Christmas Special 2013

Ken Mathieson formed his ‘CJO’ in 2004 after an apprenticeship which included being "first-call" jazz drummer in Scotland, working with a positive Who's Who of top American and UK musicians - everyone from Bud Freeman to Sonny Stitt, Bobby Hackett to Art Farmer and legendary figures like Benny Carter, Buddy de Franco and Teddy Wilson. In 1987 Ken (then Director of the Glasgow International Jazz Festival) commissioned Benny Carter to write ’The Glasgow Suite’ for the festival. He has since rearranged and recorded this with Alan Barnes (on the Woodville Records label). We heard this superb music at the Scarborough Jazz Festival in 2012 and it will form part of this concert.

David is widely recognised as Britain’s most accomplished jazz pianist and particularly so in the field of vocal accompaniment at which he excels. He joins AJ Brown, a young musician who is rapidly gaining a national reputation as a singer-songwriter. Today’s gig will include some seasonal material as well as standards and AJ’s own tunes. This Christmas carvery has become established as a club favourite event and has sold out for the last three years (limited to 80 diners) so please book early. Music from 6 to 7 pm.

It’s party time! With an invitation band led by Alan Barnes who has graced and enlivened our Christmas Special for several years. We are delighted to welcome Irish trumpeter/band leader and broadcaster Linley Hamilton to his first SMJ gig. Also fine young trombonist Simon Lodge who you will remember from the RNCM and ‘Beats and Pieces’ Big Bands. You can expect an eclectic mix of favourite tunes delivered with energy and enthusiasm with the support of this great rhythm section along with some exceptional soloing, plus a song or two from AJ Brown.