International Jazz Night - Wednesday

with Mark Crooks

Nick is often seen at the club playing piano with many of the top jazz bands. He is also a great singer. This is a great chance to hear him sing & with his own band.

They are joined by the award winning clarinettist Mark Crooks

Ronnie Kole's love affair with the piano began as a boy in Chicago, where he was born.  It was a classic case of fate which gave him a lifelong mission that has been uplifting to audiences around the world.

As a youngster Ronnie developed a bad heart which would put him flat on his back for 4 or 5 months out of the year.  Fortunately, in years to come, this condition was to clear up...but it was a blessing in disguise.  To keep him from playing baseball his parents bought him a piano, & the rest is history. 

The late legendary trumpet virtuoso, Al Hirt is mainly responsible for the career of Ronnie.  It was he, who insisted that Ronnie leave his 'steady gig' in Chicago, & go on the road.  Kole took Hirt's advice, & within a year was performing on Johnny Caron's Tonight Show, the Mike Douglas & Merv Griffin shows, & yes, even in Vegas.  It was also Al Hirt who brought Ronnie to New Orleans.  Al asked Ronnie to alternate with his band at his new club on Bourbon Street.  This he did for a few years, until one day Al said to him, "Kole, you're getting too big to be working opposite me...you need to have your own club."  It wasn't long after that, Kole's Corner became one of the big three places to go when in New Orleans... the other two being, Al Hirt's & Pete Fountain's.

The civic side of Ronnie Kole has been equally as busy, mainly directed toward tourism & music.  He's been chairman of the State of Louisiana Tourist Commission, chairman of the St. Tammany Parish Tourist Commission, on the executive board of the New Orleans Tourist & Convention Commission, twice chairman of the Louisiana/New Orleans Host Committee, & represented the State as VP of the Southeast Tourism Society. Ronnie has served as Chairman & President of the Executive Committee of the Nokia Sugar Bowl. He is a charter member & past Chairman of the French Quarter Festival. He has also been entertainment chairman since its inception in 1984. Ronnie was also a charter member of the original New Orleans JazzFest,& is founder & chairman of the New Orleans Music Industry Foundation. He's also been a member of the Super Bowl Task Force twice, the Final 4 Entertainment Chairman, plus is on the board of the Northshore Regional Medical Center, & the executive board of The World Trade Center, which was the first one in the world.

Ronnie is the only non-chef to ever receive coveted Paul Prudhomme Award at the Acadiana Culinary Classic in 1992. This award is given each year to the person doing the most to promote the foods of Louisiana throughout the country & world.  Kole was honoured with the prestigious Meritorious Service Award, presented by American Federation of Musicians President, Steve Young. Also honoured were the late Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, Allen Toussaint, Fats Domino, and Dr. John.  Later that month, The New Orleans Jazz Club presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to Jazz Greats: Pete Fountain, Al Hirt & Ronnie Kole at their 50th Anniversary Party.  He has been inducted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame & the LA Music Hall of Fame.

Ronnie Kole has had the great pleasure of performing for Presidents Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush & Clinton, as well as Pope John Paul II.  He has performed in concerts at Carnegie Hall as well as in well over 500 cities throughout the USA, Mexico, Central & South America.  Add to that many tours to France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, England, Japan, The Philippines, Korea, Taipei, Singapore & Russia, & you know the broad scope & versatility of his music & personality.

Ronnie Kole is joined by Andre Messeder on bass & Bobby Worth on drums

For further infromation about the Ronnie Kole please visit
www.ronniekole.com

with special guest
Elaine Delmar

“It is as a drummer, as a composer & arranger we think of him.  Allan Ganley was superlative in all departments; as superlative a jazz musician as anyone in Britain so far has come up with.”  
Sir John Dankworth

Family & friends of Allan Ganley, one of Britain’s foremost jazz musicians, have come together to form The Allan Ganley Jazz Legacy, keeping alive the music composed & arranged by this internationally admired drummer, composer & arranger who sadly passed away last year

Officially launching at The Stables Theatre, Wavendon on 14 June 2009, The Allan Ganley Jazz Legacy includes June Time, a new album of Allan’s big band music, recorded by an all-star line up of British jazz musicians including Andy Panayi (conductor), Alan Barnes, Mark Nightingale, John Horler, Julian Siegel, Andy Mackintosh & Mike Smith to name a few - all of whom were in Allan’s Big Band.

