Saturday 14 September 2002 – Acoustic Triangle

Pinner alumnus Malcolm Creese will be on bass. We have been privileged to welcome him on several previous occasions. John Horler will be on piano, easily one of our most distinctive soloists. They now play with tenor-saxophonist Tim Garland, who spends much of his time criss-crossing the Atlantic, flitting between his commitments here and regular tours with top US pianist Chick Corea.  This trio’s music is bound to be memorable.  By special request, their programme will concentrate on interpretations of songs by George Gershwin and other classic tunesmiths.

Saturday 26 October 2002 – Stacey Kent and her musicians 

The rise and rise of Stacey Kent is one of the wonders of our modern age. What’s her secret? Well, she sings the great American show songs with flair and feeling, while avoiding gimmickry or affectation. Happily for those who value such qualities, her records are best sellers here and in her native America.  Increasingly, Stacey and her husband, the tenor-saxophonist Jim Tomlinson whose wonderfully relaxed sounds add so much to her concerts, are in demand abroad.  It’s a delight for us to welcome Stacey and Jim back to Pinner, together with her other musicians. They are likely to include ace guitarist Colin Oxley and bassist Dave Chamberlain (subject to confirmation). You can be sure that that tickets will soon sell out for this Kent event, so please get your applications in early.

Saturday 23 November 2002 – The Matt Wates Sextet

We have been hoping to include this marvellous band in our programme for several seasons past.  Matt and his team appear at clubs and festivals all over the country and we’re gratified at long last that they’ve made it to Pinner.  The sextet were voted top small group in the 2001 British Jazz Awards, a richly deserved accolade and a tribute both to Matt’s compositions and to the fine individual skills of the Sextet’s members.  Aside from Matt himself, a star alto-saxophonist, the front-line includes quicksilver trumpeter Martin Shaw and versatile multi-instrumentalist Andy Panayi. The sextet is completed by Leon Greening on piano, the fine bassist Malcolm Creese (again!) and another Pinner favourite, drummer Steve Brown.  Theirs is swinging modern jazz, much in the West Coast manner.  Don’t hesitate.

Saturday 14 December 2002 - Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band

Acker Bilk is one of the genuine celebrities of British jazz, a veteran of the so-called ‘Trad Boom’ of the 1950s and a chart-topper with his haunting clarinet version of ‘Stranger On The Shore.’  The enduring appeal of his down home jazz style has kept Acker and the band constantly busy for the past four decades.  While the personnel of the Paramount Jazz Band may change from time to time, its musical intentions remain the same.  Theirs is music with a smile on its face, combining foot-tapping swing, cheery vocals, lively melodic expression and plenty of joyful creativity. A Pinner first, and not to be missed. A great way to get in the mood for Christmas.

Saturday 18 January 2003 – Scott Hamilton Quartet

What better way to open the New Year section of our programme than to welcome Scott Hamilton back to Pinner for another wonderful evening of mainstream jazz?  Scott is at the top of everyone’s list of favourites, a player who has kept the swing tenor concept alive and cooking, and a man never at a loss for creative inspiration. With a back catalogue of some 30 plus albums on the Concord label to his credit, Scott is in demand worldwide for clubs and festivals.  Here, as ever, his accompanists are of the highest calibre, with John Pearce on piano, Eastcote’s own Dave Green on bass and smiling Steve Brown back at the drums.

Saturday 22 February 2003 – Pete Long’s Bebop Quintet

If you’ve ever seen Pete Long fronting a band, you’ll know that his ebullient personality is complemented by a fierce concern for musical excellence.  These days, he’s a key member of Jools Holland’s popular rhythm & blues band playing tenor-saxophone while also leading ‘Gillespiana’, his superb big band devoted to the music of the late Dizzy Gillespie.  It’s the music of Gillespie and Charlie Parker that also provides the inspiration for his bebop quintet.  You’ll hear Pete taking on the Parker role on alto-saxophone alongside the dynamic young trumpeter Mark Armstrong who seeks to emulate Gillespie’s trumpet genius.    Come prepared to hear some of the best bebop around, and look out for Martin Litton on piano and that excellent bassist Jim Richardson.   

Thursday 27 March 2003 – Alan Barnes Quintet

Multiple poll-winner Alan Barnes is an all-time Pinner favourite.  With Alan leading on alto-saxophone, his new quintet features that fine young trumpeter, Steve Fishwick, recently selected as a Rising Star in the 2002 British Jazz Awards.  Alongside these two is the very popular pianist David Newton supported by his rhythm regulars, bassist Matt Miles and drummer Steve Brown.  Steve is here often enough to suggest that he ought to keep a spare set of drums in the vestry cupboard!  High levels of creativity, original compositions aplenty, an evening of timeless jazz – who could want for anything more?

Notes by Peter Vacher August 2002