Awen Ensemble 22/05/25 @ The Attic, Leeds

Longtime Leeds jazz/world music promoter Lubi Jovanovic (DJ Lubi), kicks off his 2025 Leeds Jazz Festival program at The Attic (Sheaf Street) on Thursday 22nd May.

Headliners are Awen Ensemble, one of the leading lights in the UK folk-jazz scene, who are playing their first hometown show since autumn 2024. Formed in Leeds in 2020, they've built up a loyal following UK wide with many gigs across the whole country, playing everywhere from the biggest summer festivals to the smallest village halls in Wales and Scotland.  Already gaining respect from the music industry with several early self-releases, they signed with new London jazz label New Soil in 2023 (home of Theon Cross, Binker Golding, Matters Unknown, Ill Considered), and from then, things really took off. Live sessions for people like Gilles Peterson on Worldwide FM and Soweto Kinch on BBC Radio 3 (Round Midnight), singles of the week on Jazz FM, guest appearances on Channel 4 Wales and interviews in publications such as Clash.

Here's a few press and radio quotes :

"Beautiful, beautiful composition" - Jamz Supernova, BBC Radio 6 Music
"an expansive folk-jazz workout"  - CLASH Magazine
"Brilliant... a really great band" - Gilles Peterson, BBC Radio 6 Music
"The Folk-Jazz Revival is most definitely on" - UNCUT Magazine

Awen, meaning ‘poetic inspiration’ in Welsh, outlines the intention of their music to explore folkloric heritage, landscape and the human mind, inspiring audiences to reflect on and connect with these subjects. Playing both vocal led and instrumental work, the outfit take inspiration from modal tradition, spiritual jazz, and folk music found across the globe, creating compositions that are melodically focused and groove driven. Featuring spoken word, shimmering instrumentation and a Celtic mystique, Awen Ensemble bring a unique offering to the jazz table.

In April 2024, they released their long-awaited debut album "Cadair Idris" on New Soil with strong support across BBC Radio 6, Jazz FM, BBC Radio 3, Soho Radio and many more quality stations. In autumn 2024, the released the "Dùthchas" EP and took to the road again with an 8 date promo UK tour. It's great to have them playing on the opening day of Leeds Jazz Festival 2025 for the promoter who gave them their first live show at Leeds' newest jazz spot.

Awen Ensemble are :
Amy Clark - Vocals
Emyr Penry Dance - Trumpet / Flugelhorn
Saul Duff - Tenor Saxophone
Ruari Graham - Guitars
Glen Leach - Fender Rhodes
Joe Wilkes - Upright Bass
Eddie Bowes - Drums / Bodhrán

Support comes from another band from Leeds who are also fusing modern jazz with folk.

Metatrons Cube are a Leeds based folk jazz group led by bass player Sean Anglin (Afrodesia), incorporating inspiration from Cèilidh music and gatherings with the modal and free jazz traditions. The group aims to explore Irish culture and folklore through music and poetry, creating music that's focused on melodies and rhythms found in Irish traditional music to create the energy and atmosphere of sessions with a mythic undertone. The group takes inspiration from the likes of Charles Mingus and Ornette Coleman and influences from contemporary Irish musicians such as Seamus Egan.

This gig is a 150 capacity mixed seated and standing show. Doors are 7.30pm. Support 8pm. Headliners 9pm. Curfew 10.30pm. Age restriction is 14+ (must be with an adult)