All profits raised through album sales will be directed to The Allan Ganley Bursary Fund which was set up following Allan’s death, to enable a promising young musician to attend the National Youth Music Camps.  The Bursary provides funding for young musicians who would not otherwise be able to attend. 

Allan Ganley
11 March 1931 - 29 March 2008

Allan Ganley played for some of the great jazz artists such as; Stan Getz, Jim Hall, Peggy Lee, Dizzy Gillespie, George Shearing, Stephane Grappelli, John Dankworth, Cleo Laine, Nelson Riddle, Henry Mancini, Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Scott & many more. Born in 1931 in Surrey, Allan's first professional job was in 1951 & the following year he joined Jimmy Walker's quintet, followed by stints with Jack Parnell, Ambrose, Geraldo & then the first big band that John Dankworth formed in 1953.
In 1955, Allan left to freelance in London, playing the major jazz clubs with his own quartet, doing recording & film sessions, until joining with Ronnie Ross to form the Jazzmakers, which toured the USA with the 1959 Jazz Festival. Then came the most demanding job in British jazz, the Tubby Hayes Quintet, the most popular group from 1962-1964.
During his time as house drummer at Ronnie Scott's club, Allan accompanied Jim Hall, Art Farmer, Blossom Dearie, Roland Kirk, Freddie Hubbard among others.
From 1967 to 1976 Allan played in Bermuda & during this time met & married June & their daughter Allison was born in 1972. It was during this time that Allan studied arranging & composing at the Berklee School of Music in Boston.  Allan has since written arrangements for the BBC Big Band, Ken Peplowski, Georgie Fame, Elaine Delmar & John Dankworth, as well as his own groups. Upon returning to the UK Allan formed his first big band.  He was a member of the Scott Hamilton Quartet & the Pizza Express All Stars before renewing his association with John Dankworth & Cleo Laine which remains to this day.  Cleo recorded "Quality Time", a tune Allan wrote, with lyrics by Duncan Lamont. Allan won the Melody Maker & New Musical Express drum polls in the 50's & 60's & won the British Jazz Awards for best drummer 7 times in the 80's & 90's.  He also won the best arranger/composer award in 1990. Allan appeared in films "All Night Long" & "Dr Terror's House of Horrors" & coached Peter Sellers & Patrick McGoohan in drumming.

For further information about Allan's career please visit
www.allanganley.com

In this concert under the musical direction of Andy Panayi, the
Allan Ganley Legacy Big Band will pay their tribute to the late drummer

Line Up
Andy Panayi - Musical Director, flute & sax
Saxophones Andy Mackintosh (1st alto) Roy Willox (2nd alto)
Julian Siegel (1st tenor) Vic Ash (2nd tenor)
Alan Barnes (baritone)
Trumpets Derek Watkins, Simon Gardner, Tony Fisher
Henry Lowther, Martin Shaw
Trombones Mark Nightingale, Gordon Campbell
Cliff Hardie, Bill Geldard
Piano John Horler
Bass Malcolm Creese
Drums Mike Smith

The band are joined by vocalist Elaine Delmar
'Among the multitude of good jazz singers in Britain today, there is not one who can surpass Elaine Delmar..."
Dave Gelly, Sunday Observer

For further information about Elaine Delmar please visit
www.elainedelmar.com

Derek Nash, Dave Newton, Geoff Gascoyne & Sebastian de Krom
with special guest
Jo Fooks on tenor sax

Derek Nash is a vibrant & charismatic performer on all 4 sax's from Soprano to Baritone, Derek Nash is equally at home leading the award winning Jazz ensemble Sax Appeal to Funky Heights, or swinging his way to best CD of the year 2000 with Spike Robinson. As a full member of the Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, he has performed in front of over 65,000 people at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff & also to over 100,000 at the Glastonbury Festival. He has appeared live on TV with with many top performers including Eric Clapton, David Sanborn, Tom Jones, Paul Carrack, Jamie Cullum, Will Young, Ruby Turner & Sam Brown.

