shoot grow bloom
NEWS
Live EP1 Launch, Nottingham Contemporary, 8pm
Sat 8th October, Free Entry
ZOO return after a three year absence with an updated line up and a trio of EPs to launch.
Following the acclaimed 'Millions' album, new drummer Jonathan Curtis has taken over from Ian Beestin, and brings a new energy and drive to the latest energetic and streamlined sound from ZOO.
The first EP1, 'Shoot', features four exciting uptempo numbers, definitely in the cross-over zone of jazz-dance-funk-fusion, with their usual sinister lyrical bent, and crammed with dynamic grooves and lots of beats.
ZOO previewed the EP1 on May 1st 2016 at Baresca in Nottingham, and now launch it along with preview tracks from EP2 ‘Grow’, at Nottingham Contemporary on Saturday October 8th, with support from DJ Daddio (Andy Cale).
http://nottinghamcontemporary.org/event/zoo
https://www.facebook.com/events/328342890838824/
EP1 Preview, Baresca, Nottingham, 10pm
Sunday 1st May, Free Entry
ZOO Preview tracks from the first of the new EPs project 'Shoot', alongside great acts Chashire & the Cat and Fat Digester.
ZOO release new EP1 'Shoot' - worldwide digital on i-tunes, spotify & amazon plus physical
Recorded Feb to April 2016 at The Old Library
ZOO release the first of the trilogy of new EPs, 'Shoot', on JetWorks records on May 1st. The EP is the first to feature new drummer Jonathan Curtis. Full track list : 'Expect the same' / 'Doubting me' / 'Opinion' / 'Hands & Feet'
New video of 'Expect the same' from EP1 'Shoot'
Collaboration with students from DMU, Leicester
Track1 from new EP 1 'Shoot', the first of three new EPs by the new line up featuring Jonathan Curtis on drums.
A jazz funk polemic about modern working and expectation.
https://youtu.be/Nfz7wFAd5vQ
ZOO record EP1 at The Old Library Studios, Feb 2016
Four new tracks recorded for first of trilogy of EPs
ZOO return to the studio with new drummer Jonathan Curtis, to record the first of three EPs 'Shoot'. This is the first time ZOO have recorded at the superb Old Library Studios, assisted by the excellent Sarah Kerry on engineering and co-production.
Four new tracks.
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MUSIC
MILLIONS Feb 2013
EP1 : SHOOT May 2016
PSYCHODRAMA July 2010
END OF THE
TELEGRAPH WIRESDec 2008
GREENHOUSE April 2007
ENDANGERED SPECIES Nov 2004
IN BETWEEN THE SILENCE Nov 2003
DISCOVERY OF LAND July 2002
SINISTRA May 2001
ZOO's 7th recording project commenced in November 2009, with three days spent at Ian's spacious house to record the backing tracks to 12 new numbers. Additional recordings and overdubs continued into December at the Greenhouse studio, including a day with our great friend GUY BARKER. Further recording and mixing continued into 2010, and the album was released on the Red Admiral label in July 2010.
ZOO's 8th recording project began in the spring of 2012 with a major recording session at Ian's studio. Further overdubs, refinement and polishing were added at the Greenhouse studio during 2012, with the album released on the Red Admiral label in February 2013.
The new ZOO EP1 'Shoot', the first of three new EPs by the new line up featuring Jonathan Curtis on drums. New EP of 4 tracks recorded at Mansfield Old Library Studios; launched at Baresca on 1st May 2016. Released on JetWorks label.
ZOO's EOTTW recording project began in November 2007 with the capturing of backing and foundation tracks for a number of new songs, and continued into 2008 with collaborations involving some of the leading Midlands jazz artists. Launched on 16th February 2009 on the Red Admiral label.
'Greenhouse', was begun in January 2006, and is a 14 track album of material written during 2005. "Greenhouse" was released on 7th May 2007, their debut release on Red Admiral Records.
