Directors Choice – Fresh Funky Jazz Fusion Night with Slinky Machine – Fri 7th Mar

Doors 7.30pm. Concert 8.00pm. Tickets £15 online £19 OTD.

CICCIC presents some of the best jazz fusion players in the UK and on Friday 15th Nov we have funky fusion jazz band Slinky Machine and designated as ‘directors choice’ due to the quality of the musicianship, performance and creativity.

About Slinky Machine

Slinky Machine is a four-piece modern jazz fusion band who are equally at home in a jazz bar as they are playing to a festival crowd, with a typical Slinky Machine live set featuring exciting original material, fusion classics and classy re-workings of contemporary tunes.

The band is based in the beautiful South West of England. The lineup is Pete Earle on electric bass, John Robertson on electric guitar, Jack Francis on drums and Ian Kindred on keyboards including lots of Moog and Hammond. Each member of Slinky Machine has diverse experience and musical credits across genres of jazz, blues, funk, rock, pop, ska, metal and country!

The debut album of original material was released in August 2022, a massive effort considering the recording started in February 2020 and was rudely interrupted for more than a year. ‘Choose Your Froot’ is available in CD format as well as on all popular streaming platforms. Recorded by maestro engineer Mark Tucker at his studio The Green Room in Devon, the tracks were mastered by Scott Hull at masterdisk, NY, USA, well known for his work with artists like Wayne Shorter, Mike Stern and Snarky Puppy. Guest appearance on percussion is Miles Bould whose resume includes work with Sting, Dominic Miller and Steps Ahead.

Live shows include regular appearances at jazz clubs and festivals, from tiny clubs like Mau Mau Bar in London to international jazz festivals like Sidmouth and Rye. Slinky are a trusted, highly experienced outfit, having been invited to open up for global headline acts such as Ronnie Scott’s AllStars and most recently The Brand New Heavies.

Slinky Machine has been described as:

“A superbly-exciting band fused by the coming together of musical maestros. Slinky Machine’s progressive jazz is just what it says on their tin; slinky, a sleek sound with riffs that cling to the memory and an almost-samba sinuousness that sways the body with the blissful warmth of a summer breeze.”
Geoff Baker, former publicist for Paul McCartney

“What a musical journey of modern, electric jazz fusion. It was like a tasty fruity cocktail covered in a fine tapestry of colour and funky notes that brought the inner soul to life. Slinky Machine are no doubt on the way up with their well-structured and breath-taking compositions. From complex keyboards to groovy licks of bass; from rhythmic drums to intricate guitar, you get flavours that other bands can’t provide and as a live band I would highly recommend them.”
Andrew Knutt, Head of Music & Programming, Creative Innovation Centre, Somerset

“Slinky Machine… WOW what an incredibly talented group of consummate professional musicians. It was a privilege to have Slinky Machine perform at the 2023 Sidmouth International Jazz and Blues Festival, opening up for headliners The Brand New Heavies. Slinky Machine over delivered in terms of their diversity and originality in their performance and we are very much looking forward to having this amazing band perform on a regular basis at the festival in future years. These guys are in the ‘pocket’, know their craft and understand exactly how to entertain an expectant audience with ‘Funk Ladened Grooves’ that will get any audience on their feet dancing. Until next time, we can’t wait.”
Ian Bowden, Festival Director, Sidmouth & Rye International Jazz & Blues Festivals