"Derek Nash is one of the most versatile saxophonists in the UK today" - The Guardian

For further information about Derek Nash please visit www.dereknash.com

Jo Fooks was born in Edinburgh & began learning the saxophone at 15. In 1992 she won The Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year. Inspired & encouraged by local Edinburgh musicians, Jo went on to study saxophone at the Guildhall School of Music in London & at the Berklee School of Music in Boston after receiving a full fee scholarship for the summer jazz programme. After recording her debut album "Here & Now!", the legendary British trumpeter Humphrey Lyttelton invited her to join his band. Humphs fun-filled & melodic approach to music was to be a huge influence. And through performing in his band Jo also recorded & worked with Acker Bilk & played alongside Tina May, Scott Hamilton, Elkie Brooks & many others. Jo's other influences include Illinois Jacquet, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gorden, Cannonball Addderley & Bill Evans. Her mellow tone is often compared to Stan Getz & Zoot Simms.

For further information about Jo Fooks please visit
www.jofooks.com

Founded in 1989 by lecturer, stride pianist, arranger & Ellington scholar Keith Nichols, the Blue Devils Orchestra specialises in recreating the music of Duke Ellington in the 20s & 30s (especially the legendary five year Cotton Club residency). The band play such masterpieces as
Black & Tan Fantasy, Mood Indigo, Solitude & Black Beauty demonstrating the incredibly wide emotional range of Ellington's work.

The band has appeared regularly at the South Bank, all the major UK jazz festivals, throughout Europe, and at many private functions at the Waldorf and Savoy hotels.

Jazz critics have described them as:
'outrageously good'
'with stunning panache, virtuosity & energy'

The Band
Trumpets  Mike Henry, Enrico Tomasso      
Saxes Robert Fowler, Noel Murphy, Nick Payton
Trombone Alistair Allan
Guitar/Banjo Martin Wheatley
Bass/Tuba Graham Read
Drums Richard Pite                                                                                                    

For further information about the band please visit http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jazz.nichols/who.html

with guitarist Dave Blenkhorn &
special guest US tenor sax star Harry Allen

Judy Carmichael
Grammy nominated pianist Judy Carmichael is one of the world’s leading interpreters of stride piano & swing. Count Basie nicknamed her “Stride”, acknowledging the command with which she plays this technically & physically demanding jazz piano style. Another early fan, Sarah Vaughan, encouraged her to record her first ensemble album, which she did with members of the Basie band.

A native of California, Judy Carmichael moved to New York in the early 80’s & has maintained a busy concert schedule throughout the world ever since. She has toured for the United States Information Agency throughout India, Portugal, Brazil & Singapore. In 1992 Judy was the first jazz musician sponsored by the US Government to tour China.

'astounding, flawless and captivating' The New York Times

She has played in a variety of venues from Carnegie Hall to the Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice (the first ever concert presented by the museum) In addition, she has done comic skits & performed her music on radio & TV & performed private recitals for everyone from Rod Stewart & Robert Redford to President Clinton & Gianni Agnelli.

Judy Carmichael is one of a handful of musicians who approach jazz from a perspective of its entire history. Choosing to study jazz piano from its early roots on, she explores the music deeply, infusing it with a 'fresh, dynamic interpretation of her own' (Washington Post).

Judy Carmichael’s Grammy-nominated recording “Two Handed Stride” teamed her with four giants of jazz from the Count Basie Orchestra, Red Callendar, Harold Jones, Freddie Green & Marshall Royal. She is one of the few jazz pianists honoured as a Steinway Artist.

She hosts & produces her own Public Radio Show 'Judy Carmichael’s Jazz Inspired', broadcast on over 170 stations throughout North America & abroad & on NPR’s Sirius Satellite channel. She is also the host & producer of PetStyle Radio with Judy Carmichael on PetStyle.com.

For further information about Judy Carmichael please visit
www.judycarmichael.com

Harry Allen
Gene Lees writes, "Stan Getz was once asked his idea of the perfect tenor saxophone soloist. His answer was, 'My technique, Al Cohn's ideas, & Zoot's time.' The fulfillment of that ideal may well be embodied in Harry Allen."

BMG recording artist Harry Allen has over twenty recordings to his name. Three of Harry's CDs have won Gold Disc Awards from Japan's Swing Journal Magazine, & his CD Tenors Anyone? won both the Gold Disc Award & the New Star Award. His recordings have made the top ten list for favourite new releases in Swing Journal Magazine's reader's poll & Jazz Journal International's critic's poll for 1997, & Eu Nao Quero Dancar (I Won't Dance), the third Gold Disc Award winner, was voted second for album of the year for 1998 by Swing Journal Magazine's reader's poll.

