28.07.11 | BREACH AT SCHMAZZ @ THE CLUNY - 'GREAT STUFF'
Fantastic review of Breach @ The Cluny - July 26th

Graeme Stephen (guitar & electronics), Paul Harrison (organ & electronics) & Chris Wallace (drums).

In recent years the fertile Scottish jazz scene has regularly despatched a crop of fine young players down the A1 to play on Tyneside. Last night at Schmazz @ The Cluny the trio Breach played to an attentive crowd culminating in sustained applause long after winning an encore and returning to the stage.

So, this was a good gig! Graham Stephen is a master guitarist, organist
Paul Harrison is a multiple award winner, so too Canadian drummer Chris Wallace. The trio's music is difficult to categorise - modern jazz both ''contemporary'' and 1950s ''modern jazz'', Hammond groove elements, terrific swing sections and wonderful guitar playing.
Graeme Stephen has it all - great sound, great stylist, evoking McLaughlin, Scofield, Lagrene, the ''Great Guitars' of Byrd, Ellis and Kessel (and fellow Scot Martin Taylor!). The remarkable thing about Stephen is he can play a million notes yet still be the epitome of restraint and taste, never wasting a note.

Tunes from the debut CD On the Walk were aired including There It Is, Thirst, Horizons and Blink (Stephen exceptional on this one). The encore Makendonsko (based on an east European folk tune) was a number that didn't make it onto the CD - I hope it is on the next one!

Great stuff.

Russell.

29.06.11 | GRAEME STEPHEN VOTED 'INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR' AT THE SCOTTISH JAZZ AWARDS!!
Thick-Skinned Productions Ltd are thrilled to announce that Graeme has won the title of 'Instrumentalist of the Year' at the prestigious Scottish Jazz Awards 2011!

A fantastic night was had by all at the red carpet event, presented by the Scottish Jazz Federation and Jazz International.

Musicians, bands, promoters, educators and advocates for the music across the whole of Scotland’s thriving jazz scene were recognised, with nominations in twelve categories including Jazz Album/CD of the Year, Jazz Festival of the Year, Jazz Singer of the Year and Up and Coming Artist of the Year.

The awards were presented by a host of wonderful celebrities and featured music from the Brian Kellock Trio with a guest performance from singer Fionna Duncan.

A huge thanks to everyone who voted for Graeme!


For more information about the Scottish Jazz Awards, please follow the link to the Scottish Jazz Federation website.