“We have chosen a varied program reflecting this enormous range of material and have interpreted the music respectfully but not reverentially, allowing it to breathe and feel natural for our time.” – James

James Allsop is one of the UK’s most versatile and expressive saxophonists, acclaimed for his command of the baritone, tenor and soprano saxophones, and for the creativity he brings to every performance. A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he has worked with an array of leading names including Mike Gibbs, Django Bates, Billy Jenkins and the BBC Big Band, and is widely admired both as a soloist and ensemble player.

For this special Twickenham Jazz Club appearance, James turns his attention to one of the most iconic figures in jazz: Stan Getz.

Renowned as “The Sound,” Getz’s lyrical tone and melodic approach helped bring bossa nova to international fame and shaped modern jazz saxophone for generations. His collaborations with João Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Astrud Gilberto produced timeless classics like The Girl from Ipanema and Desafinado, while earlier work with Woody Herman’s “Second Herd” yielded the unforgettable Four Brothers sound. Alongside his contemporaries such as Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, and Gerry Mulligan, Getz was a defining exponent of the cool jazz and West Coast styles, later moving into more exploratory territory with Chick Corea and other innovators of the 1960s and 70s.

James and his quartet will revisit highlights from across Getz’s career — from the swinging bebop and cool jazz lines of his early years, through the lush bossa nova collaborations, to the adventurous late recordings. With his warm tone, improvisational flair and deep respect for the jazz tradition, James Allsop is the ideal interpreter of this music.

Expect an evening of elegance, swing, and heartfelt lyricism as Twickenham Jazz Club celebrates the timeless artistry of Stan Getz.