Phil Robson’s “Night Dreamer” Tribute to Miles & Wayne Shorter with special guest Jean Toussaint
Multi-award-winning guitarist/composer Phil Robson, saxophonist & former Jazz Messenger Jean Toussaint & friends come together to pay homage to the great saxophonist, composer and living legend, Wayne Shorter. Appearing on the UK Jazz scene in the early 90’s Phil Robson’s fluent and creative playing was soon recognised as something special. By the mid 90’s he had formed the band ‘Partisans’ with saxophonist Julian Siegel, which was to become a seminal influence on the UK and European contemporary scene for over 20 years. An admired and respected musician he includes work with the likes of Barbra Streisand, Kenny Wheeler, Maceo Parker, Amy Winehouse & Joe Lovano on a remarkable cv.
Phil’s Special Guest tonight is the powerful and impressive multi-award-winning saxophonist Jean Toussaint. Raised on the Caribbean Island of St Thomas, in 1982 Jean become a member of the legendary Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. After touring the world with the Messengers for some years, in the late 80’s Jean settled in the UK and has been a leading light on the scene here, both as a performer and educator, ever since. Immensely respected with an international profile, his credentials are truly impressive, including work with the likes of McCoy Tyner, Cedar Walton, Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis & Elvin Jones. The music Phil and Jean will be performing tonight will be a selection of their favourite Shorter classics as well as some music associated with him. As Phil says “Wayne Shorter’s music has something for everyone…beautiful melodies, rich harmonies and fantastic grooves which have influenced countless musicians over the many generations of his long career”.
“Jazz shouldn’t have any mandates. Jazz is not supposed to be something that’s required to sound like jazz. For me the word ‘jazz’ means, ‘I dare you.’” Wayne Shorter; “Phil Robson’s inventiveness on the guitar is unstoppable” The Telegraph; "Robson performs impeccably" AllAboutJazz; “Toussaint…fluent and assured” Guardian