Biography of Just East of Jazz

Since its first appearance in 1993 Just East of Jazz has gained an enviable reputation as one of the first and best groups to explore the connections between jazz and klezmer, but quickly developed a sound and approach which is all their own, and which now takes in a much wider range of influences. The new material demonstrates that Jeremy Shoham’s concept and compositional style, as expressed through the personal and idiosyncratic voice of Just East of Jazz, continues to gain in strength...
Originally the title Just East of Jazz was almost literal, with the band setting out to integrate their fascination with jazz, klezmer and Balkan musical ingredients. Now it’s a metaphor for a group which has a uniquely off-beam take on contemporary music, incorporating world, folk and classical influences in their impressionistic style. Composition and improvisation are seamlessly linked, an approach which has led to favourable comparisons with fusion pioneers Weather Report and prog rock innovators Gong.

Aiming for the fault lines between jazz and world music, Just East of Jazz conjure up a fragile marriage between distant relatives... a far cry from overblown fusion or smooth jazz ephemera.

Over the years, Jeremy’s writing & arranging has been enhanced with contributions from the other band members...but in his heavily-featured compositions you’ll hear Shoham’s subconscious at work, drawing on his suburban teenage fascination with American jazz, a weakness for sentimental melody from the old-world diaspora, and a performing career that has taken in Mecca ballrooms and barmitzvah bands.
Just East of Jazz have performed all over Britain, with gigs at over 100 venues, including such diverse locations as London’s Purcell Room, Dartington Arts, the Geffrye Museum and several tours from the tip of Cornwall to the Orkneys. A popular choice for festivals, the band has appeared at Brecon, Marlborough, Ealing, Birmingham, Canterbury and many others.

They have just released their first live album, More than four: live at the lighthouse, with special guest Gilad Atzmon. Their three previous cd’s, Feast (2002), Swerve (1999) and Just East of Jazz (1996), have drawn an ecstatic response from the UK national and jazz press, and are played regularly on JazzFM and BBC radio. All CDs are distributed by jazzcds.co.uk

Led by saxophonist and composer Jeremy Shoham, the line-up includes virtuoso Neil Angilley on piano (his numerous credits include US3, Snowboy, Down to the bone, Steve Martland, Vanessa Mae and James Galway), joining long-standing collaborators Rick Finlay (percussion) and Phil Scragg (bass)
In the interests of “putting something back”, the band has led educational workshops on both their music and on the business of music for Jazz Services, Middlesex University and other organisations.

Various funding bodies have demonstrated their belief in the project over the years, and JEOJ are grateful to the Arts Council of England, the Musicians’ Union, Jazz Services and Jazz Action for their past support. For 2004–6 the band has been awarded a place on the South East Music Schemes panel to support music in the region.