If you love Jazz, and we know there are many of you out there that do, then you need to check out the Quay Jazz Cafe in July.
meta4 have been described as ‘one of the Island`s best kept secrets’. They play harmonic, melodious, inspiring, driving original jazz, composed by Bob Plimer and have been described as ‘A very important all island jazz collective’.
And the great thing is, we get to use the Plumley category again (it has been some time) as meta4 was formed by the main man himself, Mr Gary Plumley.
You want to know more about the band? Well here are the biogs …. in alphabetical order …
ALEX BLACK (bass) is the youngest member of meta4 but plays with a maturity that belies his years. Taught from early on by local bass maestro, Mick Cuff, he studied for two years at Platform One whilst also studying jazz theory with Gary Plumley. Unusually Alex took to jazz from an early age; folk, hip hop and afro-cuban have also influenced his fluid and solid style.
KEN BLACK (drums & percussion), better known as a windsurf sail designer of international repute, Ken actually started his working life as a touring musician, travelling extensively for ten years and playing every style from rock to show bands and jazz. Windsurfing took over his life for a while but six years ago Ken started spending more time studying music and playing with various bands again, culminating in the collaboration with Gary, Bob and Alex.
BOB PLIMER (jazz composer/piano and keyboards) first formed one of Edinburgh’s earliest Jazz Rock/Fusion bands ‘Pressure’ in the early 80’s. Bob moved to London via Newcastle and when not working as a session musician, he worked with many young jazz instrumentalists and vocalists. He has played at several major British Jazz festivals including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leeds, Bracknell etc. Finally, Bob moved to the Isle of Wight where he has continued to study and compose jazz and he is at present playing and writing new material exclusively for meta4.
GARY PLUMLEY (saxophonist) began his musical career as a guitarist at the age of 13 and just two years later was playing with the Jazz Group in Rochford. It wasn’t long before Gary sold his guitar having been taken by the sound of the sax. He soon acquired an old rattling alto sax and a fingering chart and taught himself to play. Gary’s playing soon measured up to a gleaming Selmer tenor and from then on things really took off for him – he gave up his day job as an electrician and moved to London to play jazz full time. His career has gone on to span 30 years and has seen him perform with big name artists such as George Michael and the Stereophonics.
Fri 13 Jul 8pm (Bar & Menu from 6.30pm)
Cafe Bar, Quay Arts
Ticket Price: £10 / £9
Box Office 01983 822490
