Jazz Series - MEIER GROUP May 15, 2009

Gilad Atzmon – saxophone, clarinet
Laurence Lowe – drums
Pat Bettison – bass
Nicolas Meier – acoustic guitars, glissentar & baglama

...Last night brilliant Swiss Guitarist Nick Meier charged through Turkish influenced originals as if the house was burning down, to a warm reception from an uninitiated and unprepared crowd. The music communicated at such a level, everyone forgot they were uninitiated and unprepared, and just got into it. Excellent. Bill Bruford

Now London-based, Berklee-trained Swiss guitarist Nicolas Meier is one of the rising stars of a vibrant British jazz scene. Along with traditional guitar, Meier plays a Godin Glissentar, modelled after the North African oud, and a baglama, whose Turkish origins add to the exotic flavourings of this music.

Having settled in London, the synthesis he sought of European culture and American 'drive', he met drummer Asaf Sirkis (here recently with John Law's Trio). Asaf helped to open his ears to Middle-Eastern music and introduced him to phenomenal Israeli saxophonist Gilad Atzmon, making a belated first appearance at Bedales. Gilad returns in September with his fine new Charlie Parker project.

www.meiergroup.com

Official Website: http://www.bedales.org.uk/the-olivier-theatre.html