles Gould and all of us together will be conjuring up the spirits of Thelonius Monk, Bill Evans, Wes Montgomery and more. Tickets available now http://irishartscenter.org/event/tobins-run-on-51-1
Shows at Jazz Standard NYC!
Looking forward to playing at the Jazz Standard on Wednesday July 12
with Phil Robson guitar, Rene Hart upright bass & Rob Garcia drums.
See video link for info https://youtu.be/qDpCnA_TLdU
Tickets http://www.jazzstandard.com/?event=20170712
This Spring Christine & partner Phil Robson will be curating a new jazz series called ‘TOBIN’S RUN ON 51‘ at the wonderful Irish Arts Center, in Hell’s Kitchen, NYC. The first date is Feb 23 – see description below.
Tobin’s Run on 51 $24 general / $20 members
To buy tickets over the phone, call IAC’s box office at 866-811-4111 Photo Credit: Des McMahon |
Tobin’s Run on 51 3-Part Jazz Series curated by Christine Tobin “There’s a kind of alchemy at work, particularly in how [Tobin] uses her warmly distinctive voice, malleable, poised phrasing and impeccable intonation to get inside the material and make it personal.” —The Irish Times As seen in Ireland Rising, Muldoon’s Picnic, and Christine Tobin Sings Leonard Cohen A brand new series of jazz nights curated by award-winning Irish singer/songwriter Christine Tobin and acclaimed guitarist Phil Robson. Each night, Tobin and Robson invite some of New York’s best Irish and international musicians to play sets and share stories about jazz music’s greatest artists and treasures. Thursday, February 23 | 8 PM From Raglan Road to Green Dolphin Street Featuring music from Christine & Phil, the Justin Carroll/Simon Jermyn Trio and the David O’Rourke Trio with Peter Washington bass & Ryan Kerberle trombone Book tics now |
Happy New Year! APAP IS HERE…
Christine Tobin will be performing twice at APAP, 2017! With her full band she will take part in Gail Boyd’s showcases on Sunday, Jan 8th from 3:30pm – 4pm, at the Hilton, Midtown Hotel, NYC. Full details are shown on the pics below. This event is free to attend! She’ll be playing with Gary Versace – piano/accordion, Phil Robson – guitar & Joseph Lepore – double bass.
‘The album is a masterclass in songcraft’ – BBC Music Magazine***** Dec 2016. New CD ‘PELT’ out now!
December 2nd
Back in NYC after a SOLD OUT CD launch for PELT
at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho, London. Thanks
to the great musicians & a terrifically warm and enthusiastic audience.
Fab reviews coming in: BBC Music Magazine five stars *****.
A wonderful three page feature in Jazzwise Magazine
& four star **** Recommended review by Peter Quinn
who also chose it as his No 1 ‘Album of the Year’ 2016!!
(see Jazzwise Magazine December/January issue)
Another four star **** in the Irish Times today!!
NYC Irish Arts Center show SOLD OUT so extra date added!!
December 8 (New extra show just added)
NEW YORK IRISH ARTS CENTER
‘A Thousand Kisses Deep’ Christine’s unique interpretations of
Leonard Cohen songs. With Gary Versace accordion & keys,
Phil Robson guitar & Joseph Lepore double bass
Show starts 7:30pm
Book tics http://www.irishartscenter.org/music.htm
Halloween, 2016: New CD ‘PELT’ release Nov 25 plus UK launch gig & reviews. NYC show at Irish Arts Center Dec 9. APAP NYC showcase performance Jan 8, 2017!
At last, my new CD ‘PELT’ will be released on November 25th, 2016! I’ll be back in the UK for the CD launch gig on Sunday, November 27th at the Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho, London. It’s going to be the world premier of all this new music, words by the great poet, Paul Muldoon, set to music by yours truly. The line up is Liam Noble – piano, Phil Robson – guitar, Gareth Lockrane – flutes, Kate Shortt – cello, Richard Jones – violin, Dave Whitford – bass & Simon Lea – drums. https://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on/christine-tobin-pelt-cd-launch
I’m already getting some fantastic feedback about the album. BBC Music Magazine has given it a 5 star review in their current issue (Dec!). There will be a big feature article about it in the Dec/Jan edition of ‘Jazzwise’ magazine & RTE, Lyric FM’s program ‘Blue Of The Night’ is making it their CD of the week starting December 12th. More exciting press news to follow soon.
