We have the absolute pleasure to announce that Five-Way Split will be bringing their bold groove-driven sound to JazzLeeds.We set out to get them to play in Leeds for the first time  – this one is a concert not to be missed. Expect tight interplay, rich harmonies, modern jazz that surprises you, fearless improvisation and serious musical chemistry. The finest contemporary jazz with edge, depth and personality.

Five-Way Split is fronted by internationally renowned trumpet star Quentin Collins, Greek saxophone phenomenon Vasilis Xenopoulos and the golden touch of pianist Rob Barron. Added to this is virtuosic double bassist Matyas Hofecker and hard-swinging drummer Matt Home.

The band’s vision is to carry on the lineage of groups like Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers as well mirroring the New York contemporary-bop scene. From this inspiration, the band presents a sound that respects the tradition of the hard-bop era whilst also bringing it up to date for today’s audience. With an extensive repertoire of carefully crafted and imaginative original compositions, along with cool, swinging material by greats like Jimmy Heath, Cedar Walton and Horace Silver, Five-Way Split delivers some of the best swinging and soulful music in contemporary jazz.

The band explains: “Five-Way Split is a group born in 2020 at a time when performance opportunities were scarce, but creative energy was strong, by musicians with a shared passion for continuing the lineage of contemporary bop music.