CLARK TRACEY/ JAQUI DANKWORTH/ PETER KING, ART THEMEN & MORNINGTON LOCKETT
Well, this is evening is undoubtedly a treat for anyone who loves great jazz performed by some of the finest artists on the International jazz scene. Saxophonists Peter King and Mornington Lockett have been appearing at the Club as a quintet for some years now and the addition of the iconic saxophonist Art Themen to the line up makes this already remarkable gig nothing short of amazing.
After taking the scene by storm in the early sixties with the Ronnie Scott quintet, Peter King has gone on to establish himself unequivocally as one of the finest alto saxophonists in the world. His fabulous technique allied with an unerring sense of harmony has made him one of the greatest players this country has ever produced. The featured saxophonist with the Charlie Watts Band, his playing has made him famous worldwide. Peter has always been a great supporter of the Club and it is with enormous pleasure that we welcome this saxophone giant to our Festivities. Joining Peter tonight is the remarkable Mornington Lockett, one of the UK’s leading tenor sax players. Mornington worked with the Ronnie Scott quintet before moving on to work with singer Sarah Jane Morris and the Tracey’s - Stan and Clark - as well as being the driving force behind the brilliant “Celebrating the Jazz Couriers” quintet. He has a powerful and hugely impressive sound and approach and is widely regarded as one of the great UK tenor sax players. Art Themen is a terrific tenor saxophonist who was associated for many years with the iconic British pianist Stan Tracey and his post-bop tenor playing is both fluent and distinctive. Art is universally admired and respected throughout the UK jazz scene. This will be a rare chance to hear three of the finest saxophonists in world music playing together and is an absolute must for anyone interested in great modern jazz. peterkingjazz.com/ :: :: tiscali.co.uk/morningtonlockett
Following this set will be one of the UK's most distinctive and respected jazz vocalists, the wonderful Jacqui Dankworth. Hailing from one of the most prestigious families on the International Jazz scene, her mother is the iconic singer Cleo Laine and her father was the great John Dankworth, the multi-award winning Jacqui Dankworth is in her own right widely regarded as one of the finest singers of her generation. I first met Jacqui when she was still a student and have seen her grow over the years in to an artist of real depth and character. With a faultless technique and seemingly effortless mastery of a wide spectrum of genres Jacqui’s unique musical palette draws not only on Jazz but folk, soul, classical, blues and numerous other influences as well. Reviewers have described her as “incomparable”, “multi-faceted” and “…one of our finest singers, regardless of category” (Sunday Times). She has performed and recorded with a diverse array of celebrated musicians, including the Brodsky Quartet, Courtney Pine, Paloma Faith, Georgie Fame, Gregory Porter, The London Symphony Orchestra and legendary jazz pianist Chick Corea. She will be performing tonight with her band, led by pianist Charlie Wood, and with her impressive range, total command of the music and wonderful subtlety and swing she never fails to impress. jacquidankworth.com/
And finishing the evening will be the terrific drummer Clark Tracey, with his band. An excellent, highly experienced, award-winning drummer, bandleader, composer and arranger Clark originally featured with the band of his late, great, father Stan, before going on to establish himself in his own right as one of the country’s leading modern jazz drummers. He has recorded over 90 albums (9 as a leader) and performed in over 50 countries. He has been awarded the "Best Drums" title five times in the British Jazz Awards (most recently in 2016 and 2017) as well as Ronnie Scott's Award for “Best Drums”. This evening, going back to our "Generations" theme, Clark will be bringing in his band full of some of the best of the young up-coming jazz musicians in the country, including the brilliant young Award-winning horn section of newcomers Sean Payne on sax and the current BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year Alex Ridout on trumpet, along with the equally talented James Owston on bass. I first met Clark back in the days of the Old Club in the late 80's and he has been a stalwart here at Lots Road since we first opened our doors, so it is a real pleasure to welcome him this evening with this, the latest iteration of his Award winning band. clarktracey.com
“Peter King...plays with...searing authority” Guardian; “Lockett…plays with tremendous fluency and drive” Evening Standard; “World class” Jazz Journal; “Themen..excellent..thrilling” Jazz UK; "Dankworth….the most expressive voice of her generation" The Observer; “Tracey...one of the most impressive jazz drummers in Britain today” The Times