The young British band will perform Out ’n’ In: Inspired by Eric Dolphy at the Shire Hall.

Empirical belong to the sharp-suited school of jazz, both literally and figuratively, paying tribute to American jazz alto saxophonist, flautist, and bass clarinettist Eric Allan Dolphy (1928 to 1964).

The set will feature a mixture of Dolphy’s compositions with some new tunes by the band.

The Dolphy numbers are almost all taken from Out to Lunch, a classic of progressive jazz, with the band adapting Dolphy's angular style to create several original numbers.

Band member Nathaniel Facey said: “As well as being a personal hero of ours, Eric Dolphy was a pivotal musician in the musical avant-garde of the late 1950s and 60s who influenced his peers and subsequent generations – we are evidence of that. His influence on jazz music as a composer as well as instrumentalist is not often celebrated so, having played the music from his classic album Out to Lunch, we have decided to broaden our look at his legacy.”

In May 2008, Empirical collected the Ensemble of the Year prize at the annual Parliamentary Jazz Awards, held at the House of Commons.

This award was only the latest in a succession of accolades the quintet has picked up in its short life, with the band’s award-winning assault on the jazz scene starting at the North Sea Jazz Festival in July 2007 when it won the inaugural EBU/European Jazz Competition, followed later that year by the Peter Whittingham Jazz Award.

n Tickets are £10 from (01430) 431535 or online at www.howden-live.com