C. Bechstein Recital Series with Les Chisnall and Richard Iles

We are excited to announce that we will be joined by Les Chisnall and Richard Iles for our first jazz performance in our C. Bechstein Centre Manchester recital series!

Richard and Les have performed together for many years in various bands, most recently in the ‘Paradise trio’ with guitarist Mike Walker. In this recital they will perform a programme of Jazz standards and original compositions.

Tickets for this recital are completely FREE and all guests will receive a complimentary glass of bubbly/non-alcoholic alternative. Tickets are limited, so if you would like to attend please call us on 0161 527 7677 or email info@bechstein.co.uk to secure your seat.

Likewise, if you are unable to make the event after booking, please call or email to let us know so we can offer your seat to another guest. For those who cannot attend in person, we will also live stream the event via our YouTube channel, a link will be provided nearer the time.

About the musicians

Richard Iles

Richard has performed with many leading jazz musicians including, Vince Mendoza, John Taylor, Anthony Braxton, Peter Erskine, Edward Vesala, Kenny Wheeler and Bill Frisell. He is currently a member of Tim Garland's Northern Underground Orchestra and The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra directed by Tommy Smith. The Miniature Brass Emporium is a nine piece brass ensemble featuring the rhythm section of the Richard Iles Group. The band features elements of funk, soul, and contemporary jazz with a warm brass backdrop. They have a versatile palette creating roaring ensembles and sensitive and impressionist moods. The music is all composed by Richard Iles; so far Richard has composed a series of pieces for saxophonist Andy Schofield (premiered at MJF - 2002) and an extended piece for guitarist Mike Walker. "It was astonishing how good the music was... Iles is always eloquent and melodic - as a trumpet player he seems deep in the debt of Miles – and his arrangements are always free of clutter" - City Life. The Richard Iles Group is a contemporary band playing original music, featuring some of the finest musicians in the North West, who echo the likes of Miles Davis and Gil Evans, using mostly funk and soul references for extensive group improvisation.

Les Chisnall

Les is firmly established as one of the most influential and highly regarded performer-teachers in the UK. He teaches at Chetham's school of music, Liverpool institute of performing arts and  RNCM. He also gives workshops for the National Youth Jazz collective as well as masterclasses on improvisation for colleges and universities around the country. As a performer, he has worked with some of the world’s finest jazz musicians including, Kenny Wheeler, John Surman, John Taylor, Art Farmer and Mike Walker.  The guardian described his duo album ‘ Another place ‘ as a "Classic of chamber jazz” 

Many of his students have gone on to have international careers, including Gwilym Simcock, Mathis Picard and Matthew Bourne. Les has co-authored a book on improvisation with Christopher Norton for Boosey & Hawkes and is currently writing his own book on jazz improvisation and an analysis of the music of Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji. We had the pleasure of hosting his extremely talented student, Harry Bowden, in our last recital!