Wild Flower Quintet celebrates the 60th anniversary of Wayne Shorter’s classic recordings for Blue Note Records with an all-star line-up. Led by saxophonist Matt Anderson, the group plays original music inspired by Shorter’s sound and approach, alongside new arrangements of both his classic and lesser-known compositions. Their 2015 album Wild Flower was described by Selwyn Harris in Jazzwise as "Their own unique stamp on Shorter's very personal repertoire... of a quality that resonates with its inspirational source... Enjoyably un-pretentious."
Born in the North Yorkshire Moors, the son of a music teacher, saxophonist and Dankworth Prize-winning composer Matt Anderson has lived in London since 2015. Since his debut with Wild Flower, he has made three further albums with the Matt Anderson Quartet, with the latest Live at Leeds Jazz Festival released in 2024 to glowing reviews, including four stars in Jazzwise, and airplay on BBC Radio 3. Extensive touring with this group has also seen them perform in venues like Jamboree, Barcelona and Bimhuis, Amsterdam.
Becoming part of the fertile jazz scene in the capital, Anderson has performed with artists/bands such as the Gareth Lockrane Big Band, Jamie Doe’s The Magic Lantern, Will Vinson and Ivo Neame. He has also toured in New Zealand, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. In 2023, he was made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music for contributions to the music industry, and he is proud to be a D’Addario artist.
With Matt Anderson – Tenor Saxophone, Quentin Collins - Trumpet, Sam Watts – Piano , Sam Gardner – Drums , and Marianne WIndham guesting on bass
"This is sophisticated stuff, with a proper handle on Shorter's post-bop genius... Everyone plays superbly and the whole set is wholly recommended." Jazz Journal *****
“a well-integrated, swinging and supremely confident ensemble… [with] a soulful depth to his musicality that underpins the academic attention to detail” Jazzwise ****
Pre gig menu from Mandira’s Kitchen (please see the Event Info tab for the menu)
Please click the tabs for more information
EVENT INFO
The performance is upstairs in Guildford Pavilion, The Sports Ground, Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP
Please note there are no physical tickets, just give your name on the door when you arrive. There’ll be seating reserved for you.
Doors open and supper available from 7pm, performance 8pm to about 10:15pm (with interval). Licensed bar. Seating is cabaret style and there is a lift for disabled access.
Pre-gig Menu from Mandira’s Kitchen: (please select chicken or vegetarian ):
Vegetable samosas served with tamarind chutney
Murgh Makhani (Tender pieces of chicken simmered in a velvety tomato and butter sauce, delicately spiced for a smooth, indulgent finish)
Or Alu Mattar (Potatoes and green peas cooked in a delicately spiced tomato sauce)
Vegetable Pulao (Basmati with a mix fresh vegetables and whole spices)
TICKETS
Full Price £20 /Guildford Jazz Members £18
Students £7 / Student Members £5
Meals £15.50
WHO'S PLAYING?
Matt Anderson – Tenor Saxophone, Quentin Collins - Trumpet, Sam Watts – Piano , Sam Gardner – Drums , and Marianne WIndham guesting on bass
DIRECTIONS
The performance is upstairs in the Pavilion building at the Guildford County Cricket Club, The Sports Ground, Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP
For sat navs please check the postcode takes you to Wharf Road. There’s a car park alongside, entry from Wharf Road. If you’re approaching from Guildford town centre, Wharf Road is on the left just before the Sports Ground. If you’re approaching from the A3/Ladymead there’s no right turn into Wharf Road, but continue to the next roundabout to double back.
The car park next to the Pavilion holds about 40 cars (to enable emergency access, cars can only park in the marked bays). Unless it’s very wet, the overflow car park at the far end of the Cricket ground will be open.
To access the overflow car park, turn left as you come out of Wharf Road and carry on along Woodbridge Road towards the railway bridge, and the entrance to the ground is just before the end of the green fence that runs along the perimeter of the ground, next to the Woodbridge Café.
You might prefer to use one of the larger public car parks which are just a few minutes walk away: the open air Mary Road Car Park (GU1 4QU) or multi-storey Bedford Road Car Park (GU1 4SJ)
SEATING
Seating is either in front row settees/armchairs, central round tables, or rear high chairs/tables. Seats will be reserved for you when you book. If you’re a Guildford Jazz member, please let us know if you have a seating preference in on the booking form. Notes on the layout:
Front row: Seats 1 to 5 are sofas or armchairs
Middle tables: Tables 6 to 23 and 32 are small tables , each seating 4 (for bookings of 1 or 2 seats, we’ll seat you at a table with others, please let us know if you have friends coming who you’d like to sit with!).
Rear tables: Tables 24 to 29 are tall tables suitable for 2 people, with high stools.
Groups: Table 31 and 32 are suitable for larger group of 6 or more
High stools : 30 and 34 are single high stools (no table) , suitable for 1 to 3 people