"We Groove, You Move"is a fantastic band comprised of some of the brightest students from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Jazz Course. With a shared passion for classic jazz and an unwavering commitment to musical excellence, this ensemble promises to bring a visceral, swinging approach to the Bristol.

Led by seasoned, professional bassist and course teacher Arnie Somogyi, and featuring the exceptional talents of the students, the quintet combines technical prowess with a deep understanding of the nuances of jazz; it's a celebration of the next generation of jazz musicians who are pushing the boundaries of tradition while paying homage to the masters who paved the way.

Arnie Somogyi is one of the UK's most in-demand bass players and has played on over 60 albums, including five with his own projects as a leader.
He has recorded, performed and toured with many of the world's leading jazz musicians including Bobby Hutcherson, Eddie Henderson, Steve Grossman, Seamus Blake, Arturo Sandoval, Jorge Rossy, James Moody, Joey Calderazzo, Art Farmer, Chris Botti and The Mingus Big Band as well as international stars Tom Jones, Charlie Watts, Amy Winehouse, Richard Ashcroft & Omar.

Arnie graduated from Bristol University in 1987 with a BA (Honours) in English.

Already working on the Bristol music scene he was awarded a scholarship to enter the Postgraduate Diploma Course at The Guildhall School of Music, where he studied bass under Jeff Clyne. After completing his PGDip year at the Guildhall he worked extensively on the UK jazz scene with some of the UK's leading jazz musicians including Stan Tracey, Alan Skidmore, Dave O'Higgins, Ian Ballamy, Claire Martin, Clark Tracey & Peter King in the UK; and further afield in continental Europe and the Far East.

In 2000 he put together his first project as a leader - Cold Cherry Soup which featured Hungarian musicians Tony Lakatos (sax) and Zsolt Bende (guitar) alongside London-based musicians. In May 2003 he created and hosted the highly successful Hungary Jazz Festival in Soho, incorporating top jazz musicians from both the UK and Hungary.
In 2004 he formed IMPROVOKATION - a ten-piece Anglo-Hungarian band combining leading improvisers from both folk and jazz worlds. Launched at the Cheltenham International Festival the band headlined at Ronnie Scott's for a week and then toured the regions to enthusiastic audiences.

In 2006 he put together a new quartet, Ambulance, releasing two albums; featuring US trumpet legend Eddie Henderson, the bands recordings showcased an entirely original set of new material developed during the first-ever jazz-residency at the internationally renowned music centre Snape Maltings in Aldeburgh, Suffolk. It attractes significant critical acclaim, including **** reviews in The Guardian, The Times, BBC Music Magazine, Jazzwise and The Scotsman,

In 2012 he was commissioned by the National Trust to create a ground-breaking project combining the written word, composed and improvised music and ambient sound. Untrue Island was inspired by Orford Ness Nature Reserve, a desolate shingle spit and former MOD research establishment on the Suffolk Coast. It was produced in collaboration with award-winning writer Robert Macfarlane, performed live on the Ness and included in the 2012 Cultural Olympiad. 2012 also saw him form Scenes in the City and release the album "The Man Who Never Sleeps", a tribute to the great American bassist Charles Mingus. The group performs reinterpretations of Mingus compositions and has worked consistently in the UK.

Since 1999 Arnie has been bass tutor at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where his responsibilities have included one-to-one instrumental tuition, ensemble coaching - from small group to big band - delivering the jazz history module and assessing and moderating major projects. He has also taught and led ensembles at London Conservatoires - The Royal Academy, Trinity College & The Guildhall School of Music. He is a longstanding member of the Global Music Foundation, with whom he has taught on seminars in the UK, Italy, Spain and Germany.

The students of the Conservatoire are engaged in a four year Jazz course that encompasses not only the development of their own musicianship but the understanding of Jazz theory and its history. This quintet is part of the course and comprises students in their 2nd, 3rd & 4th years. The tutors told me they tell the yougsters they are actually on a five year course, because they are being prepared for their first year in the professional world as well.

Obviously most of these guys don't have much in the way of biographies for me to write about, yet it was clear hearing this grouping at the JPN get together in early November, hosted by Birmingham University, that the talent the Conservatoire is producing is very much the future of UK Jazz.

Young pianist Tom Ward was the most featured musician in the band when I heard them and he fronted the quintet brilliantly.

He already posses an accomplished technique, many of the tunes were based on the music of the mighty Jazz great Erroll Garner and he clearly understands that music; as the 'Stride' piano style of Garner was replicated extremely well.
His piano sound resonated the lovely light bounce the quintet were able to create, making for an engaging lunchtime set of music.

Later in the day I witnessed Tom in a more contemporary setting with different students and he was seemingly equally at home in that style as well. Me thinks he maybe one to keep an eye on.....!

Joe Hiles is the bands's guitarist and again was seen in different settings throughout the evening. His chordology seemed impressive and he is obviously still learning the improvisational soloing qualities that will come with more experience, yet he sparkled on many of the numbers.

The rest of the rhythm section along with tutor Arnie is Josh Rose on the drums and (I think) the youngest player KeFan Hu on percussion.

Tonights gig will give a chance to do two things, check out the new Lantern Hall at the Bristol Beacon and to witness these young musicians of the future!