Avellana

Doors 7pm / Performance 8pm

Avellana

Sonorous jazz for saxophone, guitar, bass, vibes and percussion from Avellana.

"Expect sensitive pieces on the borders of contemporary classical and jazz"

Simon Greening – Alto and Soprano Saxophones
Paul Mahon – Guitars and effects.
Glyn Owen – Drums and Percussion
Lawrie Jones – Electric Bass
Matt Daley - Vibraphone

About the Band:
The current version of Avellana was established post lockdown by Simon Greening and Paul Mahon who inspired by the sounds of contemporary jazz from the 1970s onwards,
had the desire to reinterpret the music using their own arrangements and abilities. They were later joined by Glyn Owen on percussion and more recently by Lawrie Jones on
bass and multi-instrumentalist and composer Matt Daley on vibraphone.

“Music has the power to transport us to another time and place”.

Paul Mahon loves to harness that power with a broad audience of music lovers. Ever since a young age, Paul has found great joy and satisfaction in making music and sharing it with people all over the world. Paul is well known for his guitar session work and performing in Europe whilst based in Dublin. He has credits on Irish radio and RTE. Although a competent performer in many musical styles, he has always had a passion for Jazz that flourished through performing with the Berkshire Youth Jazz Orchestra from 16 years of age through to his late twenties. He has played with the best UK jazz musicians such as Tina May, Peter King, John Parricelli and Jamie Cullum. Now based in Bristol, Paul is always searching for new and creative ways to share his passion for all things musical.

Saxophonist Simon Greening is a familiar figure in the Bristol music scene, playing in several bands - including founding jazz combos Green in Blue and Avellana - arranging workshops and promoting live music. Passionate about music in all forms but with no formal training Simon took up the saxophone as an adult and never stopped playing! Simon likes to collaborate with some of the many talented musicians in the Bristol area who share his musical passions.

Glyn Owen studied orchestral percussion in Secondary School and was a Member of Avon Schools Symphonic Wind band. He has spent many years perfecting the art of
listening to help perform with others and, as a newcomer to Jazz, brings a sense of innocence and excitement!

Matt Daley started learning classical piano as a child and soon graduated onto accompanying his jazz pianist father by drumming on pots and pans. His parents wanted
the pots and pans back and bought him a drum kit. He was soon playing in a range of groups including orchestras, jazz bands and brass bands. After university he concentrated to playing the piano and has for many years played in a variety of jazz groups in and around Bristol and the South West, most notably the well know Big R Big Band. Recently he has both taken up drumming, playing in another local big band, Portrait of Swing, and has fused the two instruments by taking up the vibraphone, a sort of half-way house between piano and percussion!

Lawrie Jones has played electric and upright bass for over 20 years. He started in rock bands, including Bristol-based Jebo, recording two albums with Genesis produced Johnny Burns. In the last decade he’s focused on playing acoustic and electric jazz, blues and folk.