Saturday, 26 Sept 2009 - KEN PEPLOWSKI AND ALAN BARNES QUINTET Click for Action Picture

Alan’s is always among the first names to be pencilled in for a Pinner concert.  He’s ebullient, witty, and above all, a popular jazz musician of huge distinction.  He’s also something of a recording entrepreneur these days; his Woodville label is now one of the best in Britain.   Alan’s latest US collaborator on record is Cleveland-born tenor-saxophonist and clarinettist Ken Peplowski and it’s their partnership that we’re replicating tonight.  Ken appeared here previously with the mercurial guitarist Marty Grosz and is a regular poll-winner whose clarinet work has been described as ‘ambitious and fascinating’.  Pianist John Pearce and our local bassist chum, Dave Green, are joined by drummer Martin Drew in the all-star rhythm section.

Saturday, 7 November 2009 - VIC ASH–SIMON SPILLET QUINTET Click for Action Picture

It’s tempting to describe the co-leaders as like ‘father-and-son’, musically, at least.  The youthful tenor-saxophonist Simon Spillett who likes the whirlwind improvising style of the late Tubby Hayes, studied with Vic Ash, the amiable veteran who joins him tonight.  As Simon says, ‘Vic taught me all I know – sadly, he didn’t teach me all he knows’.  Vic, a perennial winner of the jazz clarinet poll in the days of the ‘Melody Maker’, has led his own modern jazz groups for years, while also travelling the world as an orchestral player with Frank Sinatra.  Most recently a key member of the BBC Big Band, Vic and his warm-sounding tenor sit well with Simon’s more breezy style.  Wembley resident  Martin Drew re-appears on drums alongside bassist Alec Dankworth and the brilliant pianist John Critchinson.

Saturday, 5 December 2009 - ‘PINNER’S TRIBUTE TO HUMPH’ the HUMPHREY LYTTELTON BAND with GUEST VOCALIST TINA MAY Click for Action Picture 1 or Click for Action Picture 2

Humph’s past visits to Pinner provided us with some of our most rewarding concert occasions.  It’s hard to accept that he’s gone – life just isn’t the same without him.  Happily, his band continues to perform, this time with the remarkable Sue Richardson on trumpet, reviving a number of Humph’s own compositions.   Jazz diva Tina May, a frequent guest of the band, joins them again tonight.  Always engaging, Tina’s flawless control and honeyed sound make her performances a blissful jazz experience.  Band members Jimmy Hastings, Robert Fowler (reeds), Ray Wordsworth (trombone); Ted Beament (piano); John Rees-Jones (bass) and drummer Adrian Mackintosh are old Pinner friends and will help us remember this great man in proper fashion.

What is there new to say about Pinner crowd-pleaser Scott Hamilton?  His ballad brilliance and perfect command of the swing tenor-saxophone style have made him a world-wide favourite and our seasons wouldn’t be complete without him.  Add in the talents of that dynamic trumpeter, Enrico Tomasso, and you have an unbeatable package. The two front-liners are accompanied by Scott’s regular team of pianist John Pearce (again!), bassist Dave Green (again!) and Steve Brown on drums.  Premiership jazz, for sure.

Saturday, 13 February 2010 - JOHN DANKWORTH QUINTET with CLEO LAINE Click for Action Pic

To read a Valediction to Sir John Dankworth, please click here.

The highlight of the twelfth season was undoubtedly our evening with Cleo Laine on 13^th February, when she took the courageous decision that the show must go on.  It is an occasion that all of us who were privileged to be there will always remember.  Our advance description of it was as follows:

STOP PRESS: We are very sad at the death of Sir John Dankworth last Saturday, 6th February. Nevertheless, Dame Cleo Laine wishes to go ahead in leading our concert on Saturday, with Mark Nightingale on trombone, John Horler on piano, Alec Dankworth on bass and Jim Hart on drums.  We look forward to being there to show our love for Dame Cleo, and to celebrate the life and work of Sir John.

That most courtly of jazz knights, Sir John Dankworth, makes a welcome return to Pinner with his regular quintet of Mark Nightingale on trombone, pianist John Horler, bassist son Alec Dankworth (again!) with newcomer Jim Hart on drums.  The senior Dankworth embodies much of the story of British modern jazz in his playing and compositional longevity – age aside, he still loves to perform and was described recently as a ‘jazz workaholic’.  It’s a pleasure to see him back with us and to have the opportunity to listen again to his splendid fellow-musicians and to wonder at their exceptional creativity.

Saturday, 13 March 2010 - GEOFF EALES TRIO Click for Action Picture

Geoff is a gifted pianist and composer whose new trio is presently taking the jazz world by storm.  His original compositions, some reflecting Geoff’s Celtic heritage, are both moving and hugely rewarding.   With the superb bassist Chris Laurence and drummer Martin France as his companions, Geoff has found his true jazz pathway, his keyboard dash and extrovert style winning applause everywhere.  A little bird told us – well, Geoff actually – that tonight’s concert coincides with his birthday.  Join us to help him make it a memorable one.

Saturday, 17 April 2010 - KAREN SHARP QUINTET Click for Action Picture

Our concluding concert  presents a fine new band, headed by Humph alumnus Karen Sharp.  Karen impressed everyone with her gutsy tenor saxophone and booting baritone sound when she appeared at Pinner with Humph.  She’s joined tonight by trombonist Adrian Fry, her regular front-line companion and a fine soloist in his own right.  Adrian, a prolific arranger and composer, pops up in many situations (he’s appeared for us with the Frank Griffith Nonet recently) and is rapidly developing a distinctive style of his own.   Their pianist is Richard Busiakiewicz, whose fast-fingered approach helped to make Bob Wilber’s concert such a joy, and it’s Dave Green on bass with John Perry on drums.  Music to put a touch of spring into your step.

Programme Notes by Peter Vacher, July 2009

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