Adam Glasser's Jazz Harmonica Summit With Special Guest Matthias Heise

Adam Glasser is a fluent and impressive jazz pianist leaning towards the “township” feel of his South African background. However, in more recent years, as well as continuing and developing his piano playing, he has reinvented himself as one of Europe’s leading jazz chromatic harmonica players. And just in case you think of the harmonica as the thing that wild-eyed musicians beat into submission on blues gigs, then you must check out this gig, a virtuoso on the instrument Adam’s playing is eloquent, subtle and constantly inventive. He has released two critically acclaimed recordings, winning the “Best Modern Jazz Album” award at the 2010 South African Music Awards with his wonderful album “Free at First” while the follow-up, “Mzansi” was also short listed by SAMA in 2012 for “Best Jazz Album”. Adam has performed or recorded with a wide range of artists including Sting, Joe Zawinul, the Eurythmics, Incognito and most recently the Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera. In 2014 Adam had the honour of playing several piano dates with iconic SA musician Hugh Masekela, which included the opening of the Commonwealth Games. Tonight Adam's Special Guest is fellow Chromatic Harmonica player, the Award-winning Mathias Heise. At 24, Danish harmonica virtuoso Mathias Heise is emerging as a leading exponent of the chromatic mouth organ on the International stage. “World Chromatic Harmonica Champion” at the 2013 Hohner Festival in Trossingen, he has since released 2 acclaimed albums with his 4-piece fusion band Quadrillion who have performed internationally from the 2016 Penang Island Jazz Festival in Malaysia to a recent tour of the Czech Republic. Recently recognised as an outstanding musician in his own country, in 2016 Mathias received one of Denmark’s most prestigious arts prizes for new talent, the Crown Prince's Star Award. Mathias's latest, highly acclaimed, album ‘Decadence’ is distributed in the UK by Discovery Records. Adam and Mathias met in London earlier this year and got on so well personally and musically that a joint gig seemed to be the obvious thing to do. And so the “Summit” was born. Supported by an impressive rhythm section of Michael De Souza-guitar, Geoff Gascoyne-bass, and Tristan Maillot-drums, Adam will be playing both piano and harmonica, creating a unique frontline of two chromatic harmonica players, a line up I can pretty much guarantee will be absolutely unique! This is a wonderful opportunity to hear these two great exponents of the chromatic harmonica explore a selection of each other’s compositions as well finding common ground by improvising on well-known standards. Not to be missed.

"[Adam Glasser]... has brought a truly unique voice and idiom to the constantly evolving language of jazz... a challenge to equal for sheer scope of virtuosity, musicality and surprise" AllAboutJazz; "the virtuosity and panache associated with practitioners on more conventional instruments…a wholly impressive evening's music from a man in complete control of his considerable resources"VortexJazz; "Mathias Heise....plays the chromatic harmonica with the pinpoint articulation of a flute.....really something.....gorgeous" Guardian; "Heise...great vibe....scene-stealing....performance..... destined for bigger stages across Europe" LondonJazz News