Meanwhile in NYC, on Dec 9th, I’ll be at the Irish Arts Center with my show ‘A Thousand Kisses Deep’ (new arrangements of Leonard Cohen). It features Gary Versace – accordion/piano, Phil Robson – guitar, Joseph Lepore – double bass & Francisco Mela – drums. http://www.irishartscenter.org/music/tobin.html
Calling all promoters & industry people!!! I will be doing a showcase performance at APAP NYC on January 8th, 2017. My slot is at 3.30-4pm. This takes place at the Hilton Hotel, Regent Parlor, NYC.
Halloween, 2016.
We had a great gig at The Williams Inn, Williamstown, Massachusetts last weekend. Thanks to Karl Mullen, Barntone for inviting us & to the wonderful audience & all at The Williams Inn. Really good to play with two great guitarists, Phil Robson & David O’Rourke. The countryside in the Berkshires was beautiful with its autumnal colours & fab to visit The Clark.
Summer is coming to an end soon and I’ve got to say I’ve had a wonderful time in NYC. Looking forward to experiencing the fall here in all its colourful glory. I had some great gigs, Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, Vancouver & Edmonton Jazz Festivals, then in NYC – Club Bonafide, Kitano, Bar Next Door, and National Sawdust in Brooklyn.
It’s fantastic being close to so many great venues. I love them all but I find myself going to Mezzrow a lot. It has a friendly, warm atmosphere and it’s an intimate space so you can get right up close to the music. It’s reasonably priced too and the music is always quality. In general I spend a lot of time in the West Village because it’s such a hub of great clubs.
Here are some photos of my recent gig at National Sawdust which is a beautiful venue in Williamsburg. I loved playing there with Gary Versace, Phil Robson and Joseph Lepore
A few photos from Rochester International Jazz Festival & Vancouver Festival with Leo Genovese & Phil Robson
Fantastic night at Ireland Rising for the Irish Arts Center at Symphony Space, New York
presented by Bil Whelan & Paul Muldoon. A real joy to be part of this concert with so many great artists. The beautiful Cassandra Wilson & Loah pictured below.
Delighted to be singing at this event at Symphony Space April 22nd
IRELAND RISING
WORDS AND MUSIC FOR A NEW CENTURY
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A SPECIAL BENEFIT PERFORMANCE FOR IRISH ARTS CENTER
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FRIDAY, APRIL 22 | 8 PM
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SYMPHONY SPACE | PETER JAY SHARP THEATRE | 2537 BROADWAY AT 95TH STREET, NEW YORK CITY
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More info:
http://almosthome2016.org/benefit.html
P E L T New CD coming soon
I will be announcing the release date of my new album PELT very soon. Pelt is a collection of poems & lyrics by the brilliant poet Paul Muldoon that I’ve set to music. The line-up of wonderful musicians are: Kate Shortt cello, Richard Jones violin, Gareth Lockrane flute, Phil Robson guitar, Liam Noble piano, Dave Whitford double bass & Simon Lea drums.
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Inspirational music, cats crossing the Atlantic and a racoon on the back porch…
Myself and partner Phil Robson are now spending a lot of our time in New York. I love it here and am really excited about exploring a whole new world and throwing the doors open onto new artistic horizons. Already I’ve heard some incredibly inspiring music, including John Hebert’s Rambling Confessions at the Jazz Standard, (his album launch – and the CD is truly brilliant), John Zorn’s Electric Masada at the Village Vanguard, a killing John Malaby set and I’ve been playing Jen Shyu’s stunning new album Sounds and Cries of the World over and over. Can’t wait to hear her live! Tonight I’m off to the Jazz Standard to hear Billy Child’s ‘Map To The Treasure’. I’ve been a long time fan of his music and his new arrangements of Laura Nyro’s songs are exquisite. She had a wild musical spirit and the expansive soundscape of her songs embody a real sense of freedom. Billy’s settings expound on this and let their true beauty ring out.
We’ve just returned from some great gigs in the UK. Thanks to Anne Rigg at http://righttempoagency.com/ for her top organizational skills. It was a real joy to play the first gig of our new collaboration with pianist and composer Julian Joseph – we look forward to many more! Also, thanks to pianist Liam Noble, double bassist Dave Whitford, cellist Kate Shortt & double bassist Mark Lewandowski who were fab at the other various gigs. There are links to two reviews from this series of gigs; one from the South Coast Jazz Festival and one from our concert at Kings Place, London.
Finally, on a very personal note, I’m delighted to report that our cat Millie made a successful journey across the ocean and arrived safely yesterday. She seems to be settling in fine and spent a long hour during the night staring out the window at a racoon who had decided to spend some time on our back porch. There’s a whole new world of animals to discover here!!