Written and recorded by the trio between February and October 2004, 'Endangered Species' is the first album by the new trio line-up.
ZOO's third album of original material was recorded during the summer of 2003. ZOO recorded and arranged the material at Old Knows rehearsal studios in Nottingham with overdubs at the Greenhouse.
In April 2002, ZOO returned to Peterborough's Five Mile High Studio, and engineer Andy Hawkins, to record their second EP 'Discovery of Land'. The resulting four-track EP was launched at gigs in Nottingham in July 2002.
In May 2001 ZOO recorded their first EP, called 'Sinistra'. The five tracks reflect the breadth of the band's interests, ranging from the bossa nova of 'Extraordinary' to the stark 'The White Room' to the uplifting 'I Believe'.
VIDEOS
LIVE
October 07, 2016
Live EP1 Launch, Nottingham Contemporary, 8pm
ZOO return after a three year absence with an updated line up and a trio of EPs to launch.
Following the acclaimed 'Millions' album, new drummer Jonathan Curtis has taken over from Ian Beestin, and brings a new energy and drive to the latest energetic and streamlined sound from ZOO.
The first EP1, 'Shoot', features four exciting uptempo numbers, definitely in the cross-over zone of jazz-dance-funk-fusion, with their usual sinister lyrical bent, and crammed with dynamic grooves and lots of beats.
ZOO previewed the EP1 on May 1st 2016 at Baresca in Nottingham, and now launch it along with preview tracks from EP2 ‘Grow’, at Nottingham Contemporary on Saturday October 8th, with support from DJ Daddio (Andy Cale).
http://nottinghamcontemporary.org/event/zoo
https://www.facebook.com/events/328342890838824/
April 30, 2016
EP1 Preview, Baresca, Nottingham, 10pm
ZOO Preview tracks from the first of the new EPs projetc 'Shoot', alongside great acts Chashire & the Cat and Fat Digester.
February 08, 2013
'Millions' album launch, Matt & Phred's Jazz Club, Manchester, 9.30pm
ZOO performed 3 sets of material, mixing tracks from the new album 'Millions', along with live favourites from the acclaimed 'Psychodrama' and 'End of the telegraph wires' albums, with a few surprises, to a rapturous reception!
May 28, 2011
Stamford Feast, 6.30pm
ZOO close this food & music festival with 2 x 50 min sets
May 26, 2011
Minus 1, Escucha, Nottingham, 9.30pm
Minus One with a cool late-night vibe at the groovy Minus One plus guest DJ Andy Cale.
May 20, 2011
Matt & Phred's Jazz Club, Manchester, 9.00pm
ZOO make their debut appearance at the acclaimed Matt & Phred's playing 3 x 45min sets.
9pm; £5 entry
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BIO
2016 ZOO EPs PROJECT
ZOO new EP1 : ‘Shoot’ – released May 2016 /
Live launch Sat Oct 8th Nottingham Contemporary, 8pm
ZOO return after a three year absence with an updated line up and a trio of EPs to launch.
The new EPs are ZOO’s first release on JETWorks Records. Their previous four albums were all on Red Admiral Records, but following the sad passing label boss Chris Ashman, the band have decided to go forward on their own label, originally established by companion ensemble JET Collective. The new EPs and all previous albums are available on i-tunes, amazon and all worldwide digital platforms.
Following the acclaimed 'Millions' album, new drummer Jonathan Curtis has taken over from Ian Beestin,
and brings a new energy and drive to the latest energetic and streamlined sound from ZOO. With a fresh batch of new material, which principle writers Reg, Karen & Paul have been creating over the last year, the band have decided to release them as 3 x 4 track EPs, 'Shoot', 'Grow' & ' Bloom', rather than hold on for the full album all at once.
ZOO previewed the EP1 on May 1st 2016 at Baresca in Nottingham, and now launch it along with preview tracks from EP2 ‘Grow’, at Nottingham Contemporary on Saturday October 8th, with support from DJ Daddio (Andy Cale).
