The Barrels will host a launch show on Wednesday, October 30, for Blue Haze's new album, Afan's Dance, on which all tracks are composed by Simon Deeley, . Led by composer and pianist, Simon, Blue Haze have cemented their place as one of the region’s top proponents of jazz fusion, but with their new album, they are finally looking to spread their wings and reach the ears of jazz lovers nationwide. Comprising Simon; electric bassist, Ian Cooper and drummer Charlie Russell, they have forgone their usual addition of a saxophone to develop their style by means of the time-honoured jazz piano trio format, which has resulted in them now being, a close-knit, more rhythmically centred group.

Now based in the Welsh Borders, band leader, Simon Deeley crossed over to the jazz world from classical some years ago, eager to explore his interests in combining not just jazz but also blues, rock, Latin American music and film music.

Influenced, not only by musical greats – everyone from Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck and Bill Evans to Stevie Wonder and classical masters Ravel and Copland – but also by the beauty and atmosphere of his surroundings, Simon’s compositions have always shown a variety of styles. Following the well-received albums Crossing Borders and From the Blue Hills the forthcoming Afan’s Dance sees less evidence of their Latin sounds and a stronger emphasis on Simon’s role, enhancing his strong, incisive and harmonically vivid piano playing and the bass work of Ian Cooper, whose instrument is regularly featured in more of a lead role – intricate and melodic, but always grooving – with the whole underpinned by the strong, driving, always musically sensitive drum skills of Charlie Russell, it promises to be a treat for jazz lovers of all kinds.

Blue Haze will launch Afan's Dance at The Barrels on Wednesday, October 30 at 7.45pm. For tickets, call 07890 303681 or 01432 274968