Speak to you again soon with more news. C xx
http://www.jazzviews.net/lr—south-coast-jazz-festival-2016.html
http://www.londonjazznews.com/2016/01/review-winter-sun-christine-tobin-phil.html
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Looking forward to my gig in New York Nov. 9 as a guest at Muldoon’s Picnic at the Irish Arts Center. I’ll be singing some of the new songs from my forthcoming album ‘Pelt’ to be released Spring 2016 – a collection of my settings of poems and lyrics by Paul Muldoon. Phil Robson will be playing guitar with me. Then not long to go before this year’s EFG London Jazz Festival. I sing ‘I Love Elis’ at the Albert Hall, Elgar Room Nov 22nd. A celebration of songs recorded by the great Brazilian icon Elis Regina – calling all Brazilian music lovers – come on down! Tickets available now, see Live Dates for details or go directly to
http://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2015/efg-london-jazz-festival-christine-tobin/
So delighted to be nominated in the Composer category for the 80th ANNUAL DOWNBEAT READERS POLL If any of you would like to vote for me, you can do at this direct link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DBReadersPoll
Thank You!!
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Wonderful to be playing with Nigel Kennedy, the Oxford Philomusica & Cleveland Watkiss at the Barbican, London on May 25!!
Looking forward to playing at the Hull Truck tonight! April 30
International Jazz Day at the Truck Theatre
‘I Love Elis’ a celebration of the songs recorded by the great Brazilian
singer & icon Elis Regina. With Kate Shortt cello, Phil Robson guitar
& Mark Lewandowski double bass www.hulltruck.co.uk 8pm
Next London date is March 28 at the beautiful venue
St. James Theatre The Studio. It will be the first time to play
our ‘A Thousand Kisses Deep’ Cohen songs in London since our
CD launch at Ronnie Scotts a year ago. I’m delighted to have the full
band for this concert: with the fab Huw Warren accordion & piano,
Phil Robson guitar, Dave Whitford double bass & Adriano Adewale percussion.
12 Palace Street London SW1E 5JAT. 0844 264 2140
http://www.stjamestheatre.co.uk
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A wonderful end to 2014 with ‘A Thousand Kisses Deep’
coming up in so many ‘Best of/favourite Albums of 2014’ lists.
Thanks so much to all of the magazines, websites & journalists
(see links below). And of course special thanks to the wonderful
musicians on the CD, Curtis Schwartz Studios,
artist Maxine Sutton & Designmap.
Here’s a list with links to the reviews:
No 3 in the Jazzwise Critic’s Poll of the ‘Top 20 New Releases 2014‘
http://www.jazzwisemagazine.com/…/13357-michael-wollny-trio…
The Arts Desk ‘Album of the Year’ 2014 best of list!
THEARTSDESK.COM Peter Quinn
http://www.theartsdesk.com/…/album-year-jason-moran-all-ris…
No. 12 in the Jazz Breakfast’s favourite Top 50 CDs of 2014.
http://thejazzbreakfast.com/…/…/11/festive-50-numbers-20-11/
Peter Bacon
No. 7 in Marlbank’s 2014 Jazz Vocals Choice
http://www.marlbank.net/ Stephen Graham
All About Jazz Bruce Lindsays
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/bruce-lindsays-favorite-albums-…
Listen to 3 of our tracks from our London Jazz Festival
gig at the Southbank
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04prk8m our set is at 1:02:26
Back in UK after a wonderful concert in Moscow for Radio Jazz 89.1 FM at the Estrada Theatre with Liam Noble piano, Dave Whitford double bass & Ernesto Simpson drums. My first time to play in Moscow. What a beautiful city and we were given a warm, enthusiastic welcome by the audience. I hope we go back for more gigs soon! Below, some photos of us hanging out after the gig. Pics of the concert to be posted soon. Meanwhile, I look forward to playing with Phil Robson on 1st November at Ed Gaughan’s ‘Night of Stuff’ at Shoreditch Town Hall, London EC1. We’re at the Spin, Oxford Nov. 6. Then on Nov. 11 at the Padova Jazz Festival, Italy. Back to the UK for the London Jazz Festival – our gig at the Clore Ballroom, South Bank Centre on Nov. 15 at 3pm. We play a set for BBC Radio 3’s Jazz Line-up. It’s going to be fun. Looking forward to seeing you all at this live recording.