EP 2 will be recorded in Dec 2016, the set being completed with EP3 in spring 2017.
The current line-up features :
Paul Biggins on piano, bass & spanish guitar, electronics & live sound
Karen Clegg on piano, keyboards, melodica, flute & lead vocals
Reg Clegg on lead & nylon guitar, upright bass, electric bass, backing vox, electronics & production
Jonathan Curtis on drums/percussion
John Sanderson on Tenor & Soprano Saxes, flute and bass clarinet.
The first EP1, 'Shoot', features four exciting uptempo numbers, definitely in the cross-over zone of jazz-dance-funk-fusion, with their usual sinister lyrical bent, and crammed with dynamic grooves and lots of beats.
2013 - ZOO ALBUM : MILLIONS’
ZOO’s album ‘MILLIONS’ (Feb 2013) saw them build on the success of ‘PSYCHODRAMA’ with 12 upbeat original tracks melding jazz, prog & funk together to create their most ambitious effort yet, full of exciting grooves, sublime melodies and expansive ideas.
Tracks include the energetic opener ‘Day for night’, the minimalist influenced ‘City’, the samba ‘Memory Game,’ the three diverse movements of ‘Sweeter than Nocturnes’, the hard funk of ‘We don’t need to know’ and the swinging ‘Everything & nothing’, first premiered at Matt & Phred’s in 2011.
2010 - ZOO ALBUM : 'PSYCHODRAMA' with special guest GUY BARKER
'PSYCHODRAMA', with special guest GUY BARKER collaborating on 8 of the 12 tracks, was released to great acclaim in July 2010, following their successful collaboration and performance with Guy in August 2009 at Bonington Theatre, Nottingham. The follow up to the acclaimed 'End of the telegraph wires', includes much of what had been developed and performed live throughout 2009/10, and showcases an expansive mix of original contemporary instrumental and vocal tracks. During 2009, ZOO also via EMJAZZ collaborated with trumpeter Nick Smart, performing at the Sleaford Live festival, and followed with appearances at the Lichfield Jazz & Blues Festival and the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, and Balcony TV. ZOO have already showcased the album at the Jazzx3 events at the Y Theatre, Leicester, alongside Martin Taylor, IDST, Beats & Pieces and Stuart McCallum.
2008 - ZOO ALBUM : ‘END OF THE TELEGRAPH WIRES’
2008 saw the release ‘End of the Telegraph Wires’ - Paul Biggins, Karen Clegg and Reg Clegg with the expanded line-up of John Sanderson and Ian Beestin - stretched out their nu-century jazz-fusion sound, along with regular collaborators David Ives, Ben Lee and Michael Aggio. The album spawned the hugely successful videos for ‘Big Red Bus’ and ‘Leave it all behind’.
2007 - ZOO ALBUM : ‘GREENHOUSE’ & Best Jazz Artist Award
2007 was a breakthrough year for the East Midlands based outfit. The band picked up Best Jazz Artist at The Glasswerk New Music Awards in London, beating off fierce competition to pick up the award. 2007 also saw them sign to Red Admiral Records and release their first studio album on the label,‘Greenhouse’, which was released to widespread acclaim and airplay on BBC6 for the single (and video) ‘Dirty’.
BACKSTORY
A distinctive mix of Jazz-fusion and songwriting with electronic and acoustic instruments. ZOO create a unique blend of warm, absorbing and emotive, beautifully intimate and atmospheric music, with rich harmonies and instrumentation. Formed in 2000, ZOO have been praised for their distinctive vocal and instrumental approach and laid-back style, and their well crafted music has earned them a national reputation, being compared to Miles Davis, St Germain, Al Di Meola, Jamiroquai, Pat Metheny, Radiohead, Lalo Schifrin, Isley Brothers, Massive Attack, Weather Report, Frank Zappa, Pentangle and Cleo Laine.
