Alan Barnes [multi-reed] is one of the most versatile and respected jazz players and composers in the UK. His album last year with Scott Hamilton, 'Hi-Ya' was received with great critical acclaim and was featured as one of the top ten albums of the year by jazz critics. This year he has repeated the feat, his collaboration with Ken Mathieson ‘The Glasgow Suite [The music of Benny Carter] has received sumptuous recognition - ‘’Barnes principally plays alto saxophone...his solos are excellent...surely this will feature in 2011’s album of the year poll...this is a real treat for all jazz fans’’ [Jazz Journal].
His optimistic and good nature seem to have 'magical' qualities. At the recent Titley Jazz Festival [Powys] – ‘’soon the grim clouds crowded out much of the failing light...after a superbly crisp 14 minute ‘Just One Of Those Things’, Alan Barnes’ opening number, things had considerably brightened...he seems to have permeated the whole festival’’ [Jazz Journal].
He had a long-standing association with the late writer/lyricist Alan Plater producing a number of jazz influenced shows and recordings. Alan also runs his own recording label and has featured with Harry Allen, Ken Peplowski and Warren Vache. He tours extensively and is much in demand at jazz festivals and concerts in the UK and abroad. It is a real pleasure to welcome Alan back to Smalls, where his great performance last year created an atmosphere that swung.
Alan is joined by the wonderful rhythm section of Terry Seabrook [piano], Piers Clark [rhythm guitar] and Steve Thompson [bass] who have done so much to enhance the quality of music at Smalls.
liz and dennis simpson
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