Launchpad Jazz Showcase - 10th March, 2022

What: Live music
Who: Emma Johnson’s Gravy Boat, The Mabgate Organ Trio and Greg Surmacz
Location: Howard Assembly Room, 46 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NU

A showcase of emerging talent from the thriving Leeds jazz scene, hosted by Launchpad.

Headlining the evening, Emma Johnson’s Gravy Boat is a contemporary, cinematic jazz quintet led by Leeds-based saxophonist and composer Emma Johnson. Emma’s writing displays a contemporary sound rooted by infectious melodies and the group have been described as demonstrating a “strong and joyful bond, immediately apparent in their sound”.

Support came from The Mabgate Organ Trio, who blend jazz, blues and instrumental funk in an ode to the material played in their weekly residencies in the jazz bars and basements of Leeds. Having learned a vast array of music, spanning many genres, the band began writing original material and blending it seamlessly with their sets.

We were very pleased Yorkshire-based musician Greg Surmacz also joined us for a solo electronic/woodwind performance. Graduating from Leeds College of Music with a BA in Jazz Studies, Greg’s tastes and interests take in everything from jazz and funk to hip-hop and electronic music. His music has been played on stations including BBC Radio 1, 1xtra, Radio 3, 6 Music, and through various projects he’s shared stages with acts including Bonobo, Roots Manuva, Nightmares On Wax and many more.

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Launchpad is delivered by Music Local to support the music sector throughout Yorkshire and supported by Youth Music with public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England and PRS Foundation’s Talent Development Partnership, supported by PPL as well as additional regional partners, Leeds 2023, arts@leeds and Leeds City Council.