Ticket link: https://www.wegottickets.com/event/564048

Double bassist Mark Trounson has assembled this exciting new quintet of top jazz players from the East Midlands to explore the music that emerged from the first generation of modern jazz players in the 1940s and 1950s. With a particular emphasis on the music of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, as well as lesser known composers such as Tadd Dameron and Howard McGhee, this project explores how these virtuoso performers transformed the music world and left a legacy that echoes in the music of today.

Hugh Pascall (trumpet): after studying at the Royal Academy of Music and the Paris Conservatoire, Hugh’s career has taken him around the UK and across Europe in many different bands including Tony Kofi’s ‘Inside Straight’ band and the David Ferris Septet featuring US guitarist Peter Bernstein alongside commercial work for film, TV and advertising. Hugh holds a residency at Nottingham’s Peggy’s Skylight and launched his debut album ‘Borderlands’ this year with a 19 date tour across the UK, stunning audiences with his fluent post-bop language on trumpet and flugelhorn.

Marcus Joseph (alto saxophone): Musician and Spoken Word artist Marcus Joseph aspires to be an instrument of change. Whether playing a proud role in his local Leicester community, lending his talents to perform for George Cole – the city’s first black mayor – or paying homage to his Afro- Caribbean roots with songs charged with the righteous energy of reggae music, the spirited Alto Saxophonist possesses the gift to uplift. His debut album ‘Beyond the Dome’ (Jazz Refreshed) effortless blends jazz, reggae, hip hop with contemporary music and has won favour with the likes of Gilles Peterson, Tom Robinson, Tony Minvielle, DJ Lanni, opening the door to play at landmark events such as Love Supreme, Manchester Jazz Festival and We Out Here.

Keenan Ngo (piano): Born in Cardiff and raised in London, Keenan began his musical career at the age of four. He achieved his DipABRSM at the age of 17 and was offered a place to study at the Royal Northern College of Music. However, Keenan chose to commence his university studies at Royal Holloway, University of London, achieving First-Class Honours in Physics with Music. A rising star on the jazz scene, Keenan has become an in demand jazz piano player and regularly performs at Warwick Arts Centre and at FarGo Village with the Aaron Moloney trio, alongside his career as a medical physicist.

Mark Trounson (bass): A graduate of Goldsmiths College, University of London and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Mark grew up in Cornwall, playing piano and singing as a child and turning his attention from rock to jazz in his late teens and eventually to the double bass. Mark moved to Leicester in 2013 and has become a stalwart of the East Midlands jazz scene. Mark composes for his own band, ‘Disquiet’ with the release of debut album ‘Malus and Clawback’ set for 2023. He has performed with the likes of Osian Roberts, Pete Churchill and US saxophonist Bill McHenry.

Mitch Perrins (drums): A graduate of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Queens College, NYC, Mitch honed his skills in New York City over the course of ten years, performing at legendary venues Smalls, Iridium and the Blue Note. Mitch now divides his time between the UK and USA and has a dual career as a musician and writer. He has performed with Gary Burton and Vincent Herring among many others.

This evening at Kenilworth Jazz, we are delighted to welcome legendary US saxophonist, Greg Abate, as part of his current UK tour. Greg is based in the USA, a musician of brilliant international standing, and without a doubt, amongst the finest jazz players of his generation. After studying at Berklee in the mid 70’s, Greg joined the Ray Charles band, and later the renowned Artie Shaw Orchestra. Since then, Greg has had an outstanding career as a band leader in his own right. His recent albums include a beautiful album with the late great Phil Woods, and his most recent album with the incredible pianist, Kenny Baron. As well as his touring work, Greg is also a composer, arranger, a Grammy-nominated recording artist and educator of some considerable note, serving as an adjunct professor of Jazz Studies at Rhode Island College. His fluent and muscular playing is best described as “post hard bop”, encompassing a classic approach to the material in the style of Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, Cannonball Adderley and Phil Woods.

Joining Greg, we are delighted to welcome back the virtuosic, energetic and deeply harmonic, ALEX STEELE on piano. The final cherries on the jazz cake are the formidable MILES LEVIN on drums, and the insuperable JAMES AGG on double bass. A superstar line-up for a special jazz gig!

TICKET LINK: https://www.wegottickets.com/event/559763