Alan Barnes Quintet

This final concert of 2021 lived up to the great jazz, linked with the expected humour anticipated and began with the lead pair on baritone and trumpet with Mr TC, then Alan changing to alto for ‘cannonball’ with a beautifully articulate solo. This was followed with some fine flugelhorn on ‘Have Yourself a Very Merry Little Christmas’, Bruce then explained and played with the Harmon mute on ‘Harmon Blues’, the first set finishing with a version of Funky Mama.

During the interval with mince pies, we heard of the sad passing of Bob Crosby our Clubs Founder Chairman just ten days ago, who also wrote the excellent book ‘Jazz Around Chichester’.

The second set began with Alan’s customary humorous introduction to a version of ‘We Three Kings’ and the ballad ‘The Christmas Song’. He then explained that he had that morning written a chart from Charlie Parker’s ‘White Christmas’ live broadcast recording in the early hours of 25th December 1948 from The Royal Roost, New York City, with Kenny Doran on trumpet. I hope most of our audience have this in their collection to compare. The evening finished with a frenetic rendering of ‘Hollywood Stampede’ by Coleman Hawkins which included Bruce playing both horns at the same time. I must not forget to mention the great piano of Robin together with solid support and solos from Andrew and Matt. A fine pre-Christmas helping of quality swinging jazz.

Photos from the event