Thursday, 21 September 2006 – STACEY KENT AND HER MUSICIANS

Vocalist Stacey Kent has carved out a significant niche for herself with her renditions of classic themes from the Great American Songbook.  Her precision, honeyed sound and pinpoint attack always score heavily with audiences here, as well as in Europe and the US. This third Pinner appearance for Stacey and her excellent band is bound to give our new season the best possible kick-off.

Saturday, 14 October 2006 – GEOFF EALES TRIO in ‘Piano Legends’

Geoff Eales is an enormously versatile pianist, with a Doctorate in Music, often heard as an accompanist to visiting singers like Marlene VerPlanck or as a star soloist with the BBC Big Band.  Happily for us at Pinner, he’s at his absolute best helming his trio, free to extemporise in exciting fashion, bolstered by the sure-footed swing of bassist Roy Babbington and drummer Mark Fletcher.  Recently the trio has been performing a tribute to the late pianist Bill Evans, one of the most influential of modern jazz keyboard stylists.  Doubtless Geoff will again invoke Evans’s memory and that of other piano greats too, but most of all he’ll stun us with his own creativity.  Don’t miss him!

Saturday, 11 November 2006 – CLEO LAINE, JOHN DANKWORTH AND FRIENDS

What is there to say about Cleo Laine and John Dankworth that’s not been said many times before?  Our music’s upper crust, (the New York Times described them as ‘The First Couple of British Jazz’), they’re lionised throughout America and known worldwide as banner-carriers for the best in jazz.  And yes, they’re here in Pinner Church together, for the first time.  Dame Cleo’s vocal style, utterly irresistible and wholly personal, is paralleled by the new knight’s fervent alto saxophone performances.  Their Friends comprise four of the finest British jazz musicians, in trombonist Mark Nightingale, pianist John Horler, Allan Ganley on drums and bassist Alec Dankworth.   An outstanding package!

Saturday, 16 December 2006 – PHIL MASON’S NEW ORLEANS ALL-STARS

Now here’s a contrast.  Recognising the continued validity and sheer exuberance of old-time traditional jazz, we’re presenting Phil Mason’s fine band for the first time at Pinner.  Led by Mason on cornet, with vocals by Christine Tyrell, the band includes an old chum, trombonist Mickey Cooke, formerly with Alex Welsh and Acker Bilk, clarinettist Roger Myerscough, Jim McIntosh (banjo), bassist Trevor Williams and the redoubtable Laurie Chescoe on drums.  They bill themselves as ‘Europe’s Hottest Jazz Band’ and that’s not a reference to global warming but rather an accurate description of the great jazz they play.  Mason’s ‘forthright revivalism’ has kept his band successfully on the road throughout Europe for years.  The ideal way to start your holiday celebrations….

Saturday, 13 January 2007 – SCOTT HAMILTON QUARTET

Scott’s brand of mainstream tenor-saxophone is one of the enduring joys of jazz.  His warm sound, fluency and creative alacrity have made him one of the most popular soloists on the scene today.  With over 50 Concorde albums to his credit, Scott’s relish for performance is undimmed, the accent always on swing, his extemporisations combining structural flair with satisfying development.  Each of his concert appearances is like an object lesson in mainstream jazz values, reinforced here by the tasteful John Pearce on piano, with two Pinner regulars, bassist Dave Green and drummer Steve Brown completing the group.

Saturday, 17 February 2007 - OSIAN ROBERTS – STEVE FISHWICK QUINTET

When tenor-saxophonist Roberts and trumpeter Fishwick encountered each other on the Royal Academy jazz course, they found they liked the same kind of music and formed this band to play it.  Broadly put, they seek to replicate the fast-moving hard bop style as heard on all those classic 1960s Blue Note albums.  Fishwick, already hailed as one of the most inventive trumpet players of the day, is partnered by Roberts, another young player who knows how to light some memorable jazz fires.  Look out, too, for French pianist Olivier Slama, plus the swinging support of bassist Dave Chamberlain and drummer Matt Home.

Saturday, 17 March 2006 – HUMPHREY LYTTELTON AND HIS BAND

It’s all too easy to describe established visiting stars as ‘legendary’ but that’s the only proper description for Humph.  A bandleader for over 50 years, an accomplished composer and performer, proprietor of his own record label, broadcaster and compere, Humph is still one of our most inspiring trumpeters, at his best in the ordered surrounds of his splendid band.  He lines up, as ever, with saxophonists Karen Sharp and Jimmy Hastings, trombonist Ray Wordsworth, Ted Beament, piano, John Rees-Jones, bass, and drummer Adrian Macintosh.  Be prepared, too, for some witty asides from Humph, but most of all, for some fine mainstream jazz.

Saturday, 21 April 2007 – JIVIN’ MISS DAISY

The jokey band name conceals an entertaining 8-piece combo, led by bassist Simon Thorpe and dedicated to putting a smile on every face.  What do they offer? Toe-tapping arrangements, vigorous solos, cheerful vocals from Lizzie Scott, a happy fusion of jumping r&b and Basie-style small group swing.  Pulled off with panache, this is music to lift the spirits – a good augury for summer delights to come.  Soloists to note include the inspirational pianist James Pearson, the always-lively Alex Garnett on tenor, Malcolm Earle Smith on trombone and that fine guitarist Colin Oxley.

Programme Notes by Peter Vacher - June 2006