James Pearson Trio plus Alan Barnes and Nina Ferro

JAMES PEARSON TRIO
The owner of a ferocious piano technique coupled with a sense of musicality rarely heard, James is one of the most exciting to musicians to have emerged from the U.K in the last 25 years. After working with him, British jazz legend Sir John Dankworth recently declared: "James Pearson is an exceptionally gifted artist. His masterful playing makes him head and shoulders above the rest of his contemporaries. He shows signs of true greatness" The Trio also includes: SAM BURGESS – Double Bass Despite only being in his early 30’s, already Sam is a stalwart of the UK jazz scene. As well as appearing on numerous film soundtracks such as 'Bridget Jones's Diary' and 'Hannibal'. Sam’s thumping, pounding, relentlessly driving bass lines have been heard accompanying the likes of Bob James, Billy Kilson, Gary Novak, Joe Lock, Dave Kekowski, Guy Barker, Dave O'Higgins, Pete King, Gareth Williams, Claire Martin, Jim Mullen, Alan Barnes, Tim Whitehead, John Horler, Gwyneth Herbert, John Dankworth, The BBC Big Band and Robbie Williams. SIMON LEA - Drums Another young lion of the vibrant UK jazz scene, Simon is widely regarded as one of the most exciting drummers to have come out of the U.K in years. Simon works regularly with the bands of Dave O’Higgins, Gwyneth Herbert, Guy Barker and has been playing with James Pearson’s acclaimed piano trio for the last year or so.


NINA FERRO
Nina is one of the most exciting jazz vocalists in the world today. Upon hearing the native Australian, the legendary Tony Bennett declared: “Nena is a fabulous performer with a knockout voice”. Nina has performed all over the world in jazz clubs, festivals, concert halls as well as having been hand picked to perform to the world at the opening ceremonies of both the 2006 Commonwealth Games and the 2004 Olympics in Sydney. With a repertoire which embraces The American Popular Songbook, as well as songwriters from the second half of the Twentieth Century, Nina’s electrifying stage presence promises to enthral, excite and thrill jazz fans at Ronnie’s.

ALAN BARNES
Between 1977-80 studied saxophone, woodwinds and arranging at the Leeds College of music before moving to London. In 1980 he played with the Midnight Follies Orchestra and the following year was with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra, touring Europe until 1983. In that year he left to join the hard bop band of Tommy Chase where he attracted considerable attention on the UK jazz scene for the first time. He left Chase in 1986 to co-lead The Jazz Renegades with rock drummer Steve White travelling as far afield as Japan and recording four well received albums.
In 1988 Alan was asked to fill the chair recently vacated by Bruce Turner in the Humphrey Lyttleton band where he stayed until 1992. Between 1987-97 he also found time to lead the Pizza Express Modern Jazz Sextet with Gerard Prescencer and Dave O’Higgins. Alan has enjoyed a prolific career as a sideman, playing and recording for many bands. He broadcast regularly over a ten-year period with the BBC Big Band and Radio Orchestra and has toured and recorded with big band leaders, Dick Walter, Kenny Baker, Bob Wilber, Don Weller, Stan Tracey and Mike Westbrook. Alan recorded his first record date as co-leader in 1985 with Tommy Whittle –“Straight Eight” and as leader of his own quartet in 1987-“Affiliation” with pianist David Newton, an association that goes back to their college days.
Since leaving the Lyttleton band, Alan has concentrated on his freelance career. In 1993 he again recorded with Newton resulting in the duo album “Like Minds” and the quartet, quintet and sextet album “Thirsty Work”, which featured fellow reedmen Andy Panayi and Iain Dixon. Throughout the 90s he co-led a quintet with blistering be-bop trumpeter Bruce Adams, recording 2 CDs “Side- Stepping” and “ Lets Face the Music”. Other bands he has toured and recorded with include the Gary Potter quartet, playing the music of Django Reinhardt, the Tina May Trio with Nikki Iles, Bill LeSage’s Genetically Modified Quintet, and Spike Robinson’s Tenor Madness.

For more info visit www.alan-barnes.co.uk