One of the rising young stars of the jazz world is in Aberdeen tonight and ready to introduce a new style of jazz to north-east audiences.
London-based guitarist and composer Ant Law is making a big name for himself on the jazz scene thanks to his distinctive sound.
Ant, who lived in Edinburgh previously, said: “My parents really love music, so I grew up listening to all sorts of sounds, including The Rolling Stones, Beatles, Indie and the blues.
“My dad plays guitar and he taught me simple guitar tunes when I was young, but it wasn’t until I was studying physics at Edinburgh Uni that I discovered jazz: there’s a vibrant jazz scene in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
“What I like about jazz is that it can be a little bit cerebral and intelligent at times, and you can sometimes lose yourself completely in it.
“The type of jazz I play would fit into the modern or contemporary category, which sounds a bit pretentious, but it’s almost a new genre of contemporary jazz as it has been heavily influenced by the music I grew up with.
“Improvisation is a big part of it and there are lots of solos, interaction and spontaneity, but it isn’t free jazz.
“To be with a group playing jazz standards like Fly Me To the Moon but making it sound new and exciting is great.”
While studying at Edinburgh, Ant, 30, got the chance to spend time at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
“That was a big deal in terms of my development,” said Ant.
After moving to London, he quickly picked up work as a session musician, working with artists such as Mica Paris, Leon Ware, Koby Israelite, Camille O’Sullivan, Britain’s Got Talent star Tony Laf, X Factor winner Steve Brookstein and Eileen Hunter, members of Incognito and Level 42.
All the while, he was composing intensively, road-testing his tunes and perfecting his skills.
He also makes regular trips to New York to study with his heroes Ben Monder, Lage Lund, Adam Rogers, Gilad Hekselman, Tim Miller and, significantly, Ari Hoenig.
There influences can be heard in his music which he’s now letting others hear.
The response from jazz fans has been fantastic and he has been earmarked as one to watch.
“In Aberdeen, I’ll be joined by three of the most exciting jazz musicians around at the moment,” said Ant.
“There’s James Maddren on drums, Michael Chillingworth on sax and clarinet and Tom Farmer on bass. It’s really cool that they’ve agreed to be involved.
“The show is a good opportunity for those who think they maybe don’t like jazz to come along and be surprised at what we’re trying to do.
“We try to make it accessible and not hard to get into and you can enjoy it on a number of different levels.
“Groovy rhythms and acceptable melodies – I’m sure people can get into that.
“One or two are interpretations of standards, but my compositions are really deeply derived from the transitions of jazz standards.”
Ant Law is a guest of Jazz at the Blue Lamp at the Blue Lamp, Gallowgate, Aberdeen, tonight. For tickets contact 01224 619769.