While never loosening their grip from the grateful throat of funk rock, three Blockheads in particular - Chaz Jankel, Gilad Atzmon and Dylan Howe - have been striking out for quite some time with their own respective jazz thangs, and 2006 is set to be quite a year.

Fly favourite Gilad Atzmon will grace us with his presence for two nights only at London’s legendary venue The Vortex, on January 14th and 15th. Playing a selection from his hugely successful albums Exile and muziK, the 14th will be the Orient House Ensemble’s final UK show. The 15th sees the multi-reed phenomenon unveiling his new look foursome, featuring Frank Harrison on piano, Yaron Stavi on double bass and drummer John Blease.

Book online for the 14th or 15th
The Vortex Jazz Club
11 Gillett Street, London N16 8JH

Meanwhile, Chaz Jankel has added a feminine slant to his jazz shenanegans - and collaborating with US songbird Tyra and The Blockheads themselves, Jankel lets us in on what he’s been up to with a hotly anticipated gig at London’s Rhythm Factory on February 2nd, supported by drummer Dylan Howe’s brother Virgil’s band (nearly ran out of breath there…) The Dirty Feel.
www.rhythmfactory.co.uk

And last but certainly not least, the brilliant Dylan Howe himself is currently in the studio working on his finest work to date, longplayer Translation - recorded live in Soho: the follow up to his critically acclaimed second album This Is It.

“This is the best thing I’ve done. I’m very excited about how the band is sounding,” he tells Fly, “After extensive touring last year, we wanted to document the two explosive nights at the Pizza Express Soho last September and redefines our jazz quintet sound.

“We are aiming for a June release,” he adds. Wahey!

Fly urges you to keep an eye on Howe (not because he’s going to do anything naughty, you understand) - his Blue Note tinged star is rising at an alarming rate, and anyone who has seen him live with his jazz quintet will know what we are talking about. Alongside saxophonist Brandon Allen and his band, Howe blew us all away on New Year’s Eve show at the iconic (and newly revamped) jazz venue The Bull’s Head in Barnes, SW London. Make it your New Year’s resolution to go and see this veritable whirlwind asap.

Meanwhile, here are some Dylan dates to be going on with…

• January 27: Suffolk. The Fleece, 18 The Causeway, Boxford. 01787 311 865. 8-11PM.
• March 5: Herts. Old Cock Inn, High St, Harpenden. AL5 2SP.01582 712 649. QUARTET. 2-4PM. Free
• March 9: Nottingham. Bonnington Theatre, Arnold Leisure Centre, Nottingham 01159670114. 8-11pm. £12/£8 www.jazzsteps.co.uk
• March 10: Sheffield. Millennium Hall www.sheffieldjazz.org.uk
• March 12. Kent. The Eagle, Rochester 01634 407041. 1-4PM. Free
• March 26. Wigan. Wigan Jazz Club 01942 243974. 8-11PM.£5
• April 8: Surrey. Cranleigh Arts Centre 0845 128 128. 8PM. £10 www.cranleighartscentre.org
• April 9. Herts. Old Cock Inn, Harpenden 01582 712 649.QUARTET. 2-4PM
• July 2: Plymouth. Plymouth Jazz Club 01752 774 461 www.plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk
• July 4: Cornwall. St.Ives Jazz Club 01736 798061. 8pm. £5-£7 www.stivesjazzclub.com
• July 6: Wilshire. Swindon Jazz Society 01793 826 856. 8-11PM
• July 13+14: London. Pizza Express Jazz Club 020 7439 8722. 8.45PM. £15 www.pizzaexpress.co.uk

www.dylanhowe.com