The Magic Hat Ensemble

The Magic Hat Ensemble

The Magic Hat Ensemble is a jazz group formed in Manchester in early 2006 after informal jam sessions at a house in the city. The band reworks jazz standards into unusual, swinging arrangements and develops a reputation as a live act across jazz venues in the UK.

Line-up

The group features Steve Chadwick on cornet and trumpet, Tony Ormesher on guitar, Andrzej Baranek on piano, Nick Blacka on bass, and Rob Turner on drums.

Style and repertoire

The ensemble focuses on familiar jazz material but presents it with distinctive arrangements and a rhythmic approach that includes sharp metric changes. Its playing is described through references to influences such as Thelonious Monk, Shelley Manne and Oscar Peterson, while also emphasising a collective sound and extended improvisation. The group is associated with post-bop, though it treats standards in a playful and individual way.

Live reputation and reception

The Magic Hat Ensemble builds a strong reputation as a live band performing widely around the UK. It is described as tight, inventive and unpretentious, with arrangements that serve as a base for improvisation and ensemble interplay. Their album This Conversation is Over is noted for presenting highly individual versions of standards.