Harry has performed at jazz festivals & clubs worldwide, frequently touring the United States, Europe & the Far East. He has performed with Rosemary Clooney, Ray Brown, Hank Jones, Frank Wess, Flip Phillips, Scott Hamilton, Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Kenny Burrell, Herb Ellis, John Pizzarelli, Bucky Pizzarelli, Gus Johnson, Jeff Hamilton, Terry Gibbs, Warren Vache, & has recorded with Tony Bennett, Ray Brown, Tommy Flanagan, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, Kenny Barron, Dave McKenna, Larry Goldings, George Mraz, Jake Hanna, & Al Foster, among others.

Harry is featured on many of John Pizzarelli's recordings including the soundtrack & an on-screen cameo in the feature film The Out of Towners starring Steve Martin & Goldie Hawn. He has also done a series of commercials for ESPN starring Robert Goulet.

Harry was born in Washington D.C. in 1966, & was raised in Los Angeles, CA & Burrillville, RI. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in music in 1988 from Rutgers University in New Jersey, & currently resides in New York City.

For further information about Harry Allen please visit www.harryallenjazz.com

They are joined on the evening by Dave Blenkhorn on guitar

King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys present a breathtaking mix of 1940s Kansas City jazz & blues in a truly exhilarating, swinging, non-stop live performance. Looking like they just stepped straight out of a 1940s black & white movie, this inimitable six-piece delivers a shot of pure & authentic jazz and blues from a bygone era, when swing was King.

'easily the best Rhythm & Blues Band on the planet!'
Blues & Rhythm magazine

'the hardest act to follow since the parting of the Red Sea'
Paul Jones, Radio 2

For further information about King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys please click here

Directed by trumpet player Paul Lacey, the Back to Basie Orchestra features top London session musicians & jazz soloists all dedicated to playing the music of Count Basie's second great orchestra of the 1950s & 1960s. The band captures the sound & spirit of the legendary 'Swingin' Machine'.

Launched in 2001, Back to Basie have since been presenting Count Basie tribute concerts throughout Britain & Europe to universal acclaim.

'Terrific.....not to be missed!' Malcolm Laycock BBC Radio 2

For further information about the Back to Basie Orchestra please visit
www.basie.co.uk

Six specialist musicians - five voices - thirteen instruments!

For their debut at The Concorde Club, Lancashire-based jazz sextet, The Swing Commanders, promise an evening of classic Swing & so much more - with a wide repertoire of memorable music from the 30s, 40s & 50s.

Led by Hampshire’s ‘King of the Swingers’, Peter Riley, in only two years the current vibrant, young line-up of five voices, six specialist musicians & thirteen instruments first emerged as a top attraction on the Country scene, with such standards as ‘Sixteen Tons’ & ‘Orange Blossom Special’, before laying claim to the title of Europe’s best Western Swing band, following successful tours of Holland & Texas in 2008, where their acclaimed televised rendition of such classics as ‘Rose of San Antone’ & ‘Big Balls in Cowtown’ celebrated all that was great in the rockabilly style of Texas Swing.

However, the skills of jazz percussionist, Mark Warburton & British mandolin champion, multi-instrumentalist Simon Brady, ensure that Latin rhythms have been successfully introduced, even venturing ‘South of the Border’ as far afield as Hawaii for the famous war chant.

Finally, glamorous close harmony trio, the Lavernes, echo the style of the Andrews Sisters in such Forties Swing classics as ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B’.  However, if you expect classically trained violinists, Gaynor, Nonnie & Leenie, to spend the rest of the evening sitting demurely behind their instruments – watch out!  ‘Black & White Rag’ & ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ have never quite looked or sounded like this before!

Now established radio & recording artists, with their wide range of musical styles, from the sedate waltz to some good old rock & roll, the band members delight listeners & dancers alike of all ages &, following last year’s American television debut, have recently recorded their first concert for British television.

Whatever your musical taste from the golden era of Swing, you will find something to relish from this hugely talented, high-energy sextet that is emerging as the Swing sensation of 2009.  In their own unique style, The Swing Commanders guarantee over two hours of musical excellence in the finest traditions of The Concorde Club.

For further information about The Swing Commanders please visit
www.swingcommandersupdates.co.uk

2010 marks a very special double anniversary in British Jazz   Veteran clarinettist & tenor saxophonist Vic Ash will be celebrating both his 80th birthday & 60 years in the music business.  

