Joe Stoddart previews the upcoming Trinity Laban Inside Out Festival, taking place at various venues in Greenwich and across London from 22nd – 27th June. 

The festival begins on Sunday at Pizza Express, Dean Street with a reimagining of John Zorn’s 1990 album Naked City led by Trinity Laban head of composition Dominic Murcott & piano supremo Liam Noble. Support on the night comes from Brazilian guitarist Filipe Monteiro’s quintet, a duo from sax player Theo Erskine and pianist Joe Armon-Jones and a quintet of 4th year students.

The festival continues at The Vortex on Monday with Pete Churchill leading a 35-strong choir for a set of “jazz, gospel, soul, folk and much more” before a set from the Trinity Laban Jazz Ensemble directed by Gareth Lockrane and featuring special guest Steve Fishwick on trumpet.

On Tuesday, saxophonist Martin Speake makes two appearances, firstly performing a lunchtime recital with pianist Douglas Finch in The Chapel, Old Royal Naval College before a gig at Oliver’s in the evening. There’s more jazz at Oliver’s on Wednesday evening with pianist Andrea Vicari as well as trombonist and vocalist Malcolm Earle-Smith on Thursday. After they “weave through the streets of Greenwich” from 5pm, a New Orleans Party Band will lead to Butler’s Bar in the Trinity Laban  campus before Earle-Smith is joined at Oliver’s by guests Enrico Tomasso (trumpet) and Jean-Marie Fagon (guitar) for an evening of New Orleans jazz.

The festival finishes at Oliver’s on Friday with a ‘Jazz Singer’s Night’ led by Trinity Laban’s head of jazz Simon Purcell and Pete Churchill as well as a set from renowned trumpet player Dick Pearce.

Admission for all events apart from the gigs at Pizza Express and The Vortex is free and more information can be found HERE.