A Little Bite Music 2016

Free Lunchtime Concerts at The Bridgewater Hall in 2016 Escape from the bustle of the city and join us for a series of free, relaxed and informal concerts. Enjoy a bite to eat in the Stalls CafĂŠ Bar or simply sit back and enjoy the music.

With a mix of jazz, world, folk, classical and more, there's something for everyone.

A Little Bite Music is a series of free lunchtime concerts, running from April to September 2016.

Join us for all or part of each performance, whether to enjoy a leisurely lunch in the Stalls Café Bar or to snatch a bite of culture in a short break from the office. Most concerts take place in the relaxed atmosphere of the Stalls Foyer from 12.30—1.30pm, apart from the Refugee Week Event on 24 June which starts at 1pm and is a free, ticketed event in the Barbirolli Room.

Josephine

Josephine Friday 29 April 12.30pm Manchester singer/songwriter Josephine Oniyama is returning to A Little Bite Music after completing two film score commissions during 2014—16. Now, having finished writing new material for her second album, she will be performing new songs both from her film collections and some yet to be released work.

Lady Maisery Friday 13 May 12.30pm With their unique approach to harmony singing and intelligent arrangements of traditional repertoire and original compositions, Lady Maisery skillfully explore of the power, beauty and vitality of folk song. These accomplished instrumentalists expertly create a rich tapestry of fiddle, banjo, harp, concertina, accordion and foot percussion. Lady Maisery’s hotly anticipated third album is to be released in summer 2016.

European Union Quintet Songs of the Sea and Land Friday 20 May 12.30pm Manchester based jazz quartet, European Union Quartet (jazzquartet.eu) and Dutch vocalist Anne Chris (annechris.com) combine forces to perform a thrilling new set of refined jazz and pop tunes. With accessible melodies and complicated harmonies, the music and lyrics are inspired by the North-West and the Netherlands, and their nearness to the sea.

Matt Owens

Iain Dixon and Les Chisnall Duo Friday 6 May 12.30pm Two artists at the height of their game, Iain and Les play pieces by composers including Olivier Messian, Gerald Finzi and William Walton, British jazz artists John Taylor, Kenny Wheeler and Mike Walker, plus their own original compositions and music made famous by northern composers, arrangers and singers, such as Kathleen Ferrier and Gracie Fields.

Matt Owens: The Aviators’ Ball Friday 27 May 12.30pm Bassist Matt Owens performs his debut album The Aviators’ Ball incorporating elements of jazz, world, classical and folk music. Featuring Neil Yates — trumpet, John Ellis — piano, Sam Draper — drums, Sophie Hastings — tuned percussion and The Souza Wind Quintet. Originally commissioned by the Manchester Jazz Festival, as part of MJF Originals.

Sarah Yaseen

Box Tale Soup

Sarah Yaseen Friday 3 June 12.30pm Sarah is a Manchester based mother, singer/ songwriter and peacemaker. With a soulful voice and accompanied by guitar or darabouka, Sarah’s raw a cappella/cantata style takes the audience into her world of love, faith and personal struggle. Trained by her late father, Sufi Muhammed Yasin, Sarah’s musical gift has led her to performing on a national and international level.

Breathe

Breathe Friday 17 June 12.30pm Breathe is a new flute quartet that plans to blow your hat off. Four classically trained, top flight professional musicians with new and original arrangements that they hope will make you go ooh. Performing music from Beach Boys to Bolling, Madonna to Mancini, Jamiroquai to Jackson Five; it’s a bit bonkers, but it’s good, and that’s because it’s different.

Refugee Week Event Box Tale Soup & Stone Flowers Friday 24 June 1.00pm Free ticketed event in Barbirolli Room Music Action International present a brand new, original piece of theatre created by the award winning Box Tale Soup and refugee music collective Stone Flowers. An allegorical tale set in a fictional world, the performance features puppetry and a vivid and atmospheric score composed by Stone Flowers.

Inspired by Persian, Tamil and West African folklore, fairytale and traditional stories the new work reflects Stone Flowers’ diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences.

For more information visit www.musicaction.org.

Stone Flowers is supported by Music Action International & Freedom from Torture.

For ages 12 and over.

Join us after the performance for a Q&A session.

Advance booking strongly advised Box Office : 0161 907 9000 www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk

The Hut People

Slidin’ About

Friday 1 July 12.30pm The Hut People are one of the most entertaining acts on the folk scene. In their surprisingly engaging and often hilarious show, they perform a truly unique highoctane blend of folk music from around the world — perfectly formed & embellished with a foot stomping accordion and mind-boggling array of exotic percussion (with some Quebecois foot percussion & dancing thrown in for good measure too!).

Friday 9 September 12.30pm The Slidin’ About Trombone Quartet are four experienced, professional trombonists who met and studied at the Royal Northern College of Music.

Formed in 2010, they have become a valuable asset to the British music scene with new compositions, arrangements and highly regarded educational sessions. Slidin’ About performs entertaining and accessible programmes for audiences of all ages, which include pieces composed and arranged by members of the group.

Tom & Jonathan Scott

A Beautiful Thing

Scott Brothers Duo Jonathan & Tom Scott piano duet Friday 8 July 12.30pm Scott Brothers Duo (Jonathan & Tom Scott) return to A Little Bite Music for an unmissable concert of thrilling music for four hands at one piano, including original duets as well as their own virtuosic transcriptions of classical orchestral favourites!

Papa Sam Alafia Friday 2 September 12.30pm Sam Maitland, aka Papa Sam Alafia, moved to the UK in the late 1980s from Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa and is now based in Manchester. Sam has recorded and performed with many African and international artists and has toured the United States and Japan with the African band Rokoto. Now, as a solo artist, Sam is focusing on introducing the traditional palm wine music of his homeland to UK audiences; both through well-known songs and his own new compositions.

Friday 16 September 12.30pm A Beautiful Thing is a Manchester-based close harmony vocal trio made up of Alyss McBirney, Alice Wrigley and Louise Johnston. They are also successful individual artists and have performed at festivals around the UK including Manchester Jazz Festival and Kendal Calling. A Beautiful Thing likes to share their emotional connection to the music with the audience.

Their down to earth approach creates a warm atmosphere as they explore the spirit of the folk, roots, jazz, soul and pop music that has influenced them.

Apart from the event on Friday 24 June, no ticket is required. We recommend arriving in good time to avoid disappointment.

For more info: 0161 907 9000 www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk JustTextGiving Text ‘BWFA11 £5’ to 70070 or insert your preferred donation value The Bridgewater Hall Community Education Trust Registered Charity 1058495 Other events in the building — such as tours, lunch groups and conferences — help to maintain our concert programme and Bridgewater for All activity throughout the year.

Occasionally a small amount of sound transfer will arise as part of a busy, working building.