To commemorate this special event, Vic & fellow tenor saxophonist Simon Spillett have teamed up to present a new quintet featuring pianist John Critchinson, bassist Alec Dankworth & drummer Martin Drew  

Vic Ash's career has seen him playing for twenty five years with Frank Sinatra, touring with Miles Davis & Dave Brubeck, recording with Tubby Hayes, John Dankworth, Clark Terry, Bob Brookmeyer & Tony Bennett & many. many more, as well as twenty years in the BBC Big Band.  

Simon Spillett has a unique connection to Vic, having studied with him for two years prior to winning the BBC Jazz Award for Rising Star in 2007. He has recorded two best selling albums, 'Sienna Red' & 'Introducing' for Alan Barnes Woodville Records & has secured a solid reputation across the UK Club & Festival Circuit.  

The quintet's repertoire consists of jazz standards, including those associated with some of the many great performers Vic has worked with & adding a unique historical glimpse into his lengthy career, Vic will also add reminiscences & anecdotes.

For further information about Simon Spillett please visit www.simonspillett.com

The dynamic swing band, featuring the best of London's young swing jazz musicians – A great 9 piece jazz band!

Jivin' Miss Daisy play authentic arrangements from Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson and Charlie Barnet as well as arrangements specially written by bandleader Simon Thorpe. With musicians hot-foot from playing with acts like Jools Holland, Stacey Kent, Bryan Ferry and Ray Gelato's Giants, this really is an all-star band.

For further information about the band please visit
www.jivinmissdaisy.co.uk

From the USA Jeff Barnhart
From the UK Neville Dickie

Neville Dickie
Neville Dickie was born in County Durham, England on January 1 1937. His early years in music were spent in the northern working mens' clubs. After his National Service in the RAF, Neville left Durham & moved to London where he spent many years working for little money in pubs. His lucky break came when he was auditioned by the BBC & was spotted by Doreen Davies, then head of Radio 2. Hundreds of broadcasts followed. In 1969 he recorded The Robins Return which became an immediate hit. Neville remains one of the few British Jazz pianists to have had a record in the Hit Parade. He continued with his recording career under the watchful eye of his recording manager Norman Newell, recording four LPs. In 1975 Neville recorded 'Back To Boogie' on the 'Music For Pleasure' label which went on to sell 100,000 copies & is still played all over the world today. After this recording Neville felt the need to go back to his roots & to the music he really loved - Jazz. To date he has recorded more than 20 CDs & is much in demand all over the world. He is regarded as one of the world’s finest exponents of Stride Piano.

For further information about Neville Dickie please visit
www.jazzpiano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

Jeff Barnhart
While Jeff Barnhart is now a highly regarded pianist, vocalist, arranger, bandleader, recording artist, composer, pedagogue & entertainer, he had very humble beginnings.  Jeff began his professional career at age 14 playing & entertaining four nights a week in a restaurant in his home state of Connecticut. Here he began to learn the classic swing, jazz & ragtime repertoire of the early 20th century.  Jeff put himself through college playing throughout New England including stints with one of his childhood influences, the Galvanized Jazz Band.  In the 1990’s he toured the US & Canada, playing most of the major festivals on the circuit with either the Hot Cat Jazz band or the Draga-Vax Connection. 

The 21st century has found Jeff constantly appearing as a soloist & band pianist at parties, festivals, clubs and cruises in all corners of the globe.  He currently manages the Titan Hot 7, one of the most acclaimed bands in the country.  In addition, he leads two bands in the UK:  the Fryer-Barnhart International Jazz Band, which concentrates on hot music of the 1920’s, & Jeff Barnhart’s British Band, which performs small group swing of the 30’s.  Due to his versatility, vast repertoire & vibrant energy, Jeff is in increasing demand as a participant in All-Star Jazz ensembles around the world. 

In addition to his widely acclaimed solo & band appearances, Jeff is enjoying great success performing with smaller groups, most notably Ivory&Gold™ a group he co-leads with his talented wife, flutist Anne Barnhart & Grammy-Award winning drummer, Danny Coots.  Ivory&Gold™ has become a mainstay at many jazz & ragtime festivals throughout the US & the UK.  In addition, Jeff plays & sings with clarinetist Bob Draga & drummer Danny Coots as part of the swing trio We Three, which is garnering praise from both audiences & critics at major festivals, concerts & parties.