Photos of concert at the Estrada Theatre, Moscow by Dmitriy Semyonushkin
at the Hotel Ukrania
After the concert in Estrada Theatre
June 2014 “A Thousand Kisses Deep” (Trail Belle) has received a four star review in the latest issue of
Roots / Folk / Rock / Blues / World publication R2 / Rock ‘N’ Reel… click on review to enlarge
Back home after tour of Scotland
Thanks to the fabulous Phil Robson & Dave Whitford for their great musicianship!! Also to everyone who came out to see us during our tour of Scotland.Here are some photos & great reviews including a 5***** review in
The Herald of our final date in Stirling. We’ll be back in Scotland soon at the Glasgow Jazz Festival on June 26 http://www.jazzfest.co.uk/programme/christine-tobin-sings-leonard-cohen/
http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-ents/music/review-music.24373385
Christine, Phil & Dave taking a break near Scotch Corner during the drive back from Scotland to Margate!!..the Outsiders……….
We’re having a wonderful time touring Scotland……….only 3 dates left so it will coming to an end all too soon!
Tonight we at Queens Hall. Edinburgh. Here are some great reviews we’ve had from our gigs and a few photos as well
Talking ‘hair’ and other important matters such as apples etc with the ponies near Ben Nevis
l
Look to see where the cows have gone at Lyth near Wick…way up North!
Top review of our Dingwall gig at The Greenhouse on Sat.
http://invernessgigs.co.uk/2014/05/25/jazz-greenhouse-hallelujah/
Christine Tobin at The Greenhouse 25/5/14: a review.invernessgigs.co.uk
://instrumentali.com/2014/05/24/tales-for-the-telling-christine-tobin-live-on-the-frigate-unicorn-dundee-24-5-14/
It was great night. Congratulations to all of the winners and nominees xx Thanks to AAPJAG and PPL for hosting a wonderful evening. More exciting times next week when we start our tour of Scotland in Aberdeen on the 22nd of May. We play in Sheffield at the Lescar on our way up on 21st.
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Just heard that I’ve been shortlisted for ‘Jazz Vocalist of the Year’ at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards. The other nominees are Norma Winstone, Zara MacFarlane and Lauren Kinsella – proud to be alongside them! The awards ceremony takes place in early May!!
BBC Music Magazine April 2014 ( 5 star review )
Jazz and poetry have often had strong links and vocalist Christine Tobin has struck gold with this album that focuses on the works of Canadian poet and folk hero Leonard Cohen. Tobin’s last disc set the work of WB Yeats, a poet who was also a key influence on Cohen. And for her latest, she tackles tunes from across Cohen’s long career (he is 80 this year), including his famous ‘Suzanne’ . She uses he own distinctive jazz style, unlocking the subtleties of Cohen’s incisive observations and moods. This works well for those who are both familiar, or less so, with his output. Whether it’s the gentle accordion of Huw Warren, the resonant bass of Dave Whitford, or the one-track addition of pianist Gwilym Simcock, the band enables Tobin to re-define Cohen’s tunes with a razor-sharp clarity. Like the best poetry, this album leaves a long lasting impression. Neil McKim
PERFORMANCE *****
RECORDING *****
BBC Music Direct £18.99
Ahead of Christine’s CD launch at Ronnie Scotts on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day –
‘A Thousand Kisses Deep’ is Jazz FM’s current Album of the Week (w/c 3rd March)
– meaning lots of play during their daytime schedule!
.A news item has been posted on the stations website:
http://www.jazzfm.com/
http://jazzfm.com/news/
http://jazzfm.com/news/Album-of-the-week-w-c-3rd-March/
CHRISTINE ON BBC RADIO 3’S JAZZ LINE-UP – 3 SONGS & INTERVIEW
On Nov 2nd Christine is Julian Joseph‘s guest on BBC Radio 3’s ‘Jazz Line up’. Click on the link below to listen to the interview and a live duo performance by Christine & Julian. Also hear the track “Famous Blue Raincoat” from her forthcoming CD “A Thousand Kisses Deep”, a world exclusive for Jazz Line-up!!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006tnmw available to listen again for 7 days.
LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL 2013 Christine brings her Herald Angel Award winning show to the Southbank
CHRISTINE TOBIN – A Thousand Kisses Deep
at EFG LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL, Purcell Room, Southbank Nov.19
Plus a great set from vocalist & Revoice Festival Queen, Georgia Mancio
with Gareth Lockrane flutes & Geoff Gascoyne double bass.
Christine sings Leonard Cohen songs from her forthcoming album. With Huw Warren accordion, Phil Robson guitar, Dave Whitford double bass & Adriano Adewale percussion. Listen to preview clips from the new CD at the link below!
https://soundcloud.com/christine-tobin/sets/a-thousand-kisses-deep-preview
Book tickets:
http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/christine-tobin-sings-leonard-78744
Tobin wins top prize at Edinburgh Festival – Herald Angel Awards 2013
press release
Jazz singer and composer Christine Tobin has won a Herald Angel for her performance of her programme of Leonard Cohen songs, A Thousand Kisses Deep, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
The concert, part of the inaugural British Vocal Jazz Festival in the Scottish capital, was Tobin’s first-ever appearance at the world’s biggest arts festival and featured her trio with guitarist Phil Robson and bassist Dave Whitford playing their arrangements of Cohen favourites including Suzanne and Famous Blue Raincoat interlaced with jazz standards and Bobbie Gentry’s Ode to Billy Joe.
