Award winning jazz musicians Alan Barnes and David Newton have been playing duets for 47 years. They cover a vast repertoire from Louis Armstrong to Chick Corea and play with an empathy that can only come with long experience. David is one of the best solo jazz pianists this country has ever produced and Alan plays multi reed instruments- all the saxes, clarinet and bass clarinet. They have developed an empathy and telepathic sympathy which only playing together for many years can bring.
The emphasis, as always, is on swinging, accessibility and interplay. Expect a hugely entertaining programme of straight ahead jazz flawlessly played and interspersed with lots of anecdotes and peppered with humour.
Their latest and best album “ Tis Autumn” is available on Woodville Records.
Reviews of ‘Tis Autumn’:
“It’s a beautifully wrought recital of empathic world class jazz. Each seems now to be able to anticipate the others moves with nary a nod of direction.Newton continues to combine taste, touch and innate harmonic sense in the manner of the perfect accompanist while Barnes, whether piping a clarinet ballad or simply letting the majestic weight of his baritone sax’s sound carry a song plays with touching candour…. but it is his alto,- once upon a time peppered with allusions to others but now utterly personal-which draws the listener in with it’s tonal detail and commanding poise.” Jazz Rag
“ A relaxed vibe and peerless duet playing defines this recording, as two seasoned figures (and long term collaborators) on the UK jazz scene have their emphathetic way with a thoughtful choice of repertoire”. The Times