THIS summer, London-based Latin Jazz pianist John Crawford and his Quintet will be bringing their signature mix of Latin American music, Flamenco-infused rhythms and jazz to Ilkley.

Performing tunes from Crawford’s most recent album Times and Tides and from his debut Ulia River of Time, the group will make their debut at Ilkley Jazz Festival on Saturday, August 19. The quintet’s show will feature the line-up of musicians who are a steady presence in the pianist’s group both live and in the studio: Guillermo Hill (guitar); Richard Sadler (bass); Simon Pearson (drums); and Andres Ticino (percussion).

“A brightly varied outing, well away from the straight ahead” (Jazzwise), Crawford’s second album Times and Tides was released to critical acclaim in June 2016. Delving into the pianist’s passion for South American and Spanish musical traditions, the work features original compositions as well as new arrangements of folk songs and music by Tom Jobim, Salif Keita, and Pat Metheny. Times and Tides follows Crawford’s 2012 debut Ulia River of Time, which was nominated in the Best Jazz Album category at the Independent Music Awards.

Born in London of English/British parents, John Crawford was introduced to blues and South American folk during his childhood. He went on to work with Latin Jazz legends such as Airto Moreira, Giovanni Hidalgo, Eumir Deodato, Ed Motta, and Tito Allen to name a few, with appearances at Montreal Jazz Festival, DC Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Getxo Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scott’s, Royal Festival Hall, the 606 club, and Royal Albert Hall amongst other venues. His collaborations with UK Jazz artists on stage and in the recording studio include: Guida da Palma and Jazzinho, Tina May, Ola Onabule, Jason Yarde, Grupo X (of which he was a founder member) and many more. Besides performing, Crawford has also built a varied educational career as a teacher, workshop and big band leader, and - most recently - author. Among his books are Exploring Latin Piano (written with pianist Tim Richards, and published in 2011 by Schott) and Piano Globetrotters (2016 - Oxford University Press).

As part of the pianist’s debut at Ilkley Jazz Festival, Crawford will also lead a Latin Rhythms Masterclass on Sunday, August.

John crawford quintet will appear at the Winter Gardens on Saturday, August 19 at 8pm.

The Latin Rhythms Masterclass with John Crawford takes place at the Black Hat (Ilkley) on Sunday, August 20 at 10am as part of Ilkley Jazz Festival.