THE man described as possibly the greatest British jazz musician is to play a gig in Coventry.
Alan Barnes will appear at the Corner Pocket Jazz and Blues Club on Tuesday when he will perform the music of the king of swing Benny Goodman and his quartet.
The multi award-winning saxophonist, clarinetist, flautist and composer has toured the world during a career that has spanned five decades.
He picked up a clarinet aged just 12-years-old and a saxophone three years later, and eventually found acclaim on the UK jazz scene in the 1980s as a member of the hard bop band of Tommy Chase later earning an invite to join Humphrey Lyttelton’s band.
A ten-year performing stint with the BBC Big Band, Radio Orchestra and Concert Orchestra followed as did tours with big band leaders such as Dick Walter, Kenny Baker and Don Weller.
Alan has appeared on albums by the likes of Bjork, Van Morrison, Westlife and Jamie Cullum, and was a member of the Laurie Holloway Orchestra on TV’s popular Michael Parkinson Show.
And after being made a fellow in 2003 of the Leeds College of Music, where he studied, he set up his own record label Woodville Records, and since then has produced over 38 CDs.
But he still performs and recently featured on the Bryan Ferry Jazz Age album and the Great Gatsby soundtrack, and is currently touring with Ferry.
Graham Paine, from Corner Pocket, said: “Alan Barnes is in many people’s eyes this country’s greatest jazz musician. Famed for the quality of his saxophone playing he is also a sublimely talented clarinetist and that will be the focus of his gig at the Corner Pocket Jazz and Blues Club.
“This is only the second time we have been able to secure Alan Barnes in our ten years of existence.”
Joining him on stage at the CSFPA Club on Fleet Street will be Paul Sawtell on vibraphone, Roger Heeley on keyboards and Natasha Buxton on drums. Tickets cost £6 and doors open at 7.30pm.
