“As difficult as this music may be to play it is incredibly easy to listen to.”
The glittering A list of some of London’s busiest professional Jazz musicians are coming together on Patchworks stage to present the groovy works of the amazing James Pearson and Oliver Nelson.
Together they are consistently attributed to being two of the most significant Jazz voices of their generation. Their gifted lives were cut short tragically early but not before they had left a wealth of compositions and arrangements, many of which remain an integral part of the jazz songbook library and will be celebrated.
James Pearson 1932-1980
Born in Atlantis Georgia was a talented pianist and reed player. His discography includes working with Cannonball Adderley, Art Farmer, Benny Goldson, Nancy Wilson, Chick Corea, Carmen MacRae and Thad Jones. He became an A&R man for Blue Note. He wrote numerous arrangements and composed great songs like ‘Jeannine’.
He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the 1970s and passed away in 1980 leaving an amazing catalogue of compositions and arrangements still revered today by our finest musicians and educators.
Oliver Nelson 1923-1975
“Perhaps the skill he mastered most keenly was his ability to turn listeners on.”
Oliver Edward Nelson was a prolific American Jazz Saxophonist, Clarinetist, Arranger, Composer, and Bandleader. His 1961 Impulse! album ‘The Blues and the Abstract Truth’ is regarded as one of the most significant recordings of its era and I love his classic melody ‘Stolen Moments’.
During the Sixties, Nelson became one of the most strongly identifiable writing voices in jazz. Since Nelson was schooled in both the American jazz and European music traditions, his arrangements can be intricate, but when it comes time for a solo, it’s clear that Nelson (who was himself a brilliant soloist on tenor alto and soprano saxophone) has fashioned everything as the proper set up for the featured player.
His passing in 1975 from a heart attack was largely attributed to sheer hard work and stress.
He left behind an incredible musical legacy.
Dominic Howles
Dominic is clearly regarded as an outstanding Double Bass Player.
Having played since a child and studied at The Guildhall he has played across Europe and Asia, West End Shows and is a hot favourite on the British Jazz scene subtly featuring in many of our finest Jazz Ensembles.
The Dominic Howles Septet is his own project and the calibre of musicians who are part of it speaks volumes about its content. This night will be spine-chillingly brilliant, uplifting and fun.
The band:
Dominic Howles – Double Bass,
Sammy Mayne – Alto Sax & Flute,
Martin Shaw – Trumpet
Dave O’Higgins – Tenor Sax,
Mick Foster Baritone Sax,
Graham Harvey – Piano,
Matt Fishwick – Drums,
Lesley Christiane – Vocals
