Moore & Fairhall
Olivia Moore – Violin
Adam Fairhall — Accordion
Moore and Fairhall are a folk-jazz accordion and violin duo, based in Manchester. They bring together Indian Ragas, American Folk and jazz from all eras, resulting in music that is lyrical, passionate and highly rhythmic. Adam and Olivia met when they were selected for Edition VI of Serious’ prestigious ‘Take Five’ Artist Development Scheme and this duo is the result of their shared interest in a jazz approach to folk and world traditions.
We have performed to enthusiastic audiences at Matt and Phreds, Cloudwater Brewery, Manchester Buddhist Centre and at the Lescar in Sheffield. We are about to start recording our debut album.
Adam (Accordion) is best known as the pianist in Nat Birchall’s acclaimed Coltrane-inspired groups, and for his trademark ‘ragtime-to-free’ eclecticism as a jazz pianist. Over the past several years he has been working intensely on his accordion playing to get closer to the folk and roots music which has always informed his approach. The result is an accordion style that incorporates ostinato baselines, innovative rhythmic bellow techniques and free-flowing melodic improvisation.
“A hugely accomplished instrumentalist” — The Wire.
“Adam is a total star” - Independent on Sunday.
Unfurl
Olivia Moore – Violin
Jim Faulkner — Electric Guitar
Gavin Barras – Bass
John Ball – Indian Santoor and Tabla
Jack McCarthy — Percussion
Unfurl achieve their own unique melange of styles, particularly that of Indian music and jazz and in this, they sound like no other band. Their music is accessible for all and there is enough musical content and virtuosity to satisfy any avid music lover. As their track titles suggest, their music is influenced by the earth and nature. Through their heartfelt expression, they take the listener on an uplifting journey into the sublime.
Apart from being influenced by the jazz greats and various Indian legendary musicians and singers such as Hariprasad Chaurasia, Kala Ramnath and Zakir Hussain, Unfurl’s music is influenced by John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra. The band like to create rhythmic interest in their music, writing many of the tunes in 7/4 and are keen on cross-rhythms and syncopation.
Unfurl have been enthusiastically received at numerous Jazz festivals across the country, including Manchester, Marsden, Marlborough, Brecon, Gateshead and London Jazz Festivals as well as in numerous clubs and theatre venues across the country.
In 2013 they were awarded a touring grant from “Jazz North” and an Arts Council England R&D Grant which allowed them to develop their material. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB2yt8WZVhM
“Different” and “Refreshing”, Tony Dudley-Evans @ Birmingham Symphony Hall Foyer.
“Wonderfully Eclectic Music” Scarborough Jazz.
“Unfurl are a wonderful group of musicians who combine incredible musical subtlety and refinement with a real sense of musical adventure and exploration”, Neil Campbell @ Liverpool Jazz Festival.
Jim Faulkner is an extremely accomplished guitarist and can be heard in genres as diverse as straight ahead jazz, world music, contemporary classical music and progressive rock. He performs internationally and is a busy educator, holding teaching positions at LIPA, Chetham’s School of Music and gives regular workshops at the RNCM.
Gavin Barras is a permanent fixture on the UK bass scene, acting as the bassist for Manchester based spiritual jazz Trumpeter Matthew Halsall and Arun Ghosh and a plethora of other artists in the North. He also teaches the double bass and the guitar.
John Ball, our tabla and santoor player, is the other Indian exponent in the band. He is a regular performer both as a classical soloist and is a member also of the fusion bands Mishra and Rafiki Jazz. He regularly tours with Indian dance companies led by Balbir Singh and Jaivant Patel and teaches at Sheffield University.
Jack McCarthy, our new percussionist spent his formative years studying with master musicians in West Africa and Cuba and his drive to further his knowledge has led him, more recently to Southern Spain to explore flamenco and Arabic percussion techniques. He has performed all over Europe with various artists, most notably the Drum and Bass legend ‘London Elektricity’ and trumpeter Matthew Halsall. He currently tours with The Lion King in the UK and Ireland.