Ben Crosland's 75th Birthday Gig
Bass player, composer and arranger Ben Crosland has been an ever present force on the British jazz scene for over thirty-five years. Since the 1980s, he worked as a sideman, supporting the likes of Spike Robinson, Harry Allen, Ken Peplowski, Bobby Wellins and many others, while through his longstanding connection with the Marsden Jazz Festival he’s also played with John Surman, Tim Garland, Andy Sheppard and other premier UK jazz musicians. And if that weren’t enough, he’s also run his own label, Jazz Cat since 1995 releasing albums by Alan Skidmore, Dave O’Higgins and more.
It’s as a bandleader & recording artist however that Ben has further distinguished himself. His two volumes of the Ray Davies Songbook - an adventurous reimagining of beloved British pop songs written by the Kinks - as well as Ben’s other albums have been well-loved by jazz audiences and tonight’s show, celebrating Ben’s 75th birthday will be a retrospective of these fine works. Accompanied by a cast of wonderful musicians all of whom who have been associated with Ben through the years, John Etheridge & Chris Allard-guitars; Steve Lodder-piano/keys; Steve Waterman-trumpet; Theo Travis-sax/flute & Nic France-drums this promises to be an evening of melody, variety, joy and fun!
"An unaffectedly lyrical composer of direct and evocative melodies that draw in the uninitiated and jazz cognoscenti alike." John Fordham, London Jazz News; “...rich in memorable melodies and the playing…resonant and inventive…delightful” Jazzwise; "His compositions are colourful, beguiling and thoroughly musical" Jazz Journal; "a strong flair for melody...another highly accomplished piece of work from Crosland" The Jazz Mann
Photo by Bob Meyrick