Saturday 18 September 2004 - HUMPHREY LYTTELTON AND HIS BAND

Here's a very welcome return from a legend of British jazz.  Humph excels in so many roles, as trumpeter, bandleader or composer, and as compere and humourist, too.  Happily for us, all these gifts will be on display at Pinner.  As for the band, well, in the words of the old song, some changes have been made.  In the wake of Kathy Stobart's retirement, tenor-saxophonist Karen Sharp, a bright new talent, is now in the front line, as is trombonist Ray Wordsworth, who will be deputising for Pete Strange, sidelined by illness. Karen's husband John Day will be on bass. Add to these the enduring skills of saxophonist Jimmy Hastings, pianist Ted Beament, drummer Adrian MacIntosh and, of course, Humph himself, and you have a rich and potent brew.

Saturday 9 October 2004 – HOWARD ALDEN QUARTET

Making his Pinner debut, Howard Alden is the premier mainstream guitarist of our times, a formidable improviser who has worked with every great name in latter-day jazz.  Originally from California, he is technically flawless and swings hard in any company, as his many British fans can attest.  He’s partnered tonight by an equally adroit soloist, guitarist Dave Cliff, their interplay likely to be of surpassing quality, aided by the firm lines of bassist Simon Woolf and the impactive drums of Pinner favourite Steve Brown.

Saturday 6 November 2004 – TINA MAY QUINTET

Tina May last came to Pinner as one of Barbara Jay’s Ladies of Jazz.  Since then she has concentrated on her solo vocal career, and has entranced audiences here and on the Continent with her ‘dramatic and relaxed delivery’ in the words of one pundit.  Look out, too for her support team with the assertive alto of Alan Barnes complemented by the keyboard subtlety of Nikki Iles, lately a tutor at the Leeds College of Music.  Alec Dankworth returns on bass and the drummer is Tristan Maillot.

Saturday 11 December 2004 – DAVE NEWTON TRIO

Public demand rules OK!  Yes, Dave Newton is back.  As many of you will know, Dave enjoys a very active touring schedule as part of singer Stacy Kent’s musical entourage and now makes fewer appearances under his own steam.  So we’re especially delighted to have pinned him down for this trio concert.  Easily one of the most rewarding pianists around, Dave has a fine new CD out on his own Bright New Day label and may well try to sell you a copy!   His creativity and keen ear for harmonic adventure are served by a powerful sense of swing, this much enhanced by bassist Matt Miles and drummer Matt Skelton.

Saturday 22 January 2005 – SCOTT HAMILTON QUINTET

The first name we ink in for each new programme is Scott Hamilton. No discussion is needed. This splendid US tenor-saxophonist is a crowd-pleaser, endlessly inventive, assured and hard-swinging, able (and willing) to unfurl chorus after chorus of satisfying jazz.  Scott lives half the time in London now and he’s a familiar presence at our festivals and clubs.  This time round, he’s partnered by trombonist Mark Nightingale (so impressive last time with John Dankworth’s quintet) and the old-hand team of pianist John Pearce, bassist Dave Green and smiling Steve Brown on drums.  A great way to kick-off the New (jazz) Year.

Saturday 12 February 2005 – PAT CRUMLY QUARTET

Another Pinner debutant, saxophonist and flute player Pat Crumly has been an important contributor to the British modern scene for a number of years.  He’s a lyrical ballad player, potent on up-tempo things and a funky man for the blues.  Pat is a mainstay at Ronnie Scott’s with his quartet, which tonight comprises the highly creative pianist Nick Weldon (son of novelist Fay), the American bassist Tim Wells, a UK resident these days, and vibrant drummer Mark Fletcher.  Check them out for fine, straight-ahead jazz.

Saturday 12 March 2005 – PIZZA EXPRESS ALLSTARS

No, it’s not a takeover for the refreshment concession, more a group of top UK instrumentalists so-named because they have been the mainstream house band at the Pizza Express jazz club in Dean Street, Soho, for the past two decades.  Now led by the distinguished tenor-saxophonist Tommy Whittle, this bunch of jazz pros includes Enrico Tomasso on trumpet (remember him at Pinner with Acker Bilk?), the mellifluous clarinet of Julian Marc Stringle, trombone star Roy Williams, pianist Martin Litton, bassist Len Skeat and the ageless Allan Ganley on drums.  Add in the delightful vocal expertise of Barbara Jay and you could hardly think of a finer way to end another action-packed Pinner season. 

Programme Notes by Peter Vacher July 2004