Chris Hodgkins launches three albums at the Pizza Express, Dean Street, London on Thursday 12th May
Trumpeter Chris Hodgkins is launching three albums at the Pizza Express, Dean Street, London, W1D 3RW on Thursday 12th May at 8 pm – doors open at 6:30 pm. Tickets are available at: https://www.
The “Salute To Humphrey Lytteltonâ album was recorded after last November’s 17 date UK tour, the Chris Hodgkins International Quartet album âFestooned with Trumpetsâ, was recorded after their tour in 2019 and the Vic Parker, Chris Hodgkins, Jed Williams album was recorded live at the Quebec Hotel, Cardiff in January/ February 1976. The band for the launch is Chris Hodgkins, Henry Lowther and Nick Smart (trumpets), Alison Rayner (double bass);Â Buster Birch (drums); Charlotte Glasson (baritone sax/clarinet/penny whistle); Alex Clarke (tenor sax/clarinet); Diane McLoughlin (alto sax/soprano sax); Mark Bassey (trombone). With special guests, Andrea Vicari on piano and guitarist Phil Robson.
“I’ve waited all year to hear a band like this! Maybe waited all my life or at least since I first heard the Lyttelton band in Camden Town Hall – the one that had Coe, Skidmore, Temperley and Pickard alongside Humph in the front line. This band exuded the same amount of class – the ensembles were something else. What a sound! “ Lance Liddle, Bebop Spoken Here November 2021
Rising to prominence in the early 1950s, Lytteltonâs hit single âBad Penny Bluesâ was the first-ever British jazz record to achieve top 20 status. Â Throughout his career, he blazed a trail with diverse presentations of jazz music and unique collaborations. In 2002, he performed (in front of 42,000) and recorded with Radiohead, engaging an entirely new audience with his music and providing a rare platform for fellow jazz musicians to play on a world stage.
In addition to his influential role as leader of the jazz revival, Lyttelton, affectionately known as âHumphâ, was also a much-loved broadcaster, hosting BBC Radio 2âs âBest Of Jazzâ programme for many years, as well as BBC Radio 4âs hugely successful and still running) comedy show âIâm Sorry, I Havenât A Clueâ (later hosted by Jack Dee).
The âSalute To Humphrey Lytteltonâ album comprises Humphâs compositions, as well as some brand new pieces composed for the tour. The band for the launch is: Chris Hodgkins, Henry Lowther, Nick Smart (trumpets), Alison Rayner (double bass), Buster Birch (drums), Charlotte Glasson (baritone sax/clarinet/penny whistle), Alex Clarke (tenor sax/clarinet), Diane McLoughlin (alto sax/soprano sax), Mark Bassey (trombone) With special guests Andrea Vicari on piano and guitarist Phil Robson.
âFestooned with Trumpetsâ: With funding from Arts Council England, Chris Hodgkins toured an outstanding Anglo/American quartet in May
2019. Chris recruited South Korean pianist from New York, Jinjoo Yoo, âone of the most exciting pianists on the scene in New Yorkâ, plus guitarist Wayne Wilkinson, âone of the best, most underrated jazz guitarists in the USAâ. also featured Alison Rayner on bass and Chris on trumpet.
The music comprised a mixture of standards and four originals especially written for the tour and was recorded immediately after the tour.
âVic Parker At The Quebec Hotel + Chris Hodgkins + Jed Williamsâ:
 Chris hails from Cardiff and it was there in Cardiffâs Tiger Bay he worked with the local legendary guitar player Vic Park
er at the Quebec Hotel, Crichton Street, Cardiff. Two sessions with Vic Parker with Chris on cornet and Jed Williams on drums were recorded in January and February 1976.
Further information:
Tel:0750 764 9077
chrishodgkins3@gmail.com
www.chrishodgkins.co.uk