Empirical

This quartet found cool precision in its 75th-anniversary tribute to the Blue Note label, writes John Fordham

This young quartet create fascinating patterns in sound that baffle as much as they delight, writes Dave Gelly

Empirical have become fascinating and fearless with these new pieces that verge on musico-philosophical speculation, writes John Fordham

The Forge, London: The pianist with the acclaimed Empirical was engrossing in his interpretations of classics by Monk and Ellington, writes John Fordham

When they emerged in 2007, Empirical made bigger waves and more column inches than any UK jazz ­ensemble since Courtney Pine's early bands, says John Fordham

Despite sounding thrillingly contemporary, jazz bands like Empirical are labelled traditional. If there is to be a continuing interest in the genre, it's important that these distinctions are made

Pizza Express, W1, Sat 13; Ronnie Scott's, W1, Mon 15 & Tue 16; Imperial Wharf Jazz Festival, SW6, Thu 18

Ronnie Scott's, London

Meet the sharp dressers bringing a sense of style back to jazz. John Fordham talks to Empirical

(Destin-E Records)