Louise Gibbs

Vocalist and composer/lyricist Louise Gibbs is reunited with the original Seven Deadly Sings band: Tony Kofi (alto and baritone saxophones), Tim Whitehead (tenor saxophone, bass clarinet), Quentin Collins (trumpet), Tom White (trombone), Sam Leak (piano), Oli Hayhurst (bass), and Sam Gardner (drums) for the London premiere of Louise’s suite, Seven Deadly Sings. This is the band as on the eponymous recording released in 2014 which garnered a 4 star Jazzwise review:

“Both in its conception and execution, 7 Deadly Sings…is an unqualified triumph…From the hard-edged lines of ‘Envy’ and the stasis of ‘Sloth’ to the insistent ostinato of ‘Anger’, 7 Deadly Sings grips you to the very end.”

Louise wrote the 50-minute song suite  Seven Deadly Sings (lyrics, music and arrangements) to explore the idea of “sin” and desire in the 20th century, and to challenge herself beyond the standard jazz repertoire and the usual themes of romantic love. Held together by the singer’s wickedly provocative narrative, the suite demands an ensemble of virtuosi – strong improvising soloists and storytellers, each a protagonist for sin – alto sax for greed, tenor sax for lust, trumpet for envy, trombone for gluttony, piano for pride, double bass for sloth, drums for anger.

Seven Deadly Sings will be performed on Wednesday 17 June, 8pm, at the Bulls Head in Barnes (373 Lonsdale Rd, Barnes, London SW13 9PY) together with a set of Monk and Monk-inspired material from the band. It’s part of the Way Out West series of jazz gigs at “the Bull”.