Now in their nineteenth year, the Herald Angels are awarded by Glasgow-based newspaper The Herald for excellence across the range of festivals that take place in Edinburgh during August and are much-coveted among performers, companies and event organisers. Previous winners with a jazz connection include The Bad Plus, Jack Bruce, pianists Leo Blanco, Louis Durra and Brian Kellock, trumpeter Colin Steele and drummer Tom Bancroft.
The award follows Tobin’s success in the 2012 British Composer Awards, where she won an award for best contemporary jazz composition for her album Sailing To Byzantium, on which the Dublin-born artist combined jazz compositions with the poetry of W.B. Yeats.
“I’m delighted and surprised to win the Herald Angel, especially as the other winners came from across an arts spectrum that included ballet, literature and classical music,” says Tobin. “It’s a reward not just for me but also for Phil and Dave who put so much into the music and are a joy to work with.”
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JULIAN JOSEPH performs Windows into Tristan an Isolde; a modern reworking of the great romance immortalized by Wagner
Christine has been invited to sing with the fabulous Julian Joseph All Star Big Band alongside stellar singers Carleen Anderson, Cleveland Watkiss and Ken Papenfus at the Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House on 22nd September 2013.
2013 Parliamentary Jazz Awards Shortlist announced
Christine Tobin shortlisted for two Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2013
Christine nominated for Musician of the Year &
Sailing to Byzantium nominated for Album of the Year
see full shortlist info at link below. Awards ceremony on 8th May.
http://jazzwisemagazine.com/news-mainmenu-139/70-2013/12668-jazz-breaking-news-2013-parliamentary-jazz-awards-nominations-announced
Sailing To Byzantium named CD of the Year
The Arts Desk 5***** star review by Peter Quinn
http://www.theartsdesk.com/new-music/cd-year-christine-tobin-%E2%80%93-sailing-byzantium
Sailing To Byzantium No 7 in The Jazz Breakfast’s Favourite 50 Albums of 2012 http://thejazzbreakfast.com/festive-fifty/
OUT WITH PAGANISM….AND ALL THAT JAZZ
Christine Tobin presents a documentary on RTE Lyric FM –
“Really fascinating story of the Irish anti-jazz campaign presented by
Christine Tobin & produced by the unparalleled Ruth Fitzsimons “http://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/rteradioweb.html#!rii=16:3448904:2412:07-12-2012
Christine wins a 2012 British Composer Award
full list http://www.britishcomposerawards.com/news.php?idn=770&p=1#i770 Awards ceremony broadcast by BBC Radio 3
Sailing To Byzantium No 4 Jazzwise “Top 20 Albums of 2012”
Christine’s Jazz Services Tour to promote her new CD Sailing To Byzantium has been going really well. The dates were UK wide with a special gig in the middle at the Cork Jazz Festival. The beautiful Triskel Christchurch was the perfect venue for the settings of the Yeats poems. There are 2 more dates left to go and they are Novemmber 17 at Derby’s Deda Theatre & then November 30 at The Fleece Jazz at Stoke By Nayland (see live dates for full details). The Derby date will include the brilliant flautist Gareth Lockrane!
Special Jazz Night in Margate at the Westcoast Bar Friday August 10th
The legendary Peter King U.K. sax giant comes to Margate for one night only.
The stellar band with Peter will be Phil Robson guitar, Dave Whitford double bass & U.S. drummer Doug Sides.
Christine Tobin will be the host for the evening and will sing some songs too! Great jazz club space – top vibe!
Doors 745pm Adm £10 Tickets on the door on the night
Westcoast Bar, King Street, Margate, CT9 1DD
Listen again to Christine on the Jamie Cullum Show
Tues July 31st: BBC Radio 2 interview on Jamie Cullum Show
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01l7pkj/Jamie_Cullum_Christine_Tobin_Interview/
CD LAUNCH THIS FRIDAY 6th JULY at the VORTEX
SPECIAL 2 night residency Sat 7th July Tapestry Unravelled duo with Liam Noble.
Feature about new CD in July issue of Jazzwise out now also great review see below…..
