Curfew (band)

Curfew
OriginSouth England
Scotland
GenresJazz rock, jazz fusion
Years active1988–present
LabelsAfterdark
MembersSteve Marshall
Martin Lawrie
Nick Andrew
Russ Wilson
Past membersDavid Bouet
Theo Travis
Ed Jones
Dave O'Higgins
Mark Hewins
Alex Lawrie
Julian Costello
Shan Chana
Bill Morrison
Rena
Kev Dyson
Paul Francis
Mike Nichols
Jane Tuff
Websitewww.curfew.co.uk

Curfew are a jazz fusion band from England.

Early years: 1988–1995

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Curfew were formed in 1988 by Martin Lawrie and Steve Marshall as an outlet for their jazz fusion compositions. During the next year, the band augmented their lineup with Bill Morrison on drums and Julian Costello on saxophone. After Morrison's departure in 1992, Shan Chana joined the band. With vocalist Rena, the band appeared at venues such as the Jazz Café in Camden. In the studio the band produced a number of demos which would later become the basis for their debut album.[1]

New line-up and album: 1995–1997

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With the arrival of a new drummer, Russ Wilson the band recorded their first album (Somewhere In The City) with guests Dave O'Higgins and Mark Hewins. The album was released by Afterdark Records.[2]

Back to basics: 2004-present

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With only occasional session appearances from Jones and Travis (as well as Lawrie's son Alex on saxophone, flute and EWI), the band entered the studio in December 2004, before releasing Hold The Front Page in September 2005.

With Andrews preoccupied through 2006 with his solo album, the band reconvened in early 2007 for an appearance at the Watermill Jazz Club, Dorking. Shortly after this, Wilson announced his departure from the band.[3]

On 20 July 2007 Andrews stated on his personal website that Curfew will be performing at the 2007 alloutguitarFEST (formerly Kymfest). The festival took place on 16 September at the Roadmender venue in Northampton.[4][5]

Having been described in the press as "jazz rock with a Weather Report sound",[6] the band are the self-proclaimed pioneers of the electric jazz genre;[7] combining traditional instrumentation and performance with modern MIDI techniques.[8]

Personnel

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  • Martin Lawrie – keyboards
  • Nick Andrew – guitar
  • Steve Marshall – bass guitar, flute
  • Russ Wilson – drums

Discography

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  • Somewhere in the City – 1997
  • Return of the Jazz Fusioneers – 2001
  • Hold the Front Page – 2005[9]

References

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  1. ^ Curfew's band history: http://www.curfew.co.uk/about.html Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Dave O'Higgins's list of credentials: http://www.daveohiggins.com/pages/biography.htm#played Archived 2008-04-11 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Nick Andrew's personal website (news page): "News". Archived from the original on 27 August 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
  4. ^ Nick Andrew's personal website (news page): "News". Archived from the original on 27 August 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
  5. ^ allguitarFEST lineup: http://kymfest.co.uk/index.cfm/go/app.lineup#NickA Archived 2007-08-09 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Jack Massarik, Evening Standard: http://www.cdunsigned.com/cd.php?products_id=260
  7. ^ Curfew define the "Electric Jazz" genre: http://www.curfew.co.uk/electric.html Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Mark Robinson's HTFP review: http://www.alloutguitar.com/issue/2007_05_may_jun/curfew_hold_the_front_page Archived 2007-08-22 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ "Curfew | Album Discography | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 November 2018.