Dum Dá were formed after they met at the second ever MIX-UP. The group consists of vocalist Riognach Connolly, guitarist Ellis Davies (Honeyfeet), bassist Nick Blacka (The Magic Hat Ensemble) and drummer Rob Turner (The Magic Hat Ensemble, Gogo Penguin).
Drawing on various different styles and influences the band merge folk, blues, jazz, hip hop and funk with a heavy dose of improvisation thrown in for good measure.
VOODOO BOULEVARD
A newly formed trio fronted by Grenville Harrop (Cherry Ghost, Caulbearers). Expect a riff driven, modern, American influenced mix of blues and original material. Come and see for yourself.
CHRIS ILLINGWORTH & GUESTS
Those of you who were lucky enough to be at last November's MIX-UP will have seen Chris performing with Gogo Penguin, a modern jazz trio taking inspiration from Aphex Twin, Esbjorn Svensson and Sigor Ros, amongst others. The trio have recently signed to ace independant Manchester jazz label Gondwana Records.
A graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, Chris regularly performs solo classical piano recitals. For April's MIX-UP he will be performing both solo and with some very special guests.
'Component II - The City at Dusk' written by Ben Gaunt.
A solo piano composition written about life in the city. This piece has been inspired by William Baines, a Yorkshire composer born in 1899, who died aged 23. Baines wrote over 150 solo piano works.
'Piano Phase' by Steve Reich, written in 1967.
A piece for two pianos. Reich's phasing works generally have two identical lines of music, which begin by playing synchronously, but slowly become out of phase with one another when one of them slightly speeds up. Reich had previously applied this technique only to sounds recorded on magnetic tape, but experimenting in his studio, he found it was possible for humans to replicate the effect.
'Opposite Keyboards' by Avner Hanani, written in 2005.
Avner is a composer who studied at the RNCM in Manchester. His compositions are often heavily inspired by Steve Reich's music. This particular piece is for two pianos and synth. The two pianos play melodies which are 'opposite rhythmically' to each other (both play only crotchets and quavers always opposite to each other), whilst the synth adds harmony inbetween.
ABOUT MIX-UP:
Mix-Up is a monthly night hosted by The Magic Hat Ensemble, which as the name suggests features three musical acts across different styles and forms.
Held on the first Thursday of the month at The Klondyke Club in Levenshulme (1 Burnage Range, third road on the left from Levenshulme Station off Albert Road, walking towards Burnage – call 0161 224 4122) the night promises to offer three quality bands, all for a measly fiver.
Mix-Up is a cracking night of live music featuring the cream of Manchester’s music scene. We will soon be confirming further acts for future nights.
You can keep up to date with who’s playing and when on our websitehttp://www.mixupmcr.com/
Please, please show your support for the night by joining our Mix-Up Facebook group. http://www.facebook.com/
It will be great to see some familiar faces and hopefully some unfamiliar ones on the night!