JAZZWISE issue 165 July review by Peter Quinn
Christine Tobin
Sailing to Byzantium
Trail Belle Records **** Recommended
In this beautiful collection of songs based on the poetry of WB Yeats, vocalist Christine Tobin has created an unqualified masterpiece. Setting poems from across the entire spectrum of Yeats’ oeuvre, Tobin perfectly gauges the emotional and spiritual resonances of the texts, aided by performances of incredible subtlety and understatement. The singer nails her beguilingly pure tone and melodic fecundity to the mast from the get-go in the autumnal opener “When You Are Old”. In the music’s simplicity and emotional directness – songs such as “What Then?” , “The Wild Swans at Coole” and “Sailing To Byzantium” channel a folk-like potency and restraint – you might be able to detect residual traces of her previous release, Tapestry Unravelled. Special guest Gabriel Byrne, Tobin’s former school teacher in Dublin, recites “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” (adroitly accompanied by the singer on piano). “The Pity of Love” and “The White Birds”, and if his presence on the album helps to attract the attention of a wider audience then so much the better. Creating a sound-world all of its own, the seductive spell of Sailing To Byzantium is immediate, its depth of feeling limitless. Discs of this stature are not common – this is recommended unreservedly. Peter Quinn
Briliant review of Sailing To Byzantium on All About Jazz
By
Published: June 18, 2012
On Sailing To Byzantium singer/songwriter Christine Tobin adds music to the poems of Ireland’s much-loved William Butler Yeats (1865-1939). Get this wrong, and an entire nation might well demand answers: get it right and a richly imaginative and beautiful recording is promised. Tobin gets it right.
Tobin’s love of Yeats goes back to her teens in Dublin, when her first boyfriend would read her two of the poems: the beautiful “When You Are Old” and the mysterious “The Song Of Wandering Aengus.” Sailing To Byzantium originated in Tobin’s 2010 performance of Yeats’ poems, given at the invitation of the National Library Of Ireland. Her emotional connection to Yeats’ words comes across in every line—in a career of superb vocal performances, this may well be Tobin’s best yet.
Tobin is both a masterful songwriter and a skilful interpreter of other writers’ work; her 2010 album with pianist Liam Noble, Tapestry Unravelled (Trail Belle), superbly reworks Carole King’s iconic recording. Noble is also a central presence on Sailing To Byzantium, driving the pace of “The Song Of Wandering Aengus,” emphasizing the fearful mystery of “The Second Coming.” His rhythm playing, in partnership with bassist Dave Whitford, provides a strong foundation from which their fellow players take a variety of fascinating paths.
Each musician seems to intuitively understand Tobin’s musical ideas. Kate Shortt‘s cello adds pathos to “When You Are Old” and heightens the sense of regret in “The Wild Swans At Coole.” Phil Robson‘s playing is graceful and fluid, his solo on “The Fisherman” matching Tobin’s voice in its beauty. On “Byzantium” the pair combines on a lovely tune reminiscent of Robert Kirby’s arrangements for Nick Drake.
Gabriel Byrne, now better known as the star of Hollywood movies such as The Usual Suspects (1995), was Tobin’s teacher at school in Dublin. Byrne accepted Tobin’s invitation to read three poems and brings his own gravitas to the proceedings. Tobin gives him space, keeping instrumentation to a minimum. Byrne reads the moving “The Pity Of Love” unaccompanied; on “The Lake Isle Of Innisfree,” a poem that longs for the peace of a “bee-loud glade,” he’s joined by Tobin’s lyrical but sparse piano; for “The White Birds” Gareth Lockrane joins him in a flute and voice duet.
Much of the success of this album is down to the way in which Tobin’s music serves Yeats’ words. The poems are always the primary focus, inspiring the music and the performances. Tobin gets the combination just right, giving emphasis to Yeats’ imagery and emotions, highlighting the subtler nuances, and opening the poems up to offer a new experience. She does this so successfully, that it’s possible to forgive anyone who asks how Yates has managed to write such beautiful lyrics to Tobin’s tunes. There’s a timeless quality to the music and words on Sailing To Byzantium: a record that goes, as “The Lake Isle Of Innisfree” puts it, to “the deep heart’s core.”
Track Listing: When You Are Old; The Lake Isle Of Innisfree; The Song Of Wandering Aengus; The Wild Swans At Coole; The Fisherman; The Pity Of Love; The Second Coming; In Memory Of Eva Gore-Booth and Constance Markievicz; What Then?; Sailing To Byzantium; Byzantium; Long-Legged Fly; The White Birds.