ZOO have collaborated with Guy Barker and Nick Smart, and played Jazz clubs across the country, including Manchester (Matt & Phreds), Birmingham (Yardbird) and London (Spice), as well as the Lichfield Jazz Festival, Cheltenham JF, Sleaford Live, Stamford (twice) and Kilsyth. ZOO have played alongside artists such as Beats & Pieces, Stuart McCallum, Martin Taylor at venues such as the Y Theatre in Leicester, Bonington Theatre, Nottingham and Nottingham Contemporary.
LINKS
www.zoo-music.co.uk www.youtube.com/user/ZOOmusicUK/videos
https://soundcloud.com/zoo-music-1 www.jazzcds.co.uk/artist_id_978
twitter @regclegg1
ALBUM SITES
https://sites.google.com/site/millionsbyzoo/
https://sites.google.com/site/psychodramazoo/
http://www.endofthetelegraphwires.co.uk/
http://www.zoo-music.co.uk/greenhouse/
http://www.endangered-species.org.uk/
http://www.inbetweenthesilence.co.uk/
http://www.discoveryofland.co.uk/
PIX
ZOO LIVE PERFORMANCE GALLERYfeaturing
Bonington Theatre, Nottingham (with Guy Barker)
Matt & Phred's Jazz Club, Manchester
Yardbird Jazz Club, Birmingham
The Y Theatre, Leicester
Lichfield Jazz Festival
Nottingham Contemporary
Balcony TV, Camden Lock, London
Best Jazz Artist at the Glasswerk New Music Awards, London
BBC WM Radio session
DMU Video Shoot
PAUL BIGGINS
Piano, Bass, Spanish Guitar, Mandolin, Live Sound
KAREN CLEGG
Vocals, Piano, Synth, Melodica, Flute, Recorder, Talkbox
JONATHAN CURTIS
Drums, Percussion
REG CLEGG
Electric & Nylon Guitars, Bass, Vocals, Production
JOHN SANDERSON
Tenor, Soprano, Alto & Baritone Saxes, Flute, Bass Clarinet
REVIEWS
Fabulous, fantastic and distinctive’ – BBC WM
‘ZOO…a band that could very well set the new standard for the Jazz Fusion genre’ – Que98.2 Radio
'MILLIONS'
“Stunning pieces that scream seedy jazz club: swinging-hip grooves, rich harmonies and Barker’s trumpet growling over the top…exceptional musical capabilities and moments of unified sleaze” - ZOO with Guy Barker at Bonington (Left Lion Review)
‘The album builds a picture in the listener's mind of a sleazy jazz club, containing excellent trumpet and maybe symbolising a change in the music zeitgeist of a resurgence in jazz as mainstream’ – 4 STARS, Joshua Taylor, Burton Mail
"An album with fire like qualities, warm and welcoming only to suddenly spring into life with blistering solos and then threaten to burn the house down with some real sharp interplays. It's an accessible album, full of contrasts and tangents that allow you to explore the songs and pick up on the finer points of some silkily smooth arrangements without leaving you feeling like you've over indulged." FATEA DEC ‘10
"ZOO remain admirably ambitious and show clear signs of development and Barker is simply splendid as usual. 'Psychodrama' is lovingly crafted with some excellent playing and singing from all involved - an adventurous offering with much worthy of praise, not least the contribution of guest trumpeter Guy Barker." The Jazz Mann, Dec '10
'PSYCHODRAMA'
'ZOO is currently the name on everyone’s lips and with ‘End of the Telegraph Wires’ they may have just created their career-defining album. We can finally add ZOO to the long list of true jazz greats’– MyBrum TV
‘14 cuts of top drawer jazz are sure to shake up the competition' - The Musician
'END OF THE TELEGRAPH WIRES'
‘a highly evocative and entertaining album that draws heavily on jazz and mixes it into intimate and rich harmonies...Greenhouse reaches out and enchants' - Fatea Records Magazine
‘ZOO's music has a great portability and accessibility, whilst still belonging to a contemporary framework’– Arts Council, England
'GREENHOUSE'
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