Jazz
is suddenly back in fashion, but did it ever really go away? Well
actually no, and it won't, when there are such fabulous jazz
attractions as:
BRUCE ADAMS/ALAN BARNES QUINTET
The secret of the success of the Bruce Adams/Alan Barnes Quintet is
simple - impeccable musicianship, creative excellence and an absolute
understanding of the jazz tradition of which they are part. An
outstanding partnership, Adams and Barnes are constant inspiration to
each other and are complemented by a dream rhythm team of the country’s
most sought-after musicians.
ROY FORBES
Roy is widely considered to be the hottest new male jazz vocalist on
the scene. A dynamic and exciting singer, he is regularly one of the
hits of the Birmingham International Jazz Festival. He first came to
the public’s attention with the Andy Hamilton Band and has performed
with such greats as Harry Edison, Benny Waters, Larry Coryell and David
Murray.
‘ What makes Roy so great is that he’s a risk taker, in the same way
that all jazz musicians take chances when they embark on an improvised
solo.’ - Jonathan Abbott
GUEST SOLOISTS:
ALAN BARNES
One of the most certain things about Alan Barnes is that, whenever you
think you have got his abilities and achievements sorted, he manages to
surprise you. His instrumental range is as impressive as his
virtuosity: long established as a major force on alto sax and clarinet,
he then began to astonish us with his baritone sax playing, as well as
bringing out tenor and bass clarinet for more occasional delights. Then
came the various suites and compositions such as the 2000 Birmingham
International Jazz Festival feature, Swinging Down Broad Street. He has
become accustomed to sweeping British Jazz Awards in some half-dozen
different fields, his recorded output is prolific and he is constantly
on the road.
VAL WISEMAN
A remarkable jazz singer, Val Wiseman continues to tour extensively
with Lady Sings The Blues and Drummin' Man featuring in concerts,
festivals, television and radio broadcasts throughout the UK and Europe
as well as performing solo with her own band. Her main influences
(Billie Holiday, Anita O'Day, Peggy Lee) can be detected in her very
individual style, certainly one of the best two or three jazz singers
this country has produced.
DIGBY FAIRWEATHER
One of Britain's best jazz trumpeters and bandleaders. Born in Essex in
1946, Digby has had a career in jazz of remarkable versatility as well
as major success. His musical career is notable for unexpected variety
as well as achievement. His 1993 British Jazz Award for Services to
Jazz was self-evidently well deserved. As an archivist, as a
broadcaster and as a writer his achievements are notable. He is best
known on the writing front for his Rough Guide To Jazz and this year
has seen the publication of an honest and entertaining autobiography.
Digby’s main service to jazz, though, is as a trumpeter of imagination,
accomplishment and unbounded enthusiasm.
ALEX GARNETT
One of the most in-demand of UK session players, saxophonist Alex
Garnett is perhaps best known on the jazz scene for his superb work
with Ray Gelato’s Giants, but can equally well be found in settings
that range from Jools Holland to Van Morrison. The list of
international stars Alex has worked with covers the fields of the best
of blues and popular music, with Paul Weller, Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson
and Albert King a fair sample.
JONNY BOSTON
An accomplished and versatile reedman, Jonny has impressed fans in a
variety of settings in the years since he graduated from Leeds College
of Music. Co-leader of the Boston Tea Party, sometime Biscuit Boy,
always a rewarding soloist in his own right.
ROY WILLIAMS
What jazz festival would be complete without the stylish and swinging
contribution of Roy Williams, generally recognised as British jazz’s
finest trombonist over the last couple of decades? Roy’s multiple
British jazz awards, his extended stints in such great British bands as
Alex Welsh and Humphrey Lyttelton, his almost inevitable involvement in
all-star line-ups like Lady Sings The Blues and the Pizza Express All
Stars - these are always cited, but it’s also worth remembering that
Roy has an enviable reputation internationally. He played in New York
with Bobby Rosengarden’s band and has toured with the bands of Peanuts
Hucko and Bob Wilber - and, perhaps most appropriately, with the
World’s Greatest Jazz Band.
BRUCE ADAMS
Bruce Adams is one of those jazzmen whose presence is a guarantee of
exciting, highly personal performances in whatever setting he finds
himself: whether as part of a hand-picked line-up for some special
project or as a soloist galvanising band and audience alike. Bruce’s
career, from Opportunity Knocks to British Jazz Awards via stage shows,
work with jazz greats like Benny Carter and Dick Hyman and his
productive professional association with Alan Barnes, has been well
enough charted by now.
MIKE BURNEY
Mike Burney is one of the great undiscovered gems in British jazz.
Always overlooked, almost certainly due to his insistence on staying in
his native Birmingham, he is one of our greatest tenor saxophone
players. Big toned, highly-accomplished, imaginative and very
competitive, he has taken on and whipped many of the top international
players of our times who were rash enough to lock horns with Mike
Burney while visiting his city.