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Full BiographyA dominant presence on the UK jazz scene, Just East of Jazz continues to captivate audiences with their intimate live performances. Under the leadership of Jeremy Shoham, and building on extensive touring and three highly-acclaimed albums, the band has developed an instinctive empathy on stage and an organic creativity in composition and arrangement. The band was formed in 1993 by bandleader/saxophonist Jeremy Shoham out of a desire to integrate jazz and East European-influenced melodies and rhythms. His Jewish upbringing and his many years on the London jazz circuit (most notably seven years with Roland Perrin’s Evidence) provided the formative influences for the early compositions played by the band. Over the years, Jeremy’s writing & arranging has been enhanced with contributions from the other band members. The idiosyncratic sound has moved on from the original concept – it’s not klezmer, but listeners will hear the yearning echo of the shtetl. It’s not Hungarian but it goes down a treat with goulash. In his compositions you’ll hear Shoham’s subconscious at work, drawing on his suburban teenage fascination with American jazz, and a performing career that has taken in Mecca ballrooms, Klezmer barmitzvah bands, and Balkan revivalists Dunav. Just East of Jazz have performed all over Britain, with two major tours and gigs at over 70 venues and festivals. Their three CDs, Feast (2002), Swerve (1999) and Just East of Jazz (1996), have drawn an ecstatic response from the UK national and jazz press, and are played regularly on JazzFM and BBC radio. The band line-up includes Neil Angilley on piano and accordion – his numerous credits include US3, Snowboy, Down to the bone, Vanessa-Mae and James Galway! Regular collaborator Rick Finlay (percussion) currently plays in the London production of Blood Brothers, and has worked with Sinead O’Connor, Liane Carroll and Jacqui Dankworth. Phil Scragg (bass) has worked recently with Sigi Finkel, The Beautiful South, Billy Jenkins, Sax Appeal and Incantation (his mysterious past includes a period with Robert Plant). In the interests of “putting something back”, the band has led educational workshops on both their music and on the business of music for Jazz Services, Middlesex University and other organisations. Just East Of Jazz have their own website at www.justeastofjazz.co.uk Just East Of Jazz are Appointed Artists to South East Music Schemes 2004-2006 ~~~ Image GalleryClick a thumbnail for a medium-resolution image. If you need any high-resolution images, please contact us.
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