Directors Choice – Electro Jazz Fusion with Chube – Sat 28th Sept

Doors 7.30pm. Start 8.15pm. Adv ticket £15. OTD ticket £19.

CICCIC presents some of the best musicians in the UK and on Sat 28th Sept we have the young but very talented Ben Creighton Griffiths and his band, and we have designated this live music event as ‘directors choice’ due to the quality of the musicianship, performance and creativity.

About This Music Event

Chube is a young Fusion band based in Cardiff led by Ben Creighton Griffiths (Electric Harp/Keys) with Ashley John Long (Basses) and Jon Bradford-Jones (Drums). They draw their inspiration from a wide variety of artists and genres and write electro acoustic music that pushes the boundaries of their instruments. The harp features prominently in performances, and Ben uses effects processors to take the harp from its regular, classical sound, to a rock guitar through distortion, an ambient synth through delays and phasers, and much more. Combined with innovative percussion and groovy bass riffs it all goes to creating a totally unique blend of Jazz Fusion.

Band Members –
Harp/Keys – Ben Creighton Griffiths
Basses – Ashley John Long
Drums – John Bradford-Jones

“I love it when young artists push the limits and blend electronica with other genres of music and when I heard the song below I knew we had to have Chube at CICCIC. Their catalogue of music is inspiring and can’t wait to see them live at CICCIC. So, if you want a creative music experience this is a must see event” – Andrew Knutt, CICCIC, Director

• “Chube’s ability to infuse cultural influences with contemporary twists, creating a vibrant and engaging musical experience” “With tracks featured on BBC Radio and their unique fusion sound resonating with audiences, Chube’s trajectory points toward a promising and creatively rich future.” Electronica.org.uk (2023)
• “Tonight’s performance was a triumph for both Chube and BMJ and there seems to be a real buzz building about this exciting and talented young band. If they were based in London rather than Cardiff their names would probably be all over the jazz media. Look out for Chube, all the signs are there that bigger things await.” – Ian Mann, 2019, The Jazz Mann Review on BMJ Club
• “I predict that Chube’s star will continue to rise. They have the potential to appeal to a broad audience, including adventurous rock listeners. Jazz, rock and electronics were all promised, and all were brilliantly delivered by this unique quartet, an alliance that may yet prove to be more than just a one off.” – Ian Mann, 2019, The Jazz Mann Review on Chube with Dennis Rollins at Wall2Wall Jazz Festival
• “Great contrasts and energies….. the versatility in instrumentation makes for a big sound too. Three sounding like seven!” – Dennis Rollins MBE

About Chube

Chube was set up by Ben Creighton Griffiths (Harp, Keys) and Matt Williams (Drums, Engineering) in 2015. They wrote their first tracks in 2016 before being joined by Aeddan Williams on bass for the recording of their first EP in summer 2017, before releasing it at an exclusive launch show at Tiny Rebel Cardiff in 2018. Since then the project has gone from strength to strength. After the Covid pandemic Ben was joined by Ashley John Long on bass and Jon Bradford Jones on drums, whilst Matt remains with the group as a producer and engineer.

Chube has performed at a number of festivals including Harp on Wight, Aberjazz, and Wall2Wall Jazz Festivals – giving a unique recital with special guest Dennis Rollins MBE on the trombone at the latter. They have also performed at independent music venues around the country including Tiny Rebel Cardiff, the Black Mountain Jazz Club, Gwdihw Cardiff, Matt & Phreds Jazz Club Manchester, OCC Malvern, Flute & Tankard Cardiff, The Fleece Bristol, and Worley’s at the Swan Stourport.

Tracks by Chube, including their remix collaboration with BESPA, have been played on BBC Radio Wales Introducing with Adam Walton, BBC Radio 3 Jazz Now, BBC Cymru with Lisa Gwilym, and radio Cardiff multiple times. In 2019 Chube was a finalist for the Peter Whittingham Jazz Award.

Upcoming shows include their London debut at Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho, the Bridport Arts Centre, CroftFest, and their European debut at the new ‘Stella Matutina European Harp Festival in Austria in 2025. Chube released their second EP in August 2023, breaking new ground, garnering positive reviews, and developing their sound and blend of styles even further.

Benjamin Creighton Griffiths is an Internationally touring jazz and classical harpist based in Wales. Originally classically trained he now specialises in jazz both as a soloist and with his bands – the Transatlantic Hot Club and Chube. His career has taken him across the world including to Canada, the Caribbean, Hong Kong, India, Brazil, and across Europe and has seen him collaborate with excellent musicians in both the classical and jazz world. As well as a performer he is a composer, most recently developing a concert schedule for his own Concerto for Jazz Harp & Symphony Orchestra.