Bebop, jazz and more

Time to jazz things up and Sarah’s Jazz Club has several groovy nights of music coming up this month. Bringing that ‘smoky jazz bar’ vibe to Nicosia – minus the indoor smoking – two live music events are on this weekend and even more the following week.

On Friday, the new ensemble Bebop-Aloola will bring the jumping sounds of bebop to the jazz bar. Including Sarah herself on vocals, the ensemble is a get-together of some of the island’s most well-known jazz musicians: Dimitris Miaris on piano, Marios Spyrou on drums and Costas Challoumas on bass. Starting at 9.30pm, Friday’s performance will be all about this lively jazz style.

Bebop developed in the early 1940s and is most closely linked with Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker and Thelonius Monk. While it is mostly a fast-paced, euphoric experience, Bebop is also associated with soul-moving ballads and that’s what the Bepop-Aloola ensemble hopes to bring.

Then on Saturday, the Marios Toumbas Trio will play pure jazz sounds. Described as one of the best jazz pianists on the island, Toumbas returns to Sarah’s Jazz Club with Michael Messios on bass and Elias Ioannou on trumpet. Toumbas has performed at prestigious concerts in many countries abroad and all round Cyprus. “Recognised for his influential and skilful playing,” say Saturday’s organisers, “audiences love Marios Toumbas for the swing and improvisation in his solos and sensitive arranging of jazz standards.”

Next week, the Nicosia jazz bar will host US trumpet player John Marshall who is coming to Cyprus to perform for the very first time. Local band Workin’ Trio will accompany him as he tours Cyprus and at Sarah’s Jazz Club, they will perform twice – on October 28 and 29.

Closing off the month at the Jazz Club is a performance by the Ioanna Troullidou Trio on October 30. With Ioanna on vocals, Toumbas on piano and Irenaeos Koullouras on double bass, the band will perform various songs from the different decades of jazz music. From jazz standards to bebop jazz composition as well as some original songs composed by Ioanna. The music will again begin at 9.30pm for another evening of quality jazz before November’s events take over.

Bebop-Aloola

New ensemble performs the jumping sounds of bepop. October 22. Sarah’s Jazz Club, Nicosia. Doors open 8.30pm, live music at 9.30pm. €10. Tel: 95-147711

Marios Toumbas Trio

Live jazz with local trio. October 23. Sarah’s Jazz Club, Nicosia. Doors open 8.30pm, live music at 9.30pm. €10. Tel: 95-147711

John Marshall in Cyprus

Legendary U.S. trumpet players plays live, accompanied by the Workin’ Trio. October 28 and 29. Sarah’s Jazz Club, Nicosia. 9pm. Presale €20 / Door €25. Tel: 95-147711, 99-498642

Ioanna Troullidou Trio

Trio performs jazz standards, bebop jazz compositions and more. October 30. Sarah’s Jazz Club, Nicosia. Doors open 8.30pm, live music at 9.30pm. €10. Tel: 95-147711