Posted by Adrian Litvinoff on Feb 19, 2025
We are delighted to announce that the trombone chair, long vacated by Richard Baker, now been filled by Pete Johnson. Pete has recently returned to the Worcestershire area, so we are pleased to say we saw him first! The distinctive sound of the band with its saxes / trombone front line, is therefore complete once more. Pete has an impressive CV despite his youthful lack of years. His experience embraces Jazz, Ska and Reggae, Soul, and musical theatre. Among the bigger names he has worked with are Neville Staple (The Specials), Musical Youth and Beverley Knight. The band is going into rehearsal this Spring and we aim to be back out and working from the summer on. Watch this space, and read more about Pete’s musical journey...
See MorePosted by Adrian Litvinoff on Mar 14, 2022
Alan Wakeman is so unassuming that one can lose sight of what a creative presence he is and has been for many years on the British jazz scene. Fortunately other people have contrived to bring him into the spotlight where he richly deserves to be. In this ‘tribute to himself’, his groundbreaking recordings for BBC Jazz Workshop (1969) and Jazz In Britain (1979) are the focus. They were re-issued in 2020 on Gearbox Records and have won a fistful of encomiums, not least featuring in the Critics’ Polls of New York City Jazz Record and Jazzwise magazines. Chaturanga Suite Now Alan has assembled a high-powered band to take this music out on the road. The band comprises some of the original performers and others of the calibre required to do the music justice. Henry Lowther (trumpet) and Art Themen (saxophone), John Horler (piano) and Paul Nieman (trombone) are the veterans. Asif Sirkis (drums), Arnie Somogyi (bass), Peter Whyman (clarinet) and Miguel Gorodi (trumpet) complete the ensemble, billed as Alan Wakeman’s Octet. Dates so far include Ronnie Scott’s (May 8th), Exeter Phoenix (May 10th), Birmingham Jazz Festival (May 13th) and Dorking Watermill (May 17th). We at Interplay wish Alan the very best for the tour and are booking our seats right now to experience this unique and very British jazz live in person....
See MorePosted by Adrian Litvinoff on Oct 27, 2017
Interplay saxophonist Alan Wakeman recently reached a milestone birthday this year. Matthew D. Wright has written about his considerable track record and his continuing contribution to jazz, and this appraisal appeared recently in Jazzwise Magazine. http://www.jazzwisemagazine.com/breaking-news/14735-westbrook-and-wakeman-line-up-with-the-uncommon-orchestra-for-a-bigger-show Many Happy Returns...
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