Winner of 24 British Jazz Awards Alan Barnes guests at Pangbourne this weekend
I’M getting great feedback from Newbury friends - some musicians themselves – who are taking the trip out for the monthly Pangbourne Jazz Club gigs re the quality of their guest players.
John L Walters said in The Guardian that Alan Barnes “plays music that was radical 50 years ago but he infuses it with so much passion and energy you could believe it was minted on the spot, which is always part of the story with jazz”.
And here’s your chance to see the renowned saxophonist and clarinettist for yourself at Pangbourne Jazz on Sunday.
He’ll be backed by the Pangbourne Jazz Club rhythm section of Jim Pollard (piano), Terry Hutchins (guitar), Mike Pratt (double bass) and Brian Greene (drums).
Alan is a much loved regular guest artist at Pangbourne, his range and brilliance have made him a ‘first call’ for studio and live work since his precocious arrival on the scene more than 30 years ago.
His recorded catalogue is immense. He has made more than 30 albums as leader and co-leader alone, and the list of his session and side-man work includes Bjork, Bryan Ferry, Michel LeGrande, Clare Teale, Westlife, Jools Holland and Jamie Cullum. He has toured and played residencies with such diverse and demanding figures as Ruby Braff, Freddie Hubbard, Scott Hamilton, Warren Vache, Ken Peplowski, Harry Allen and Conte Candoli.
In British jazz, the young Barnes was recognised – and hired – by the established greats of the time: Stan Tracy, John Dankworth, Kenny Baker, Bob Wilber and Humphrey Lyttelton.
But he is equally respected for his longstanding and fruitful collaborations with contemporaries such as David Newton, Bruce Adams, and Martin Taylor.
Alan Barnes’ singular musicianship, indefatigable touring, and warm rapport with audiences have made him uniquely popular in British jazz.
He has received more than 25 British Jazz Awards, most recently in 2014 for clarinet, and has twice been made BBC Jazz Musician of the Year.
Coming next to Pangbourne Jazz Club:
October 6: Vasilis Xenopoulos, saxophone
November 3: Lee Gibson, vocalist
November 17: Pete Roth Trio featuring Bill Bruford
December 1: Simon Spillett, saxophone
PJC is a monthly jazz club, founded by Keith Howard and Terry Hutchins in 2016. They have great guest artists from all over the UK, bringing the Best of the British Jazz scene on the first Sunday of each month. The club has a great atmosphere, great audience and great guests plus an inexpensive bar. Doors open at 7pm - go down and enjoy the company and the jazz.
Pangbourne Jazz Club is held at PWMC, Rosewood Hall, 1 Whitchurch Rd, Pangbourne, RG8 7BS. Visit https://www.pangbournejazzclub.com/ for more information about the club.
