THE drummer with UK rock band Kasabian will be in Chester next month to perform a gig to launch the city university’s Popular Music Professionals Week.
Ian Matthews will be on stage with Figment of Funk, a jazz-funk band consisting of lecturers from the university’s performing arts department, on March 4 at Alexander’s, Rufus Court.
This is the second time the musician has taken part in Popular Music Professionals Week.
Running until March 8, the week will see visiting artists run masterclasses and workshops for popular music students in Chester.
In addition, there will be public performances. Highlights this year include a session with Professor Allan Moore, popular music scholar and author of books such as Rock: The Primary Text and Analysing Popular Music.
Pete Churchill, performer, composer, educator and professor of jazz composition at the Royal Academy of Music, will also be making an appearance.
There will also be visits from experienced session performers such as Ryan Haberfield and Simon Carter.
David Bebbington, senior lecturer and programme leader in popular music at the university, said: “Versatility is a key ingredient of our popular music programmes and this week typifies the extent to which this is vital to a musician entering work in the music world, particularly in the industry today.
“Popular music students have real opportunities to network with musicians working at the highest levels.”
Tickets for the Figment of Funk gig are priced £10, £7 for students, and can be booked on 01244 340005 or 01244 515860. Doors open at 8pm.