For further information about Jeff Barnhart please visit
www.jeffbarnhart.com

in the Moldy Fig
8pm-11pm

with the John Pearce Trio

The late Mel Torme said, 'Since the advent of Benny Goodman, there have been too few clarinetists to fill the void that Goodman left. Ken Peplowski is most certainly one of those few. The man is magic.'

The New York Times pronounced 'not only is he an outstanding clarinetist & saxophone player, but he's also a charismatic entertainer who has been delighting audiences for over 30 years with his warmth, wit, & musicianship.'

'When you grow up in Cleveland, Ohio, playing in a Polish polka band, you learn to think fast on your feet', says Peplowski, who played his first pro engagement when he was still in elementary school. 'From my first
time performing in public, I knew I wanted to play music for a living.'

Ken & his trumpet-playing brother Ted, made many local radio & TV appearances & played for Polish dances & weddings virtually every weekend all through high-school. By the time Ken was in his early teens, he was experimenting with jazz by playing in the school "stage" bands, & also by jamming with many of the local jazz musicians.

After a year of college, Ken joined the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the direction of Buddy Morrow. 'Buddy heard me with my quartet at a Cleveland jazz festival along with Teddy Wilson's trio & the Dorsey band, & made an offer right then & there for me to not only play lead alto, but to have a feature spot on the clarinet with the rhythm section. It was a great
'road-school' - we learned the discipline that goes with playing
one-nighters every day for 48 weeks out of the year, & Buddy was a great, very generous bandleader."

Peplowski met Sonny Stitt while on the road with the Dorsey band, & studied with him. "He was, & is, an inspiration to all of of us who make a living 'on the road' - I've never heard anybody play with such amazing consistency as Sonny, through all kinds of settings."

In 1980, Ken moved to New York City & was soon playing in all kinds of settings, from Dixieland to avant-garde jazz. In 1984, Benny Goodman
came out of retirement & put together a new band, hiring Ken on
tenor saxophone.

Peplowski signed with Concord Records, under the tutelage of Carl Jefferson, the founder & president, & recorded close to 20 albums as a leader, including "The Natural Touch" in 1992 which won Best Jazz Record of the Year by the Prises Deutschen Schallplatten Kritiken, & "The Other Portrait", recorded in Sophia Bulgaria with the symphony orchestra & highlighting Ken's classical side. His last two records were "Lost In The Stars" & "Easy To Remember" (on Nagel Heyer Records), the latter of which features Bobby Short on his last recording.

The litany of musicians Ken has collaborated includes:
Mel Torme, Leon Redbone, Charlie Byrd, Peggy Lee, George Shearing,
Madonna, Hank Jones, Dave Frishberg, Rosemary Clooney, Tom Harrell,
Woody Allen & Erich Kunzel.

'Ken Peplowski is one of those fine young Americans who are currently setting so much of the pace in all that's good in jazz.'
Jazz Journal International,

For further information about Ken Peplowski please visit
www.kenpeplowski.com

Alan Barnes
1977-80 Alan studied saxophone, woodwinds & arranging at the Leeds College of Music.In 1980 he moved to London, playing with the Midnight Follies Orchestra & the following year was with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra, touring Europe until 1983. In that year he left to join the hard bop band of Tommy Chase where he attracted considerable attention on the UK jazz scene for the first time.

He left Chase in 1986 to co-lead The Jazz Renegades with rock drummer Steve White travelling as far afield as Japan & recording four well received albums. In 1988 Alan was asked to fill the chair recently vacated by Bruce Turner in the Humphrey Lyttleton band where he stayed until 1992. 1987-97 he also found time to lead the Pizza Express Modern Jazz Sextet with Gerard Prescencer & Dave O'Higgins. Since leaving the Lyttleton band, Alan has concentrated on his freelance career.

Alan has enjoyed a prolific career as a sideman, playing & recording for many bands. He broadcast regularly over a ten-year period with the BBC Big Band & Radio Orchestra & has toured & recorded with big band leaders, Dick Walter, Kenny Baker, Bob Wilber, Don Weller, Stan Tracey & John Dankworth. Other bands he has toured & recorded with include the Tina May Trio, Bill LeSage's Genetically Modified Quintet, Spike Robinson's Tenor Madness, Clare Teal, & a sextet with Don Weller playing the music of Cannonball Adderley. Alan has also toured the UK with Freddie Hubbard. Alan has long associations with pianist David Newton, going back to their college days, & with blistering be-bop trumpeter Bruce Adams, with whom he has co-led a quintet since the early nineties.

