Hard-blowing New York-based saxophonist Tim Armacost kicks off his European tour in style with two Late Shows at Ronnie Scott's, London (6 and 7 February) in support of his new album, Time Being, which is released on Whirlwind Recordings on 24 February. A prolific and powerful presence on the international jazz scene for the last 30 years, Time Being is his first album under his own name for Whirlwind, also appearing on two albums by the New York Standards Quartet and Alex Garnett's Bunch of Five for the label. His latest packs in an all-star rhythm section of first-call bassist Robert Hurst and powerhouse drummer Jeff 'Tain' Watts, with some tracks also featuring renowned pianist David Kikowski.

The tour itself features US expat drummers Rod Youngs (on the first two UK shows), Barcelona-based Marc Ayza (for the Valencia gig) and the Vienna-based Klemens Marktl for the rest of the concerts. Whirlwind label boss and bassist Michael Janisch is set to play every night of the tour with guitarist David Preston making a guest appearance on their final night in London. Dates are: Late Show, Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, London (6-7 Feb); Jimmy Glass, Valencia, Spain (8 Feb); Repete, Llubliana, Slovenia (9 Feb); Miles Jazz Bar, Graz, Austria (10 Feb); Raj, Klagenfurt, Austria (11 Feb); The Albert, Bristol, England (12 Feb); Royal Academy of Music Festival, London (14-16 Feb); The Verdict, Brighton (17 Feb); The Archduke, London.

– Mike Flynn

For more info visit www.whirlwindrecordings.com/time-being