Jazz@Kirkgate: Ben Crosland Quartet with Steve Waterman

22nd August 2027 7:30pm (Doors open at 6:30 pm)

Kirkgate Centre

Check this out!

“WOOLTOWN REFLECTIONS”

BEN CROSLAND QUARTET plus STEVE WATERMAN

ROD MASON – saxophones

DEAN STOCKDALE – piano

BEN CROSLAND – bass

DAVE TYAS – drums

STEVE WATERMAN – trumpet and flugelhorn

In 2006, Brian Bicat, then the much loved promoter of Jazz at the Priestley in Bradford, invited Ben Crosland to form a new Quartet. The original line up featured Rod Mason, Jamil Sherrif and Dave Tyas. 2026, accordingly,represents the 20th anniversary of the band’s formation. Over the years, the piano chair has been occupied, apart from Jamil, by Paul Kilvington, Jeremy Platt and, since 2021, by Dean Stockdale. Rod and Dave have been ever present in the Quartet.

Each member of the band is a leader in his own right and this relaxed joining of kindred spirits produces an open, mature and energetic performance in which there are no conflicting egos, only a desire to enjoy each other’s company, play good music and entertain.

To celebrate this milestone, Ben has written a new set of pieces, Wooltown Reflections, which reflect his various connections with the wool cityover many years. The band recorded these pieces with trumpet star Steve Waterman as special guest, together with two compositions by Waterman and one piece by Don Grolnick and the resultant album, its first, was launched in May 2026 at its appearance at JATPjazz, Bradford. The Quartet is touring the music from Wooltown Reflections with Steve to enthusiastic audiences across the north of England.

PRESS

‘The writing is of high quality throughout; mostly Crosland originals with two from Waterman and a version of a favourite Don Grolnick number; and all with a strong sense of melody making this an album that is easy to love… Like opening a box of jewels, you will discover many sparkling gems in this uplifting album – a fitting celebration of a long-standing partnership that continues to surprise and enchant. Catch them on tour if you can.’

Jon Vernon, Jazz Views

‘An unaffectedly lyrical composer of direct and evocative melodies that draw in the uninitiated and jazz cognoscenti alike’

John Fordham, London Jazz News

‘Excellent northern bassist/bandleader’

The Guardian

‘Fluid and inventive contemporary bassist’

The Independent

‘His compositions are colourful, beguiling and thoroughly musical’

Mark Gilbert, Jazz Journal

‘The Crosland Quartet didn’t just hit the deck running, they cracked a few Olympic records in the process…I could go on and on waxing eloquently about this gig but I think by now you’ll have got the message that it was something special’.