Saturday 15 October 2005 – CAMPBELL BURNAP QUINTET with Special Guest DANNY MOSS

Trombonist/broadcaster and all-round good egg Campbell Burnap is no stranger to Pinner and we’re delighted to have him back.  Besides his regular front-line companion, saxophonist/clarinettist Ron Drake, Campbell’s line-up includes that exuberant pianist John Critchinson, formerly with Ronnie Scott. Add in John Rees-Jones on bass and drummer Richie Bryant and this is clearly a band to savour.  As if that wasn’t enough, we’re thrilled to present a first visit from the great tenor-saxophonist Danny Moss OBE. Danny, who now lives in Australia, has had a glittering career and is world-renowned for his big-toned tenor-saxophone style.  A must!

Saturday 5 November 2005 – CRAIG MILVERTON BAND - ‘From Benny To Buddy’.

The eagle-eyed among you will have worked out that Benny is Benny Goodman and Buddy is Buddy DeFranco so naturally, Craig and his team will be paying proper homage to these clarinet masters.  Carrying the banner will be Mark Crooks and Julian Marc Stringle, two of our very finest clarinettists, with Anthony Kerr assisting on vibes and Craig on piano, backed by the premier rhythm team of bassist Dave Green and drummer Steve Brown. 

Saturday 3 December 2005 – ELAINE DELMAR and the Brian Dee Quartet featuring guitarist Jim Mullen

And not before time, we hear you cry?  Amid the plethora of young female vocalists who fill the airwaves purporting to be jazz singers, it’s all too easy to overlook established stars like Elaine Delmar.  She’s a class act, as they say, with a fine pedigree encompassing stage musicals and top-class club gigs.   Always busy on the international circuit, Elaine has shoehorned this rare concert appearance into her crowded schedule. Pianist Brian Dee is her Musical Director with special guest Jim Mullen alongside, plus bassist Simon Thorpe and drummer Chris Dagley. 

Saturday 7 January 2006 – CLARK TRACEY QUINTET

Clark’s new quintet has been garnering great reviews at club and festival gigs for the past year or so.  Their mix of original and standard themes provides a basis for some stirring improvisations, modern in the best way, and always rewarding. In the quintet are Mark Armstrong on trumpet (remember him from the Pete Long Bebop Quintet?), Simon Allen, saxophones, Zoe Rahman, piano, bassist Peter Billington plus of course, Clark on drums.

Saturday 25 February 2006 – ALAN BARNES QUINTET

How could we present a Pinner season without including Alan Barnes?  This time round, it’s Alan’s new touring quintet performing the Horace Silver repertoire. Their recording ‘Yeah!’ on the Proper label is a match-winner but then with personnel like this what else would you expect.  Alan leads on alto and baritone, with the superlative trumpeter Steve Waterman, pianist John Donaldson and those colour-sergeants of rhythm, Dave Green and smiling Steve Brown.

Saturday 25 March 2006 – DON WELLER – ART THEMEN QUINTET

What a value-for-money way to end the season!  Two of our greatest tenor-saxophonists on a single bill.  Both are known for their adventurous spirit and zest to perform.  Expect a series of exciting tenor jousts, some lovely ballad playing and plenty of solid, swinging jazz.  John Donaldson returns on piano, with Andy Cleyndert, bass, and drummer Dave Barry for support.

Programme notes by Peter Vacher August 2005