Ståle Solberg / John Butcher + Upstairs! Downstairs

Hailing from Norway, Ståle Liavik Solberg has become a stalwart of the improvised music scene in London. His partnership with legendary saxophonist John Butcher has grown over the course of the past 10 years, including a mix of duo performances and collaborations with players like John Russell, Kaja Draksler, Pat Thomas, and the late, great Barre Phillips. These are two improvisers with undeniable connections with the history of improvised music in Europe, and we are delighted to be able to bring them to Birmingham for this concert. A recent addition to the improvised music scene in Birmingham has been Upstairs!, a hip micro-gig taking place each month in the intimate Redbeerd pub in Cotteridge. The gigs organisers and resident house band consists of bassist Trevor Lines and saxophonist Bruce Coates, two improvisers who have been at the heart of the Birmingham scene for decades, pushing its boundaries in new directions with ceaseless creativity. Bringing the micro-gig into a macro-setting, Lines and Coates will be joined be three recent Redbeerd guests, Alicia Gardener-Trejo on baritone sax and alto flute, Maja Pluta on violin, and John Jasnoch on guitar.