Personnel: Christine Tobin: vocals, piano (2); Liam Noble: piano; Phil Robson: guitar; Kate Shortt: cello; Dave Whitford: double bass; Gareth Lockrane: flutes (3, 5, 9, 10, 13); Gabriel Byrne: reader (2, 6, 13).
SAILING TO BYZANTIUM CD LAUNCH GIG JULY 6th at VORTEX, LONDON part of 2 night CHRISTINE TOBIN SPECIAL at the Vortex.
CD release date 2nd July
NEW CD – SAILING TO BYZANTIUM – will be released on July 2nd 2012 on Trail Belle Records. The CD is a collection of 12 poems by W. B. Yeats, arranged and set to music by Christine. The line-up includes the spellbinding tones of actor Gabriel Byrne, who recites three poems on the recording and musicians; Gareth Lockrane flutes, Kate Shortt cello, Phil Robson guitars, Liam Noble piano and Dave Whitford double bass. The CD was recorded at the wonderful CS Studios, Ardingly by engineer Curtis Schwartz. This is the same studios where Christine recorded her much revered Tapestry Unravelled album with Liam Noble. Also continuing the link with the Tapestry Unravelled CD, artist and founder of Blackbird, Maxine Sutton is providing some of her gorgeous textile artwork for the cover and the overall design will be compiled by the talented team at Designmap. Christine will be touring the band during the Summer & Autumn at festivals and venues throughout the UK. Keep an eye on Live Dates on this site for all shows.
November 15
LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL: PURCELL ROOM, SOUTH BANK CENTRE
“Sailing To Byzantium” New concert of poems by WB Yeats set to music by Christine. with Kate Shortt cello, Phil Robson guitar, Dave Whitford double bass and Liam Noble piano. This concert is a double bill with Phil Robson’s IMS Quintet featuring Mark Turner. To book tickets click on the link:
http://www.londonjazzfestival.org.uk/events/2011-11-15/phil-robsons-ims-quintet-featuring-mark-turner-christine-tobin
NEW CD! Christine is pleased to let you know that she is currently recording her new CD Sailing To Byzantium. Six of the tracks have already been recorded and the remaining 4 will be complete very soon. 3 tracks will be posted on the site within the next week. Meanwhile if you click on the link below you can hear Christine’s setting of beautiful W. B. Yeats poem “The Wild Swans At Coole”. The musicians are: Kate Shortt cello, Liam Noble piano, Phil Robson guitar & Dave Whitford double bass. All 10 of the Yeats poems set to music by Christine can be heard live at the Purcell Room, Southbank Centre on Nov 15th as part of the London Jazz Festival. Looking forward to seeing you there. CD to be released 2012.
http://soundcloud.com/christine-tobin/the-wild-swans-at-coole
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Christine nominated for London Jazz Award 2011 at the London Festival Fringe
See link below for full details
http://www.londonfestivalfringe.com/general/awards2011/jazz/
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BBC Music Magazine 5***** Review of Tapestry Unravelled!
“I know of no album quite like this and I recommend it utterly.” BBC Music Magazine
http://www.bbcmusicmagazine.com
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Jamie Cullum fundraising concert at Margate Winter Gardens with Ian Shaw, Lianne Carroll, Christine Tobin & Barry Green Trio On Friday 4th of Feb the Winter Gardens was ALIVE with great voices, music and a massive cheering crowd. This was an amazing night and will ensure that the Margate Jazz Festival will happen again this summer in July and also some funds raised will go to support the Vortex Jazz Club in Dalston London. Thanks to all the great voices and a fantastic audience!
Christine would like to thank everyone who came to her Tapestry Unravelled concert at the John Field Room in Dublin. The gig was a huge success. A great time was had by all and Christine would like to apologise to all those who were unable to buy a CD because they were sold out within the first 10 minutes of the break! See the Contact page of this site for buying CDs and next time she plays Dublin – she’ll bring a truckload!
Look out for “Sailing To Byzantium” Christine’s new project which will be touring the festivals around Ireland later in 2011. This is a concert of 12 WB Yeats poems set to music by Christine. The group will be voice, guitar, double bass & violin. Here are some of the poems she will set: Long-legged Fly, An Acre Of Grass, The Second Coming, Byzantium, The Fisherman, The Song Of Wandering Aengus, When You Are Old, In Memory Of Eva Gore-Booth and Con Markiewicz and Sailing To Byzantium.
Tapestry Unravelled, Christine’s 2010 album with Liam Noble has been chosen by 3 journalists for their list of “Albums Of The Year” in the current issue of Jazzwise. Bravo!! Also it was chosen as one of the best of the year on the All About Jazz site.
