HARVEY / O’HIGGINS PROJECT + HIS ‘N HERS

Currently promoting their new CD, ‘That’s the Way to Live!’ (Ubuntu Music), the Harvey / O’Higgins Project comprises Dave O’Higgins on tenor, Graham Harvey Piano, Jeremy Brown double bass and Josh Morrison drums.

Formed in 2019, the Harvey/O’Higgins Project concentrates its musical direction on the Hard Bop innovations of the late 50’s and early 60’s.

“an excellent ensemble, with that settled-in feeling that comes from knowing each other’s playing intimately” Dave Gelly, The Observer Rating: ★★★★

“the Harvey O’Higgins Project mainlines all the eternal values of great tone, melodic sweetness, rhythmic assurance and swing to blow your socks off.” Andy Robson, Jazzwise Rating: ★★★★

“to those who enjoy listening to uncomplicated, swinging jazz, this would undoubtedly be this year’s album of choice.” Roger Farbey, Jazz Journal Rating: ★★★★

His’n’Hers affectionately pits Mr & Mrs O’Higgins against each other as in the movie, Mr & Mrs Smith. In reality, this is a swinging “tough tenors” band in the good humoured tradition of the great Johnny Griffin – Eddie Lockjaw Davis group, who made nine albums together between 1960 and 1962. But what Griffin and Davis did together was not a competition, however apparently combative. It was collaboration, mutual inspiration and special because of both the similarity and contrast of the two protagonists.

Judith and Dave describe latest release Omicron: “The debut album was created days before the first lockdown, and the EP is a bookend, hence the aptness of ‘Omicron’. We were always working on expanding our repertoire and wrote the song ‘Calypso Collapso’ in this period. ‘Mister Magic’ was a playful suggestion that just seemed to work out. We can’t wait to get out on the road with this stuff!”.

The recording was made with a “new meets old” aesthetic: inspired by the 50s and 60s Rudy Van Gelder recordings in terms of transparency and natural fidelity, but also with a nod to contemporary sonic developments. The O’Higgins have been on a mission for over 10 years to create a jazz friendly, ribbon mics, spill-and-all recording environment and JVG Studio gets better all the time.

Tickets £16 / £14 concessions. Students £6.
Doors open 7pm, starts 7.30pm.

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