8.30 - 11.00pm
£10 on the door
John Altman Big Band
- soprano sax, baritone sax & arrangements: John Altman
- trumpets: Sid Gauld, Mike Lovatt, Rico Tomasso & Steve Waterman
- trombones: Owen Dawson, Mike Feltham, Rory Ingham, Sarah Williams & Andy Wood
- reeds: Mike Coates, Robert Fowler, George Millard, Matt Wates & Martin Williams
- guitar: Mitch Dalton
- piano: Jim Watson
- bass: Alec Dankworth
- drums: Pete Cater
In early 1985 John Altman was asked to arrange an obscure Billie
Holiday song for the young pop star Alison Moyet. It was her parents'
favourite record and she'd grown up singing it. It was duly recorded as
an album track, but then issued as a single and shot to the top of the
charts within a week of release. Coincidentally at the same time John
had to have a minor operation that put him at home for six weeks. He
decided to use the time by creating a big band library for a one off gig
at his local jazz club. Over thirty years later he's at his local jazz
club playing a one off gig with the big band! Members of the original
band will be here tonight with John plus an astounding roster of the top
UK jazz musicians for the 32nd anniversary concert of the band that the
Daily Telegraph called “the best big band in Europe”. With all
material written and/or arranged by John and showcasing the star studded
line up of great jazz soloists this should be as memorable a night as
were all the previous sold out performances at the East Side. John's
long playing career has seen him perform with jazz giants Al Cohn, Jimmy
Heath, Chet Baker, Bud Freeman and Joe Newman to name but a few.
