Jazz@Kirkgate: Johnny Hunter plays Elvin Jones (ft. Nat Birchall)

22nd September 2024 7:30pm (Doors open at 6:30 pm)

Kirkgate Centre

Johnny Hunter – drums

Nat Birchall – saxophones

Seth Bennett – double bass

Johnny Hunter has been a popular drummer on the Manchester Jazz scene for over 15 years. Perhaps most known for running the Matt & Phred's Jazz Jam for the past 10 years, Hunter is also a much in demand sideman, performing and recording with, among others, Steve Berry, Nat Birchall, Blind Monk Trio, Laura Cole's Metamorphic, Adam Fairhall, Ed Kainyek, Manchester Jazz Collective, Corey Mwamba, Cath Roberts, Chris Sharkey, Nishla Smith, and Neil Yates.

“Admirably reflects the independent creativity of the Manchester scene.” – John Fordham, The Guardian

Aside from this, he is a critically acclaimed composer and band leader in his own right. Named by Jazzwise as an “artist to watch”, he performs his own music across the UK and Europe with frequent radio broadcasts and regular appearances at esteemed venues such as Ronnie Scott’s, Southbank Centre, Band on the Wall, Matt and Phred's, Stoller Hall, Kings Place, Sage Gateshead, and Birmingham Symphony Hall.

“Connects authentically with jazz tradition, whilst developing his own voice through original composition – a fabulous advertisement for British jazz.”– London Jazz News

Influenced by John Coltrane and of course, Elvin Jones, it must be no surprise he has teamed up with superlative saxophonist, Nat Birchall. Hailed by Gilles Peterson as “one of the best musicians in the UK”, Birchall has quietly garnered a reputation as one of the country’s foremost creatives in the Jazz medium. Completing the trio is one of Hunter's longest and most frequent collaborator, Parliamentary award winning, double bass powerhouse, Seth Bennett.