The Printmakers

The Printmakers project originates from the creative partnership of Nikki Iles and Norma Winstone. Brought together by their collective love of song, this group of musicians crosses boundaries that traditionally separate jazz, folk and the contemporary music world. The repertoire ranges across originals by band members, compositions by Steve Swallow and Ralph Towner, songs from Joni Mitchell and the poetry of Rupert Brooke. Norma Winstone, exquisite lyricist and pioneering innovator of the voice in jazz, released her ECM album Distances to great critical acclaim last year. Nikki Iles’ and Mike Walker’s almost telepathic empathy and energy will be familiar to many (both having played recently at the RNCM) and Mark Lockheart remains one of the country’s most creative saxophone players. Completing the line up are Steve Watts on bass - a significant player in so many innovative groups such as Django Bates, Iain Ballamy and Kirk Lightsey - and on drums, American Jeff Williams who has worked extensively with the late Stan Getz, Paul Bley, Joe Lovano and Richie Beirach.