Big Band for the 21st century
Part of Leeds’ independent jazz and experimental music scene, Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band celebrates the launch party for their third album, The New Atomic, at City Varieties on Sat 27 June. We spoke to the band’s founder, award-winning composer/arranger/musician Fergus Quill, about dragging big band music kicking and screaming into the 21st century.
Written by Fergus Quill
From jam nights to jazz festivals
First of all, tell us about yourself and Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band.
My name is Fergus Quill and I’m a composer and improviser based in Leeds. I have worked with artists as diverse as Shirley Bassey and Evan Parker. I am also the founder of Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band, a 22-piece experimental big band based here in Leeds.
How did Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band develop?
Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band started out as a Sun Ra tribute for a jam night in Hyde Park Book Club back in 2018, and since then we have released two albums and a handful of singles, played venues such as Howard Assembly Room, The Vortex and Ronnie Scott’s, and played festivals such as Love Supreme and London, Leeds and Manchester Jazz Festivals.
You’ve toured nationally – what have been some of the highlights?
When the band started it was so big that we never imagined we would play outside of Leeds! However, since then, I think we have gotten a bit better, mostly thanks the logistics planning of our Baritone Saxophone player, Bess Shooter. Some highlights include travelling ‘school trip-style’ on a hired Tetley bus to Manchester Jazz Festival, and filling up the Ronnie Scott’s dressing room so much that we were spilling out into the corridor – some members of the band claim to haven eaten their tea in the toilet to save space!
Have you got any advice for musicians wanting to break into the industry?
Do lots of different things when you start out and figure out what you like. Try to be kind and understanding, and if somebody books you for a gig, it’s advisable to do your homework and learn the material!
Ferg's Imaginary Big Band at Ronnie Scott's.
Ferg's Imaginary Big Band outside Ronnie Scott's.
A homecoming show
You’re a Leeds local – how would you describe the Leeds music scene?
I think Leeds has one of the best music scenes in the country. It is big enough to have a really diverse selection of music and events, but is still small enough that everybody sort of seems to know each other!
What I think is great about the Leeds scene is, because the cost of living is lower than say Bristol or London, it gives a lot more time to work out what you want to do and experiment in a way you might not have the luxury of doing if you were based somewhere else!
Your upcoming show at City Varieties is the launch party for your new album, The New Atomic. What can you tell us about the album?
The New Atomic is our second studio album and the first 40 minutes of a three-day recording session that left us with over four hours of music.
It features over 30 musicians and combines Duke Ellington and Sun Ra intersecting with Godzilla, Japanese monster cinema, early bluegrass field recordings, harmolodic experimentation, vintage samplers, Sunn amplifiers and the ecstatic noise explorations of Boredoms. Even if you hate jazz, I think you might like this!
What can audiences expect from this special launch party show?
Our shows are known for being very improvisational and theatrical, with band members known to move freely around the audience. And it is humorous as well as experimental and noisy. We are not your parents’ jazz band!
We are so excited to play in such a historic venue and we definitely plan to lean into the theatricality of the place! I’ve been watching old episodes of The Good Old Days in preparation…
We don’t play in Leeds anywhere near as often as I’d like – and we won’t play again for sometime so don’t miss your opportunity to watch us play on home turf!
Anything else you’d like to add?
Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band is an amazing community of musicians founded and based in Leeds that have gone off to amazing and interesting things. Don’t miss a rare hometown show in one of the coolest venues in the city!
Ferg's Imaginary Big Band at Howard Assembly Room, Leeds. Credit @visualsby_cw.
Ferg's Imaginary Big Band recording their latest album, The New Atomic. Credit @visualsby_cw.
Book tickets
Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band: ‘The New Atomic’ Album Launch Party at City Varieties
Sat 27 June 2026
Ever-growing in size, the 25+ member ensemble (including members of Awen Ensemble, Ancient Infinity Orchestra, Plantfood and KOG) is a who’s who of the North’s jazz and improvised music scene. Known for expansive and immersive arrangements, the band takes inspiration from a wide tapestry of influences; from The Sun Ra Arkestra, Duke Ellington and Count Basie, to Bowling, Godzilla and Mexican-American restaurants.
Find out more
Support us
Theatre For All
Help us increase our number of Accessible shows and bring the connection of live performances to new audiences.
Donate now
Name a Seat
Every seat tells a story. To keep writing the chapters, we’re inviting audiences to Name a Seat at one of our venues.
Find out more
Memberships
Join one of our membership schemes today and be the first to hear about forthcoming shows and screenings.
Join now
Gift vouchers
Give the gift of world-class live performance and cinema across The Grand, The Varieties and Hyde Park Picture House.
Buy now
