Blas – Jazz In Malvern is riding high after the success of its first ever night of contemporary jazz at the beautiful Elmslie House following a stunning premier from the Michael Janisch Quintet, supported by Sundown Jazz Society – a night which provoked a standing ovation.
Now, the team is pulling out all the stops for the second gig in the series, on Wednesday, November 10th which will see the legend of the British jazz scene, Alan Barnes, take to the stage with his hand-picked rhythm section of Robin Aspland on piano, Simon Thorpe, bass and Alphonso Vitale on drums.
Barnes’ career, since leaving Humphrey Lyttelton’s Band, has seen him playing with many of the top American jazzmen, collecting over 30 British Jazz Awards in at least five categories and being twice nominated as BBC Jazz Musician of the year.
Not only is he a consummate musician, he laces his numbers with some quality quips in between. Critics have often remarked he could have had a career as a comedian.
Guardian jazz critic, John Fordham, said: “Barnes is a legend in that British jazz community that rarely gets to Ronnie Scott’s or the Barbican. The musician spends his life criss-crossing the country, endlessly reinventing the song-based lyricism and swing of Duke Ellington’s or Charlie Parker’s music. He’s one of the UK’s key figures keeping the non-metropolitan jazz scene alive, and in the work he does with regional youth bands, he’s a continuing inspiration to the next generation too.”
In keeping with Barnes’ promotion of young jazz players and Blas’s ethos to work with schools and colleges to encourage the next generation of jazz musicians, the audience can also look forward to some fresh and vibrant sounds from our support band, vocalist Gabriella Liandu and her trio.
Currently studying for a Masters degree at Birmingham Conservatoire, Gabriella’s artistry takes her far beyond the operatic stage. Her experience covers a wide range of genres with repertoire expanding through to Bossa Nova, Choral, Jazz and more. Check out this bright new talent on YouTube. She is guaranteed to light up the stage.
Dick Stockford, co-ordinator of Blas – Jazz In Malvern, said: “We had a fantastic first night at Elmslie House with Michael Janisch. It’s a beautiful and friendly venue, just a short walk from Great Malvern train station, with a bar stocked with local beers and wines. Our audience clearly loved the high quality musicianship we could bring them. Alan Barnes is a great favourite on the British jazz scene so we are urging you to book tickets early to avoid disappointment.”
