David Forman's 94th Birthday

Friday February 14

Doors 7.30pm Show 8.30pm

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Jazz photographer's David Forman’s 94th Birthday

Pianist Mark Edward’s all-star band.

Mark Edwards Piano/Keys

Orlando Le Fleming - Bass

Tristan Banks - Drums

Jon Newey - Percussion

Freddie Gavita - Trumpet

Andy Panayi - Saxes

Imogen Ryall - Vocals

In a former life David Forman was a dental surgeon. A change of direction in his early sixties took him travelling and photographing in 150 countries until the pandemic of 2020. He took up jazz photography around 12 years ago and has photographed jazz stars in the U.S., Canada, South America, many countries in Europe as well as numerous venues all over U.K. He has been writing music for over 70 years and recently had his book of jazz, travel photos and CD released by Basho Records. Tonight’s programme will include some of the most beautiful American Songbook melodies along with a splattering of David’s own tunes from the new CD “The Golden Road”…. all the brilliant arrangements being by Mark Edwards.

Mark Edwards is a big name not only as a brilliant jazz pianist but as a top arranger and producer. He has worked with many top U.K. artists including Paul Weller, Carleen Anderson and Katie Melua. One of his recent productions was of David’s own music and all of the artists this afternoon feature on his well-reviewed record “Like a Rainbow”

Orlando Le Fleming "Outstanding” is an overused description but one that’s applied to bassist Orlando le Fleming so consistently that its justification can’t be denied. While living in New York he brought hisinimitable personality to work on projects for the likes of Branford Marsalis, Joey Calderazzo,Antonio Sanchez, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Bill Charlap, Billy Cobham, Kevin Hays, Wayne Krantz,Jimmy Cobb, Ari Hoenig, Seamus Blake, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Leslie Odom Jr, Mark Turner and David Sanchez among many others.

Tristan Banks Drummer, Percussionist, Composer, Curator. Working with many artists covering a wide field of musical genres including Roy Ayers, Steve Winwood, Dave Valentin, David Gilmour, James, Burton, Beverley Knight, Brian May, Van Morrison, Peter King, Lewis Taylor, Tony Remy, Guy Barker, Marcos Valle, Liane Carroll, Mike Lindup, Terry Callier, Carleen Anderson and Mayra Andrade.

Jon Newey is Editor-in-Chief and one of the founding team of Jazzwise magazine, Europe’s top Jazz magazine.

Jon has been a major contributor to the UK music press and has won four Parliamentary Jazz Awards with Jazzwise. He previously: worked at the weekly music paper Sounds; was publisher of TOP magazine for Tower Records; and wrote for the Jazz on CD guide, Jazz At Ronnie Scott’s (the House Magazine of Ronnie Scott's Club) and Jazz Express.

Also a gigging and recording percussionist for over 50 years, Jon has a long reach of contacts in the jazz and music worlds. He is keen to support the National Jazz Archive as it builds on the ethnic and gender diversity of its Patrons and Trustees, to reflect Jazz in all its forms, as well as a telling the “Golden Era” story of Jazz over the last 50 years in the UK.

Andy Panayi is an exceptionally gifted jazz musician, skilled in performance, composition and arranging.He plays all the flutes and all the saxophones and currently leads his own groups, both jazz and classical. He also writes commissioned works and compositions & arrangements for his own ensembles. Andy has performed and recorded with many singers such as; Shirley Bassey, Jessye Norman, Paul McCartney, Seth MacFarlane, Elaine Paige, Salena Jones, Elvis Costello, Georgie Fame, Peter Skellen, Zoot Money, Irene Reed, Elaine Delmar, Helen Shapiro, Madeline Bell & Patty Austin to name a few.

Freddie Gavita Winner of the British Jazz Awards “Best Trumpeter of 2017,” Freddie has cemented his place as a leading light on the British Jazz scene. With the release of his debut album “Transient” in April 2017, his star is certainly on the rise.

He is a member of the Ronnie Scott’s Club Quintet and jazz-rock outfit Fletch’s Brew as well as being a band leader in his own right. A fearless improviser, “he solos with fluent authority, his tone ranging from the warmly conversational to the eloquently strident.”

Imogen Ryall was born into a theatrical family and is not only a wonderful singer but a great lyricist. Blessed with a beautiful honey-toned voice, her skilful improvising and unique and heartfelt interpretations of the jazz standard repertoire have made her a top U.K. performer. On a personal level she has contributed typically amazing lyrics and singing to David's own recently released album.