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U.K.

U.K. were a British progressive rock supergroup originally active from 1977 until 1980. The band was composed of singer/bassist John Wetton (formerly of King Crimson, Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry's band and Uriah Heep), keyboardist/electric violinist Eddie Jobson (formerly of Curved Air, Roxy Music and Frank Zappa's band), guitarist Allan Holdsworth (formerly of Tempest, Soft Machine, The New Tony Williams Lifetime and Gong) and drummer Bill Bruford (formerly a full member of Yes and King Crimson, and also a tour drummer for Genesis), who was later replaced by drummer Terry Bozzio (formerly of Frank Zappa's band). UK reformed with John Wetton, Eddie Jobson and Terry Bozzio for a world tour in 2012.

Singer/bassist John Wetton and drummer Bill Bruford had worked together in King Crimson from 1972 until 1974, when guitarist Robert Fripp disbanded the group. In July 1976, Bruford assisted Wetton on demos for a proposed solo album by the latter (a couple of these demos were later released on Monkey Business). In September 1976, they worked on forming a band with keyboardist Rick Wakeman, who had previously worked with Bruford in Yes. The project was stopped by Wakeman's label. According to Bruford, "A&M Records were unwilling to let their 'star', Wakeman, walk off with a used, slightly soiled King Crimson rhythm section, and the idea failed."

Bruford and Wetton next asked guitarist Robert Fripp to reform King Crimson.[4] When Fripp eventually declined, Bruford and Wetton decided that each would bring in a musician of his choice to form a new band. Wetton brought in keyboardist/violinist Eddie Jobson, whom Wetton knew from his work with Roxy Music in 1976 – "stealing" him from Frank Zappa. Bruford recruited guitarist Allan Holdsworth (formerly of Soft Machine and Gong) who had played guitar on Bruford's 1978 (recorded 1977) debut solo album, Feels Good to Me.

The band's formation coincided with the introduction of the Yamaha CS-80 synthesizer, and the instrument became a key part of the band's developing sound.

U.K. released their self-titled debut album in 1978 and followed it with a supporting tour. Following two lengthy American tours (June–October 1978), Wetton and Jobson decided to fire Holdsworth over musical differences, and since Bruford had indicated to Wetton that he would favor Holdsworth in the event of a split in the band, they lined up Terry Bozzio (another one-time Frank Zappa band member) to replace Bruford as well.[7] Bruford took several instrumentals developed by him for the live U.K. repertoire ("Forever Until Sunday", "Sahara of Snow Part I", "Sahara of Snow Part II", which originally were slated for the second U.K. album), to be used instead on One of a Kind (1979), the second album of his quartet Bruford.

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What is Jazz?

Cold Fusion: The Search for the Jazz/Rock Unicorn, Part 3

Read "Cold Fusion: The Search for the Jazz/Rock Unicorn, Part 3" reviewed by Kurt Ellenberger


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 Part 3: U.K.'s First Album U.K.PrologueIn the second part of this series, I laid out my criteria for what would constitute a fusion of jazz and rock that remained true to both styles, which, in my definition, means that the resultant music would have to appeal to both rock and jazz fans, which is not an easy task. Steely Dan's Aja is a rare example of wildly successful pop music ...

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Extended Analysis

Ultimate Collectors' Edition

Read "Ultimate Collectors' Edition" reviewed by John Kelman


Well, there's certainly been a wait for this one, but for fans of what may be the last high profile progressive rock group to emerge in the 1970s, U.K.'s Ultimate Collectors' Edition proves well worth it. What began as an already sizeable 16-disc box for a group that, during its relatively brief tenure, released just two studio albums and one live recording, has become an 18-disc set with the addition of a recording of the group's final show in Nijmegen, ...

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Multiple Reviews

U.K., Danger Money and Night After Night Reissues

Read "U.K., Danger Money and Night After Night Reissues" reviewed by John Kelman


With violinist and keyboardist Eddie Jobson out of a self-imposed retirement that lasted over two decades, he's been wasting no time getting his name back out to progressive rock fans. 2008 saw the formation of UKZ, a new group following in the footsteps of late 1970s progressive rock supergroup U.K., which he formed alongside ex-King Crimson bassist and vocalist John Wetton, ex-Crimson and Yes drummer and percussionist Bill Bruford and guitar icon-in-the-making Allan Holdsworth, but with an entirely new and ...

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Video / DVD

Nat King Cole in the U.K. (1963)

Nat King Cole in the U.K. (1963)

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

Make yourself a nice cup of tea, grab a few cookies and get comfortable. You're about to be transported back 50 years to a different era, when only talented, optimistic entertainers had access to television and their charm was a welcome guest in your home. The following clip runs about 40 minutes and features An Evening With Nat King Cole, a BBC-TV show that aired in the U.K. in 1963. Cole was backed by the superb Ted Heath Orchestra and guest ...