Alan has been featured on many jazz recordings from his first record date as co-leader in 1985 with Tommy Whittle and as leader of his own quartet in 1987 right up to recent record dates with Scott Hamilton, Warren Vache and Harry Allen. Alan has performed as a member of Clark Tracey's "Tribute to Art Blakey" & was featured on the David Newton/Clark Tracey recording Bootleg Eric. He has also appeared as a session musician on albums by Selina Jones, Bjork, Van Morrison, Bryan Ferry, Clare Teal, Jamie Cullum & Westlife & can also be found on film & television soundtracks including "Chicago" & jingles such as the Tetley Bitter series of adverts featuring his solo baritone. Alan has appeared regularly as a member of the Laurie Holloway orchestra on television's Michael Parkinson show & Strictly Come Dancing.

In 1999 Alan toured America & Europe with Bryan Ferry's band, returning to the USA. In early 2000 to record and tour with Warren Vache's 11 piece band - a project for which he had written most of the arrangements. He returned to Kansas City in 2001 to perform as a guest soloist at the Topeka jazz Festival. That November he featured on Baritone & clarinet at the Blue Note Clubs in New York & Tokyo with the Charlie Watts Tentet.

Over the years Alan has won many British Jazz awards in alto, baritone, clarinet & arranging categories. In 2001 & 2006 Alan received the prestigious BBC Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year award & in November 2003 was made a fellow of the Leeds College of Music. 2003 also saw the inception of Alan's own record label Woodville Records.

Latest projects include a clarinet led trio with Jim Hart on vibes & Paul Clavis on drums & an all star octet playing the music of Duke Ellington.

For further information about Alan Barnes please visit www.alanbarnesjazz.com

Daughter of the legendary jazz musician & composer Sir John Dankworth & International singing star Dame Cleo Laine, Jacqui Dankworth was brought up either on the road or by a succession of Spanish nannies. To Jacqui the positives of the entertainment world attracted more than the negatives repelled. There was never any question that she wouldn’t follow her parents into show business . The only surprise was into which area she choose to go.

Jacqui Dankworth’s first forays onto the stage were as an actress, & a successful one at that. For many years Jacqui worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre & John Dexter's Company playing a multitude of critically acclaimed roles. Soon the plays turned into musicals & before long Jacqui was playing leading parts in the West End. But the singing bug had hit, & Jacqui left the lights of the London stage to focus on her own recording career.

The first thing Jacqui did was tour with brother Alec Dankworth's quintet, visiting Hawaii, Hong Kong & Indonesia. Jacqui then appeared as everything but the soldier in a staged performance of Stravinsky's “The Soldier's Tale” at the Purcell Room, London, & worked with award winning jazz composer/saxophonist Tim Garland on a song cycle - ‘Songs Of Love And Liberty’, alongside singers Norma Winstone & Christine Tobin. In early 1998 Jacqui was invited to be the guest vocalist on a major world tour with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

Occasionally time allowed her to venture into the studio to record - her first work being a newly commissioned jazz reworking of A. E. Housman poetry, as a guest artist with the New Perspectives Ensemble. The album was voted Record of the Year in The Times.

By 1999 her reputation was spreading & Jacqui was asked to perform new arrangements of Gershwin classics with the BBC Big Band at The Barbican, London & Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Her next audio project was with the group “Field of Blue”. A simple acoustic band performing mostly original compositions. “Field Of Blue” toured extensively around the UK & Europe raising Jacqui’s profile as a major singing talent. Field of Blue recorded two albums, an eponymous CD in 1999 & the second, “Still” which was released in 2000, both to wide acclaim.

Reviews were positive once again for the 2001 release with James Pearson, “For All We Know”, including, from the Sunday Times, ‘one of our finest singers regardless of category’. Jacqui happily appeared as a featured singer on Gerard Presencer's Linn album, The Optimist, & she recorded a track for the Nick Drake tribute album released on Hannibal Records as well as performing at the Barbican, London as part of the Nick Drake Tribute concert.

As a side project, Jacqui formed the three-part harmony group The Passion, with two other great singers Liane Carroll & Sara Colman. Their album “One Good Reason” released in 2002, featured the fabulous piano work of Liane Carroll & intricate & soulful three part vocal harmonies.

