Concert date: Friday 28th November 2025
Norma Winstone (voice); Nikki Iles (piano); Mark Lockheart (tenor & soprano saxophone); Mike Walker (guitar); Steve Watts (double bass)
It was almost two years ago that I first heard The Printmakers at Zeffirellis, and as previously the group played without drummer James Maddren as a quintet that Nikki Iles fondly refers to as Small Print. Once again, the five musicians delivered two sets that we full of variation and inspiration in equal measures.
The Lake District is like a second home for the group having played at the venue on numerous occasions over the years as well as recording their acclaimed album Westerly at Yewfield House in Hawkshead. With the album released in 2015 this felt very much like an anniversary concert, and an attentive audience were in attendance to commemorate the occasion.
Once again Nikki Iles had put together a programme that encompassed standards and four songs from the album, alongside compositions by the group’s favourite composers including John Taylor, Ralph Towner, Steve Swallow, Fred Hersch and Kenny Wheeler.
Over the years since the formation of The Printmakers and recording the album the five musicians must have been played these compositions hundreds of times, but this was not evident in the performances. Each tune was delivered with a freshness and joy in playing together that gave the music that timeless quality, and such is the quality of the arrangements and repertoire that it is difficult to imagine ever being tired of hearing them.
Opening with the Fred Hersch composition ‘Stars’ with lyrics by Norma got proceedings off to a gently swinging start with fine solos from Mark Lockheart on tenor and Nikki Iles whose flowing improvisation emerged organically from Hersch’s melody. This was followed by one of my favourite Kenny Wheeler tunes ‘Everybody’s Song But My Own’ for which Norma again provided the lyrics. Wheeler’s beautiful composition also brought out some inspired solos from the pianist as well as guitarist Mike Walker and Lockheart this time on soprano saxophone.
Norma’s tasteful lyrics and Wheeler’s melodic genius were again on display on ‘Sea Lady (and incidentally another favourite of mine) and once again Mark Lockheart and Mike Walker found inspiration producing excellent solos.
A renowned lyricist, it is as a vocalist that Norma Winstone never fails to surprise and delight. She delivers lyrics with a storyteller’s sense of drama, and her wordless vocals and improvisatory prowess are legendary. John Taylor’s ‘O’ gave us the opportunity to witness this phenomenon from the abstract opening to its joyous theme for voice, saxophone and guitar in a spellbinding performance. Norma also put her personal stamp on Ralph Towner’s ‘The Glide’ singing her own lyrics before delivering a superb wordless solo and then giving a passionate and emotional reading of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Two Grey Rooms’. Not wishing to steal the show, Winstone promptly did so with an exquisite ‘My Foolish Heart’.
Throughout Nikki Iles sat at the piano with a smile on her face, clearly enjoying listening to the wonderful musicians she had put together as The Printmakers. Iles accompaniment is often understated and subtle but reveals a sharp arrangers mind at work. Locked in with bassist Steve Watts, the two provided exemplary support leaving Mike Walker to switch roles between accompanist, commentator and soloist.
Wit more than a decade together, The Printmakers are a real band, sure in the knowledge that whichever direction they may take the music that everyone will move together as one. As good as the album is, the live experience is the real deal.