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Recording

U.K. Bandleader Chris Barber Receives Overdue U.S. Recognition with 2-CD Anthology on Proper Records May 8

U.K. Bandleader Chris Barber Receives Overdue U.S. Recognition with 2-CD Anthology on Proper Records May 8

Source: conqueroo

Features music from Barber's incredible 60-year career including previously unreleased collaborations with Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Jools Holland, Dr. John and Rory Gallagher LONDON, U.K.—To followers of 20th century British music, Chris Barber needs no introduction: The trombonist and bassist is the pre-eminent name in British trad jazz. A fixture on the British music scene since the early 1950s, he has led a number of excellent bands and can be heard alongside countless world-class players, a ...

55

Recording

Acclaimed U.K. harpist Ruby Paul releases '70s-styled album of coffeehouse jazz and folk

Source: Lauren Rogers

Ruby Paul is a harpist with an angel's voice. Based in Yorkshire, England, Paul is a classically trained professional harpist but her latest album, Forbidden Fruit, is firmly planted in another genre. Paul's tender vocal delivery, often compared to that of the late Karen Carpenter, is perfectly suited for the album's soothing blend of coffeehouse jazz and acoustic folk. On Leon Russell's “This Masquerade," Paul doesn't attempt to cop George Benson's soulful rendition, possibly the most well-known version of the ...

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Interview

U.S. May Never See a Festival Market Like U.K. Has

U.S. May Never See a Festival Market Like U.K. Has

Source: HypeBot

This is part two of my interview with Andrew Dreskin, who is CEO of Ticketfly, an independent ticketing and social marketing platform. In this segment, Dreskin explains why the U.S. may not see a festival market like the one in Europe and how the economic recession has affected ticket sales. Hypebot: Will the U.S. live music market become more focused on festivals like those that the U.K. has? Andrew Dreskin: It's hard to say. I'm not sure we will ever ...

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Performance / Tour

Trombone Shorty Joins Jeff Beck's U.K. Tour

Trombone Shorty Joins Jeff Beck's U.K. Tour

Source: Chris M. Slawecki

Performing on Jeff Beck's U.K. tour is the latest highlight in Trombone Shorty's milestone year. His career highlights date back to sitting in with Bo Diddley at the ripe age of four, but this year, powered by his Verve Forecast debut, Backatown, is one for the record books for Troy “Trombone Shorty" Andrews. The CD entered the Contemporary Jazz Album chart at # 1, spending nine weeks there, before the new Herbie Hancock CD finally broke his hold on the ...

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Performance / Tour

Al Green and Michael McDonald to Tour U.K. in June

Al Green and Michael McDonald to Tour U.K. in June

Source: JamBase


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Performance / Tour

The Heavy: North American Tour U.K. Band Supports Sharon Jones

The Heavy: North American Tour U.K. Band Supports Sharon Jones

Source: JamBase

THE HEAVY TO RETURN TO NORTH AMERICA SUPPORTING SHARON JONES AND THE DAP KINGS / PLUS HEADLINE SHOWS AND FESTIVAL DATES

The Heavy The Heavy are coming back to North America for tour dates spanning May, June and July for their longest North American tour to date. They will be supporting Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, headlining some of their own shows, and performing at Festivals such as Sasquatch!, Jazz Fests in Victoria/Vancouver and more.

The Heavy ...

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Music Industry

U.K. Govt Steps in to Protect Abbey Road

U.K. Govt Steps in to Protect Abbey Road

Source: All About Jazz

Following speculation over the sale of Abbey Road studios, the U.K. government has listed the building at Grade II, which gives it a protected status. The 1830s villa at No. 3 Abbey Road in north London was given Grade II status based on the historic merit of the studios. The decision, based on advice from the body English Heritage, was confirmed today (Feb. 23) by culture minister Margaret Hodge. EMI, which owns Abbey Road, announced on Sunday (Feb. 21) that ...

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Music Industry

Live Nation-Ticketmaster Merger Wrinkle in U.K.

Live Nation-Ticketmaster Merger Wrinkle in U.K.

Source: All About Jazz

In a move setting up possible future concessions in the European market, an English appellate body has instructed the U.K.'s Competition Commission to mount a new review of the Live Nation-Ticketmaster merger.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal on Thursday set aside the independent review body's unconditional Dec. 22 approval of the splicing of the concert promotion giant and the top ticketing-management firm. The matter was referred back to the Competition Commission, and a new decision is expected within three months. In ...

132

Technology

Last.FM Radio to Charge Outside U.S., U.K., Germany

Last.FM Radio to Charge Outside U.S., U.K., Germany

Source: All About Jazz

Last.fm Radio will soon require a monthly subscription fee of €3.00, unless you live in Germany, Britain or the United States.

The site has long offered a paid subscription option ($3 per month in the United States) that removes advertising and adds playback flexibility. Soon, that fee will be mandatory for listeners in unsupported countries who want to access the 7 million songs on the interactive music service.

The reason, according to a source close to the situation, is that ...

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Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

U.K.

Self Produced
2018

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