In 2003 Jacqui released her first major crossover album “As The Sun Shines Down On Me”. This album brought her to the attention of Michael Parkinson & Radio 2. With it’s mixture of contemporary songs, Jacqui’s own compositions & some beautifully re-arranged Standards this record set the path on which Jacqui has decided to follow, building up a very loyal fanbase. Jacqui was featured on Courtney Pine’s album ‘Devotion’ & performed alongside Courtney at the Royal Festival Hall, as part of the London Jazz Festival.

This new found attention brought her a guest appearance in the film ‘Shoreditch’, starring Joely Richardson & Shane Ritchie. Jacqui opens the feature with the opening shot singing the classic Billie Holiday number ‘My Man’ & later sings ‘Body & Soul’ as a featured track.

Jacqui followed the success of “As The Sun Shines Down On Me” with the 2004 release “Detour Ahead”. This only added further to her popularity & another UK tour confirmed Jacqui as “one of the finest singers of her generation”.  Touring around the World & appearing at special concerts with her parents gave Jacqui a break from recording for a couple of years, but in 2008 she announced a new management team, recording contract & band. The album is due for release in May 2009 & will be accompanied by a Theatre & Festival tour of Europe.

For further information about Jacqui Dankworth please visit
www.jacquidankworth.com

Cleo Laine, John Dankworth & friends

Jazz legends Dame Cleo Laine & Sir John Dankworth make their second appearance together at the club. Dame Cleo Laine is, to date, the only person to have received Grammy nominations in the jazz, popular & classical awards. On the occasion of Cleo's first jazz Grammy victory,
Ella Fitzgerald sent a bouquet of roses with a card saying "Congratulations, gal, it's about time!".
With a career that has spanned over 50 years as a performer, composer and conductor, John has combined musical eclecticism, humour & brilliance

For further information about Dame Cleo Laine & Sir John Dankworth please visit
www.quarternotes.com

with special guest Cuff Billett

Sammy Rimington is widely regarded as one of the world's leading exponents of classic style clarinet & saxophone. Over the past 46 years Sammy has made important contributions through his lively & inventive approach to jazz.

The New York Times states, “Sammy Rimington’s playing demonstrates the clarinet’s matchless range of funky virtuosity, which makes jazz’s past as real as its future.”

He is one of the most prolific recording artists in all of jazz, & can be heard on over 170 recordings. Sammy is legendary for creating fascinating & highly rhythmic solos full of great emotional depth. His broad repertoire is generally drawn from material popularized prior to the 1950’s & consists of a hot mix of pop tunes, swing music, spirituals, blues, stomps & rags. Performances have been described as sounding reminiscent of everything from a turn of the century Crescent City dance hall to a 50’s Greenwich Village jazz club… & much of what came in between!

British jazz trombonist Chris Barber celebrates his 60th year as a band leader in 2008-2009. Inspired by the King Oliver Creole Jazz Band, Chris formed his first Barber New Orleans Band in 1949 aged 19. In 1953 with Monty Sunshine & Lonnie Donegan he joined forces with Ken Colyer, then, with the replacement of Colyer by Pat Halcox, Ken Colyer's Jazz Band became Chris Barber Jazz Band in 1954 & has been Europe's most successful traditional jazz bands ever since.

Chris leads this 11-piece band, with its 7 strong front line, playing a wide selection of his favourite music: from his roots in New Orleans style in 'Bourbon Street Parade' (still his signature tune) & 'Chimes Blues' to the early music of Duke Ellington ('Black & Tan Fantasy' & 'Jubilee Stomp'), & Sidney Bechet ('Petite Fleur') on to the music of Bob Crosby ('Big Noise from Winnetka' & 'South Rampart St Parade') & further on to blues by Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee ('Cornbread, Peas & Black Molasses') to soul (Joe Zawinul's 'Mercy Mercy Mercy) & soulful blues like Miles Davis' 'All Blues'...... & probably back to "When the Saints'!

Over the years Chris Barber has influenced many of today's leading Jazz & Blues musicians... especially contemporary artists such as Mark Knopfler, Eric Burdon, John Mayall, The Stones, Eric Clapton & Van Morrison (with some of whose bands Chris has often been a featured guest). The Big Chris Barber Band combine all these ingredients into an evening of exciting & often moving Jazz & Blues music, great entertainment for all!

For further information about the Big Chris Barber Band please visit www.chrisbarber.net