Alison Rayner Quintet
Alison Rayner has had a lengthy career as a bass player and composer, touring and recording with award-winning all-female band, the Guest Stars, and subsequently working with players such as Tal Farlow, Ian Shaw, Jean Toussaint, John Etheridge and Deirdre Cartwright.
Now, as a leader, Alison ties together many of the strands of her numerous musical influences.
For the past two years, the Alison Rayner Quintet has built a substantial and wide-ranging audience for their music, which focuses on terrific grooves, poignant melodies and fluid improvisation, with influences spanning funk, folk, and Afro-Cuban dance music.
Alison released her first album as a bandleader in 2014, August garnering a plethora of plaudits from the jazz press. It was also a sharp reminder to the British jazz world of the breadth and depth of her often unsung talents.
Alison’s second CD, A Magic Life, was released last November, and is bursting with melodic and harmonic references.
A group with a long collective pedigree, whose tight and assured playing is superbly suited to play Rayner’s compositions, ARQ brings to the stage a musical bond that is expressed in such fun and joyful moments, that it is an absolute pleasure to be in the same room with them.
Joining Alison are Steve Lodder (Piano), Deirdre Cartwright (Guitar), Diane McLoughlin (Saxophone) and Buster Birch (Drums) - all virtuoso musicians who offer a masterclass in empathetic playing. Don't miss them!
www.blowthefuse.com
“August shows her to be a superb composer . . . a perfect showcase of Rayner’s diverse talents. - Jazz UK
“ . . . a stylish, satisfyingly varied debut – released not a moment too soon.” - Jazzwise
“Purposeful, full-toned and melodic . . . a beautifully integrated band.” - Dave Gelly, Sunday Observer, on A Magic Life.
“Highly intelligible music, characterized by individuality, spirit and a sense of freedom.” - Val Wilmer, on A Magic Life.
“The writing is rich and varied, and the arrangements combine brightness and colour with exactitude and precision.” - Ian Mann, thejazzman.com, on A Magic Life.
Tickets £14 / £12 Concessions
Jazz Express Offer: Book for any three gigs and get tickets for just £10 each!
Doors open 7pm, starts 7.30pm.
