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Saturday, 9 October 2010 - Alan Barnes and his Ellingtonians STOP PRESS: Tony Coe is unable to appear on Saturday, but we are very fortunate that Ken Peplowski (who launched our last season so successfully for us with Alan Barnes) is in town and able to play for us instead. Start with a bang, they said and so we are! Alan needs no special introduction here for he’s a one-man force for good in jazz. This time round his all-star ensemble will perform the great arrangements they’ve assembled of superior Duke Ellington numbers. Just consider the line-up and prepare to salivate: Alan Barnes, alto, clarinet and bass clarinet, Bruce Adams, trumpet; Mark Nightingale, trombone; Tony Coe, clarinet and tenor; Andy Panayi, baritone, clarinet & flute; John Horler, piano; Mark Hodgson, bass and the ever-youthful Bobby Worth on drums. A kind of buyer’s guide to the best in British jazz, you could say. Stand by to be amazed. Saturday, 13 Nov 2010 - The Big Chris Barber Band There’ll be some changes made, in the words of the old song, and so there have. Since we last saw Chris Barber’s marvellous band, trumpeter Pat Halcox has retired, replaced by Peter Rudeforth, bassist Dave Green has resumed freelancing and trombonist Bob Hunt has returned from his sojourn in South Africa. There are new faces among the reedmen and behind the drums too, while the bass is now in the capable hands of Trefor Williams from Phil Mason’s New Orleans band. What hasn’t changed is the ageless Barber’s commitment to inventive, swinging jazz, whether in the familiar six-piece format or as the augmented bigger band. Traditional, swing, early Ellington, all jazz life is here. Full personnel: Mike ‘Magic’ Henry, Rudeforth (t); Barber, Hunt (tb); Richard Exall, Zoltan Sagi, David Horniblow (reeds); Joe Farler (banjo, guitar); John Slaughter (g); Williams (b); Gregor Beck (d). Saturday 27 Nov 2010 - Tardo Hammer Trio We’re especially privileged to be able to take advantage of a brief visit to London by Tardo Hammer, the leading New York pianist who is best known here as musical director for the great expat vocalist Annie Ross. Tardo has worked with all the best figures in US modern jazz, including the late Johnny Griffin, Clifford Jordan and Junior Cook. He tours with Warren Vache and has made a host of highly rated recordings. Quite simply one of the best bebop pianists of our day, Tardo will be accompanied by bassist Giorgos Antoniou and drummer Steve Brown. An opportunity not to be missed! Saturday 11 Dec 2010 - One Hundred Years of Jazz This intriguing title conceals a tantalising prospect. Georgina Jackson, vocals & trumpet; Pete Long, clarinet & saxophones; Enrico Tomasso, trumpet; Nick Dawson, piano; Dave Chamberlain, bass; and drummer Richard Pite are going to attempt the impossible. They intend to cover the whole history of jazz, from ragtime to the avant-garde, and all points between in 99 minutes flat. Can they do it? Believe it or not, as Ripley used to say. Come and be blown away - just the ticket for our last concert before Christmas. Saturday 5 Feb 2011 - Michael Garrick Quintet Michael Garrick was recently described as one of the ‘national treasures’ of British jazz and was appointed MBE in the 2010 Birthday Honours. His 50-year career has encompassed every aspect of jazz performance, his trios, small groups and big bands attracting plaudits from critics and audiences alike. He’s also a distinguished composer, a dedicated educator and a cheerleader for new, young players, among them his son, violinist Christian Garrick. At our request, Michael has re-assembled his 1960s quintet for this special concert, allowing us to appreciate once again the supreme talents of trumpeter Henry Lowther, tenor-saxophonist Art Themen, bassist Dave Green and drummer Trevor Tomkins, their efforts topped and tailed by Michael’s adroit and vibrant piano work. Saturday 5 March 2011 Jacqui Dankworth Quintet Here’s another first for Pinner. Inspired, doubtless, by her illustrious parents, Jacqui has pursued her own, very distinctive pathway as a jazz vocalist. She’s versatile, at ease in a variety of musical situations, loves to work with great jazz musicians and knows how to entertain. Her voice can ‘be soft and confiding, or take on a gospelly fervour’ in the words of The Guardian’s John Fordham. Look out for some musical surprises as well as some distinctive jazz from Jacqui, aided by Mark Nightingale on trombone and Jacqui’s regular associate Charlie Wood on piano, plus Alec Dankworth and Roy Dodds on bass and drums respectively. Saturday 2 Apr 2011 - Henry Armburg Jennings Sextet We complete our new season with a cracking band fronted by the young trumpeter Henry Armburg-Jennings. A proponent of the fast-moving bebop style, Henry is a brilliant soloist and one-time NYJO star, teamed here with the fervent altoist Alex Garnett and the burly Australian tenor-saxophonist Brandon Allen in a front-line imbued with vigour and enterprise. These younger-generation players are helping to place British jazz at the forefront of world jazz. They need and possess a rhythm section of similar class. Pianist Leon Greening is the one player wanted by every bandleader; he’s propulsive, tumultuous and hugely enthusiastic, qualities that apply equally to the playing of US bassist Mike Janisch and the ever-smiling Steve Brown, impeccable on drums. Theirs is commanding music, full of vim and vitality and we’re delighted to welcome them to Pinner. Programme Notes by Peter Vacher, July 2010 x |
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