**CD LAUNCH** NEIL ANGILLEY
“rhapsodic…with shrewd use of space and restraint”
Guardian
We'll be screening the England v Croatia match in the main room of the Club. The music will start after the game. Go England!
Neil Angilley is a brilliant pianist, equally at home playing jazz, Latin or classical. He has worked with the acid jazz percussionist Snowboy for many years, is MD for the violin virtuoso Vanessa Mae and includes work with the likes of Maceo Parker, Roy Hargrove, Lionel Richie, Lisa Stansfield and Jazz/Rock show “War of The Worlds” on a glittering CV. Neil’s debut album “Havana Club” was received with great acclaim and his second, highly impressive, album under his own name, “Chango”, featuring Snowboy amongst many others, was equally well received. Tonight, Neil will be launching his latest recording and first completely Jazz based album, “The Lake District”, a project of considerable personal significance which has been 25 years in the making. Composed in nine movements it depicts one of England’s most renowned areas of natural beauty and one of Neil's favourite places, the Lake District, in musical form. Described by Neil as “a symphonic work for piano, electric bass & drums” with an “eclectic mix” of jazz and classical styles the music has, in part, been inspired by the great quintessentially British composers Elgar and Vaughan Williams. It is also dedicated to renowned author Beatrix Potter who lived near Sawrey, Cumbria and who, when she died in 1943, left 4,000 acres of land and countryside to the National Trust (as well as 14 farms!). Helping Neil realise this musical vision will be his storming rhythm section of Davide Mantovani (Baaba Maal, Jason Rebello) on bass and Davide Giovannini (Paul McCartney, Steve Winwood) on drums. A brilliant piece of writing combined with truly virtuosic musicianship. Unquestionably in a class of its own and a must hear for anyone interested in modern jazz at its very best.
“Inventive” Observer; “Lyrical…impressively fluid” The Times; “rhapsodic…with shrewd use of space and restraint” Guardian; “Neil Angilley has long been one of the UK’s best kept secrets in the jazz world…nothing short of spectacular” Blues & Soul Magazine