Two of the finest UK jazz players, who have played with some of the very best musicians of the genre, are heading to the island next month.

Celebrated jazz duo Alan Barnes, a master of reed and wind instruments, and pianist Dave Newton are to appear at the Peel Centenary Centre on Saturday, February 1, performing as guests of the Blue Vannin jazz club.

The duo are currently celebrating spending more than 40 years together, performing for most of their careers at the very top of their trade and are returning to the island where both musicians have enjoyed performing, either together or separately, for many years.

Dave Newton in particular has fond memories of his time spent in the island. He once regularly played with the well-known local jazz aficionado and performer Jim Caine and, in 2006, turned the Centenary Centre into a recording studio to record an album with the acclaimed jazz guitarist Martin Taylor.

’Not only a CD but a DVD too,’ said Dave.

’We recorded an album called "Freternity", along with Guy Barker and a chap called Steve Brown, which did very well, if I remember rightly.

’The whole venue was converted into a recording studio and somewhere suitable we could film the DVD, with nice lighting and all that.’

The album and DVD was eventually released at the legendary Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, winning a hat full of industry awards along the way.

’It was actually a smashing experience, and everybody there was so accommodating for us. I can’t wait to go back,’ he said.

’For a long time we would come over to play with Jim Caine for his jazz nights.

’He would often have Alan and I over as a duo or to play with some of the other guests.

’I think one of the most memorable nights was a show at the Gaiety Theatre during the early 90s when I played with Humphrey Littleton and Helen Shapiro.’

Dave and Alan first met in 1977, when the pair both enrolled to study jazz at Leeds Music College.

’Meeting Alan was one of those happy coincidences that change your life,’ said Dave.

’We met by sharing digs at university and we just hit it off immediately. Forty-odd years later and we’re still together.

’It also helps that Alan is genuinely one of the funniest guys on the planet and a great guy to know socially.’

They soon found themselves in demand as accompanists to some of the great American jazz players when they toured the UK.

’I am lucky to have played with some of the greatest musicians in the world during my career, and with some of the most famous and almost historic names too,’ he said.

’As part of a rhythm section we would often accompany musicians who had actually played at the Cotton Club and were part of the famous Chicago scene. These were the people who more or less originated the music that we know and love today.

’Playing and sitting and chatting with them was such an invaluable thing. An absolute privilege.

’My favourite must have been a guy called Clark Terry, who I think is the most musical person I have ever met. He just had music coming out of his pores. I did a tour with him and John Dankworth.’

Dave said that the set he and Alan will play at the Centenary Centre will be largely taken from their latest CD, ’Ask Me Now’, released in 2017 to commemorate 40 years together.

The CD features a range of the duo’s favourite jazz classics, along with two original tracks, ’The Sun, The Sea, The Stars and Me’, written by Alan, and Dave’s composition ’Looking at You’.

’I would probably describe the music we play as coming from the great American songbook, interspersed with some of the more melodic jazz standards,’ said Dave.

’There are a really good selection of songs that we both love on there, such as "I Won’t Dance", by Jerome Kern or Thelonious Monk’s "Ask me Now".

’With it being just the two of us, it is nice to play these songs and tunes, as we can really get into each others heads when we are playing, which makes it a nice experience. On stage sometimes we’ll pick a nice tune and have a play about with it.

’The material we play on the album and in the set we’ll be doing in Peel, has all been written by musical geniuses and the hard work has all been done. Really, the only thing we have to do is not muck it up.’

Tickets for Dave Newton and Alan Barnes, supported by Blue Vannin Jazz, are £18, available from GH Corlett’s in Douglas, Celtic Gold in Peel, Thompson Travel in Port Erin, Shakti Man in Ramsey and online from etickets.im/cc

by Mike Wade

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