First House was a British jazz quartet that was active between 1983 and 1990. Founded and led by saxophonist and composer Ken Stubbs, the group also consisted of Django Bates on piano (and composer), Mick Hutton on acoustic bass and Martin France on drum kit and percussion.
After receiving an Arts Council of Great Britain Jazz Bursary Award in 1983, Ken Stubbs formed this London based quartet – with the intention of recording an album on his own label. After encouragement and advice from jazz pianist John Taylor, the group were fortunate to become acquainted with saxophonist and improviser Evan Parker who in 1984 agreed to informally co-produce the recording. The project was halted as a result of Evan Parker contacting ECM Records founder and producer, Manfred Eicher.[1][2]
In 1984 First House were also the winners of the Third International Jazz Federation European Jazz Competition at Leverkusen, Germany. They were awarded the title, "European Young Jazz Artists 1984"[9][10]
Between 1984 and 1989 they performed throughout Europe, including British Council funded tours of Finland and Poland, with successful performances at the Warsaw Jazz Jamboree and the Helsinki Jazz Festival.[11][12][13]
In 1986 they were invited to tour South America by the British Council performing in Venezuela, Columbia, Peru, Ecuador and Chile, gaining highly successful reviews.[14][15] Between 1986 and 1989 they performed throughout the UK, including 2 performances at Ronnie Scott's Club and recorded several performances for the BBC Radio 3 Jazz Today and Jazz in Britain programmes.
During this same period, all of the members of First House played permanently or occasionally with British jazz ensemble, Loose Tubes. Django Bates, Ken Stubbs and Martin France all performed on the last 3 albums that Loose Tubes released – 'Dancing on Frith Street' (2010), 'Säd Afrika' (2012) and 'Arriving' (2015).
In 2004 Ken Stubbs was one of the 60 composers invited to create one bar of music for the composition, 'Premature Celebration' by Django Bates – written for Evan Parker and the London Sinfonietta, to celebrate Evan's 60th birthday. It was performed at the FuseLeeds Festival and broadcast by BBC Radio 3.[28]
jazztuition.com – Jazz education resource created by Ken Stubbs
Martin France website
short film portrait with Django Bates interview on First House ECM Records, shot at Bates' home in Bern in 2020
February 01, 2023
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First House was a British jazz quartet that was active between 1983 and 1990 Founded and led by saxophonist and composer Ken Stubbs the group also consisted of Django Bates on piano and composer Mick Hutton on acoustic bass and Martin France on drum kit and percussion First HouseBackground informationOriginLondon UKGenresmodern jazz jazz fusionYears active1983 1990LabelsECM Records Past membersKen Stubbs Django Bates Mick Hutton Martin France Contents 1 History 2 Post First House 3 First House Discography 4 References 5 External linksHistory EditAfter receiving an Arts Council of Great Britain Jazz Bursary Award in 1983 Ken Stubbs formed this London based quartet with the intention of recording an album on his own label After encouragement and advice from jazz pianist John Taylor the group were fortunate to become acquainted with saxophonist and improviser Evan Parker who in 1984 agreed to informally co produce the recording The project was halted as a result of Evan Parker contacting ECM Records founder and producer Manfred Eicher 1 2 In July 1985 First House toured Norway and played at the Molde International Jazz Festival During the visit they recorded their first album for ECM Records at Rainbow Studios in Oslo This was released in 1986 as Erendira achieving high critical praise internationally 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 In 1984 First House were also the winners of the Third International Jazz Federation European Jazz Competition at Leverkusen Germany They were awarded the title European Young Jazz Artists 1984 9 10 Between 1984 and 1989 they performed throughout Europe including British Council funded tours of Finland and Poland with successful performances at the Warsaw Jazz Jamboree and the Helsinki Jazz Festival 11 12 13 In 1986 they were invited to tour South America by the British Council performing in Venezuela Columbia Peru Ecuador and Chile gaining highly successful reviews 14 15 Between 1986 and 1989 they performed throughout the UK including 2 performances at Ronnie Scott s Club and recorded several performances for the BBC Radio 3 Jazz Today and Jazz in Britain programmes The quartet finally disbanded in 1989 after recording their second album release from ECM Records Cantilena which was released in 1990 again receiving critical acclaim internationally 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 During this same period all of the members of First House played permanently or occasionally with British jazz ensemble Loose Tubes Django Bates Ken Stubbs and Martin France all performed on the last 3 albums that Loose Tubes released Dancing on Frith Street 2010 Sad Afrika 2012 and Arriving 2015 Between 1986 and 1988 Mick Hutton and Django Bates were members of Bill Bruford s band Earthworks They also played with co Earthworks member saxophonist Iain Ballamy in The Iains with drummer Steve Arguelles Post First House EditSince its disbandment all of the members of First House have pursued individual careers within the UK and the international jazz scene Django Bates and Martin France have played in various ensembles together including Human Chain and also with groups led by Iain Ballamy and Julian Arguelles In 2004 Ken Stubbs was one of the 60 composers invited to create one bar of music for the composition Premature Celebration by Django Bates written for Evan Parker and the London Sinfonietta to celebrate Evan s 60th birthday It was performed at the FuseLeeds Festival and broadcast by BBC Radio 3 28 First House Discography EditErendira ECM 1986 Cantilena ECM 1990 1984 UnreleasedReferences Edit a b Williams Richard The Times London 26 April 1986 Brodowski Pawel Jazz Forum February 1985 The Guardian 16 May 1986 Adams Simon Jazz Journal August 1986 Feldmann Mitchell Fachblatt April 1986 Italien June 1986 Anders Johannes Zuritip 2 May 1986 Ruedi Peter Die Weltwoch 26 April 1986 Financial Times London 14 January 1985 Brodowski Pawel Introducing First House Jazz Forum February 1985 Savon Sanomat 13 August 1986 Helsingin Sanomat 8 August 1986 Nivala Kotiseutulehti 6 August 1986 Daily Journal Venezuela 31 October 1986 El Tiempo Columbia 6 November 1986 Gelly Dave The Observer London 7 January 1989 Fordham John The Wire April 1990 Drozdowski Ted The Boston Phoenix 11 May 1990 MacKinnon Angus The Sunday Correspondent 7 January 1990 Liebman David Saxophone Journal October 1990 High Fidelity February 1990 Levenson Jeff Billboard 14 April 1990 Lehnert Richard Stereophile June 1990 Zuritip 19 January 1990 Andersen John Politiken 3 January 1990 Der Taggespiegel 4 February 1990 Keyboard Magazine September 1990 Fordham John The Guardian Friday 5 March 2004External links EditDjango Bates s website Ken Stubbs website jazztuition com Jazz education resource created by Ken Stubbs Martin France website short film portrait with Django Bates interview on First House ECM Records shot at Bates home in Bern in 2020 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title First House band amp oldid 1129903623, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
