Delivering big band traditions through a 21st century filter, Beats and Pieces big band - 14 piece ensemble, fired the stage with high voltage. Originally based in Manchester under the lead of Ben Cottrell both arranger and producer of most of the charts, the band melted genres with ease with solo parts perfectly administered (trumpeter Nick Walters, guitarist Anton Hunter and tenor saxophonist Ben Watte).

Deep warm tones of double bassist Harrison Wood underpinned softly layered harmonies in ‘Yafw’ while pianist Patrick Hurley built a momentum with a racing riff. Playing with rock-based demeanour to tunes such as Queen Spark and Jazzwalk (a composition inspired by the historical street of Burghausen, at which the band won the 2011 European Young Artists' jazz award) the ensemble mixed explosive saxophone parts augmented through pinched trumpet details in tight rhythmic locks.

‘Broken’ featured live electronic sampling by Cottrell edging their sound further into contemporary territory, a fine teaser for what’s to come from a promising band.

– Samrit Teckle