Description
A star-studded conclave of world-class UK jazz musicians - co-led by the great saxophonist Alan Barnes - apply themselves to this set of audacious and imaginatively re-cast arrangements from the pen of Mark Nightingale. James Davison, the most startlingly talented UK brass player of his generation, joins this highly experienced team with brilliant results. Charlie Parker's 'Ornithology',Thelonious Monk's 'Straight No Chaser', Billy Strayhorn's 'Satin Doll' and Horace Silver's 'Peace are amongst the gems to be found here.
This is the second Woodville Records release to be based solely around the brilliant arranging skills of world class trombonist Mark Nightingale. The first, Alan Barnes plus 11 (WVCD151) featured Mark's adept and characterful handling of a twelve-piece ensemble. Jazz Classics ...with a Twist displays equal inventiveness and imagination, showcasing a sextet line-up in a programme of individually re-thought takes on these ageless tunes. In Mark's hands this band frequently resembles a much larger ensemble such is his skill in manipulating tone colour and voicing.
Veteran award-winning alto saxophonist and clarinetist Alan Barnes has been a close associate of Mark's for over thirty years, the pairing having appeared together on over a dozen previous album releases. On trumpet and flugelhorn, James Davison was recently invited to join the prestigious 'London Brass', his stylistic versatility is astonishing, but it is as a jazz soloist that he most impresses. Mark Nightingale's own skills as a trombonist and jazz musician have long been recognised as world class and here he fully reaffirms his reputation.
This album captures a joyous performance, with all featured musicians at the very top of their game. Beautifully recorded with a magnificent piano at Curtis Stewart's Studio it is set to become a classic in its own right.
Mark Nightingale: trombone
Alan Barnes: alto saxophone, clarinet
James Davison: trumpet, flugelhorn
Graham Harvey: piano
Jeremy Brown: double bass
Ian Thomas: drums