Reviews of Christine’s gig at the Berlin Jazz Festival on Nov 7 2010
“Christlne Tobin should be considered the best female singer of the festival with her infallible sense for timing, intonation and the integration of her voice with the other instruments in the band. Her encore ‘Embraceable you’ could serve as a model for the kind of music that we would have liked to have seen more of at the festival.” Franziska Buhre, Berlin. Nov 12, 2010
“Glücklich durfte man auch seln, dass endlich mal wieder jemand an Christine Tobin gedacht hat. Die in England lebende Irin ist mit ihrer abgründigen Stimme und den phliosophischen Texten immer noch eine überragende Erscheinung im Uberfluss des weiblichen Jazzgesangs.” Ulrich Olshausen, Frankfurter Allgemeine
See English translation below…………………………….
“One also could be counted lucky that somebody had thought of Christine Tobin again. With her unfathomable voice and philosophical lyrics the Irish-born singer who now lives in England is still an outstanding phenomenon among the plethora of female jazz vocalists.” Ulrich Olshausen Frankfurter Allgemeine
CORK JAZZ FESTIVAL ……..
Christine is off to the Cork Jazz Festival tomorrow with her band Phil Robson guitar, Dave Whitford double bass and Gene Calderazzo drums. They’re playing at the Legends Suite in the Festival Club, a late gig starts at 11:45pm. Then Sunday afternoon 2pm they play as part of the BBC Radio 3’s Jazz Line-up broadcast from the Clarion Hotel.
EXCITING NEWS!!
4**** REVIEW IN THE GUARDIAN Wed 22nd Sept. & 5 ***** REVIEW IN BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE Sept issue
Following a great 4 ****Star review in the Guardian of their most recent live gig of Tapestry Unravelled at London’s 606 Club, Christine & Liam are eagerly awaiting the next gig for their Carole King songs which will be at the wonderful NCEM venue in York. This superb venue is perfect for this intimate concert. The piano and acoustics are some of the best in the country. We advise early booking Tel: 01904 658338 www.ncem.co.uk
LONDON JAZZ AWARDS 2010: Christine has been shortlisted for the London Jazz Vocalist Award. The Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho will host an evening on August 16th at which the winners of this year’s London Jazz Awards will be announced. For more information about the London Jazz Awards click on the link below.
http://www.globalmusicfoundation.org/londonjazzawards.html
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SUMMER’S WREATH 2010 Christine sings at the National Library of Ireland on 28th June 2010
Christine has been invited to perform at this year’s ‘Summer’s Wreath’, a month long celebration of the works of the Irish poet William Butler Yeats. Leading names from the world of music, stage, screen, visual arts, politics, literature and academia are coming together at the National Library of Ireland this June for its annual month-long celebration of the life and works of William Butler Yeats. With the programme now in it’s 4th year, ‘Summer’s Wreath 2010’ offers free public readings, reflections, lectures and performances and will feature many prominent female contributors this year echoing the passionate and complex relationship which Yeats had with women throughout his life
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Great review on The Arts Desk by Peter Quinn of Tapestry Unravelled’s latest gig at Lauderdale House
Written Friday 7th May 2010 check out the link below or go to Press and click on Recent Press on this site
Breaking news! Tapestry Unravelled will be released on June 28th
Look out for the feature about this sensational new CD in the May issue of Jazzwise. Here are some of the live dates you can catch Christine and Liam playing the songs from their new album. Lots more in the planning to be posted very soon so watch this space.
Cheltenham International Jazz Festival Pillar Room May 3
London Lauderdale House May 6
Hull Truck Theatre May 15
Cambridge Kettles Yard, Cambridge Modern Jazz Club June 4
Glasgow International Jazz Festival City Halls June 24
Dalston, London Vortex July 3
Harrogate International Festival Crown Hotel July 19
Broadstairs Folk Week Hilderstone Theatre Aug. 7
Chelsea London 606 Club Sept 19
York National Centre For Early Music Oct. 15
Crawley The Hawth Arts Centre Oct. 28
Basingstoke The Anvil Oct 30
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Tapestry Unravelled due for release soon!
‘Tapestry Unravelled’ is a beautiful and elegant re-working of songs from Carole King’s beloved classic 1971 album Tapestry plus one original from the BBC Jazz Awards Best Vocalist Christine Tobin and the highly acclaimed UK jazz pianist Liam Noble.
Tobin and Noble’s deferential exploration reveals a deep understanding of the universal relationship between music and emotion. From a smouldering ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow’ to a dynamic ‘I Feel The Earth Move’, Tobin and Noble show the range of energy, pace and strength of feeling that can be achieved through the simple, yet most impactful arrangement of piano and voice.
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