Alan Barnes

British jazz legend Alan Barnes needs little introduction. A prolific international performer, composer, arranger, bandleader and touring soloist, he is best known for his work on clarinet, alto and baritone sax, where he combines a formidable virtuosity with a musical expression and collaborative spirit that have few peers. His range and brilliance have made him a ‘first call’ for studio and live work since his precocious arrival on the scene more than thirty years ago. His recorded catalogue is immense: he has made over thirty albums as leader and co-leader alone, and his unique musicianship, indefatigable touring, and warm rapport with audiences have made him uniquely popular in British jazz. He has received over 25 British Jazz Awards, and has twice been made BBC Jazz Musician of the Year.

In 1959, the year of Alan’s birth, Art Pepper recorded a classic called Art Pepper+11 with arrangements by Marty Paice and featuring Art Pepper as the main soloist throughout. With this in mind, for his birthday this year, Alan commissioned Mark Nightingale to write 13 charts for 12 piece big band of tunes written in 1959, including Boogie Stop Shuffle (Mingus), Naima (Coltrane), Blowin’ the Blues Away (Silver), Dreamsville (Mancini), As Catch Can (Mulligan) Little Rootie Tootie (Monk), Single Petal of a Rose (Ellington) and A Felicidade (Jobim).

With a lineup that features some of the top names in British Jazz, this band needs to be heard to be believed! Alan himself features on alto and baritone saxes, clarinet and bass clarinet and the band also features:

Pat White – trumpet, James Copus – trumpet/flugel horn,
Howard McGill – alto sax/clarinet, Mark Nightingale – trombone and director, Gordon Campbell – trombone, Robert Fowler – tenor sax/clarinet/bass clarinet, Andy Panayi – tenor sax/clarinet/flute, Mick Foster – baritone sax/bass clarinet, Robin Aspland – piano, Sam Burgess – bass, Matt Skelton – drums

Ticket includes a seasonal glass of bubbly and a mince pie.