JAMES PEARSON & FRIENDS

James Pearson will be making his annual trip north, together with his usual band members, but this year he will also be joined by saxophonist Alex Garnett, as well as locally born saxophonist Alex Clarke. Other ‘Friends’ to be announced.

James Pearson

James Pearson is a pianist, composer and creative tour de force.

He is the Artistic Director at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club where his trio are the house band. Their last album ‘Swing the Club’, recorded live at the venue, received excellent reviews across the board.

“James Pearson is in shattering form on these sessions.” – The Sunday Times

The recording was ranked at No. 6 in the Sunday Times albums of 2009, and they were delighted to sell out four nights at the legendary Birdland Jazz Club in New York.

James is equally at home as a concert pianist. He has played concertos with the Philharmonia and the BBC Concert Orchestra amongst many others. His performance of Rachmaninoff’s 2nd Piano Concerto was broadcast on Classic FM and Gershwin’s Piano Concerto and Rhapsody in Blue on BBC Radio 2. With collaborations ranging from Paul McCartney to Wynton Marsalis, James is fast becoming one of the country’s most sought after pianists.

Recent commissions by the BFI and BBC have seen James back in the composing chair. The Big Smoke, commissioned by the BFI, is a collection of footage of London accompanied by an 80-minute score composed by James. His work can also be heard performed by Brodsky String Quartet, Sir John Dankworth, The BBC Concert Orchestra and The BBC Big Band.

“The harmony of Messiaen mixed with the rhythmic pulse of George Shearing.” – The Sunday Times

James Pearson is one of the country’s most respected musicians. His work covers all genres of music, especially contemporary music, jazz and classical. He graduated from the Guildhall School, having completed his degree and the Advanced Solo Studies Course. Whilst at college he studied with Robert Saxton, Francis Shaw, Peter Bithell and James Gibb. He regularly performed with the symphony orchestra, including a concert at the Barbican with Takemitzu.

James has broadcast on all the major radio and television networks, and he was the pianist in the Steve Martland Band. His work as a Jazz musician has taken him all over the world. His fine piano playing and arrangements can be heard on over 50 albums.

Amongst the many people James has worked with are Dame Cleo Laine, Maria Ewing, Marian Montgomery, Petula Clark, The John Wilson Orchestra, Elvin Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Joss Stone, Dave Stewart, Buddy Greco, Johnny Griffin, Joseph Horowitz, Richard Rodney Bennett, Ray Davies, Polly Gibbons, Nigel Kennedy, Robbie Williams, Rufus Wainwright, Gregory Porter, Imelda May, Jeff Beck and Paul McCartney.

Alex Garnett – Saxophone

Alex Garnett has been one of the leading saxophonists in the UK and Mainland Europe for over two decades, being instantly recognized by his dark, husky sound. A versatile musician and first call sideman, he has enjoyed success as both a jazz artist, composer and arranger, and an in demand session, studio and commercial saxophonist, having racked up countless recording credits along the way. A ubiquitous performer with many of Europe’s leading bands from underground to pop, he’s a regular sideman of choice for many visiting American artists when touring in Europe, and has performed in over 30 countries worldwide appearing at such venues as the Blue Note, Birdland, as well as the Perugia, North Sea, Vittoria, Montreax, and Oslo Jazz Festivals to name but a few, with varied and diverse artists across the spectrum such as Sir John Dankworth, Wynton Marsalis, Pete King, Humphrey Littleton, Scott Hamilton, Van Morrison, Evan Parker and The Rolling Stones, as well as with his contemporaries Gareth Lockrane, Seamus Blake, Phil Robson, Michael Janisch, Joel Frahm, and more. Although Alex has accumulated one of the most impressive biographies of any saxophonist in Europe of his generation, he did not release his own solo album until the age of 40 in September of 2011. Recorded in NYC at Systems Two Studios, Garnett’s debut album Serpent features drummer Willie Jones III, Anthony Wonsey on piano, and bassist Michael Janisch, while showcasing eight original compositions from the leader. The album proved to be one of the most anticipated debuts for years in the UK, winning universal acclaim by press, fans and musicians alike. As of late Garnett can be seen at his weekly late-night residency at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho every Monday and Tuesday while not touring, and released his second album with his new band ‘Bunch of Five’ in January of 2015. Titled Andromeda, it features long time musical associate and fellow tenor saxophonist Tim Armacost, pianist Liam Noble, bassist Michael Janisch and drummer James Maddren.

Alex Clarke – Saxophone

As a finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2020, winner of the Rising Star category in the 2019 British Jazz Awards and three-time nominee in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, Alex is known to be one of the most in-demand and versatile saxophonists to have emerged on the British jazz scene. Praised for her intelligent ear for harmony and a deep knowledge of repertoire across a broad spectrum of styles, Alex’s sound is steeped in the tradition of bebop. Her total respect for the heritage of the music can be heard in a fiery, melodic approach inspired by the likes of Phil Woods, Cannonball Adderley and Vincent Herring. As a bandleader, Alex’s quartet features some of the UK’s finest musicians: David Newton, Dave Green and Steve Brown. In summer 2022, she released her latest album “Only A Year” and since then, her quartet have toured extensively around the country, appearing at jazz clubs, theatres and festivals including Swanage Jazz Festival, Southport Jazz Festival and Scarborough Jazz Festival. As well as working as a bandleader, Alex performs alongside many notable names such as Alan Barnes, Alex Garnett, Alec Dankworth, Bruce Adams and Art Themen, and regularly works with prestigious larger ensembles such as the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra, the Simon Spillett Big Band and Down For The Count. Outside of jazz, Alex has much experience in playing a variety of music from Ska and Motown, to Pop and Prog Rock. She is equally comfortable working alongside DJs for private and corporate functions. As a session musician, Alex has recorded for numerous projects ranging from Folk to Northern Soul, including sessions at Abbey Road Studios. In musical theatre, Alex held the woodwind chair on the 2024 UK & Ireland tour of 101 Dalmatians. As an educator, Alex worked in the Music Department at Warwick School for 3 years, as well as tutoring for organisations such as the National Youth Jazz Collective and the Royal Northern College of Music at workshops, Summer Schools and Saxophone Days across the country. She is also available for private tuition online, and in person in the Warwickshire area. Alex is proud to be an official Vandoren Artist, using their reeds and accessories across all horns.
https://www.alexclarkejazz.co.uk