Brandon Allen 'Some Kinda' Mean'
Brandon Allen relocated to London in 2000 from Perth, Western Australia and since then, he has performed extensively with top UK and international artists, in jazz & pop and everything in between. For well over 10 years, Brandon has been the saxophonist with Kyle Eastwood, recording and touring globally with Kyle’s various projects. In addition though, he co-leads OMAR + QCBA, an exciting collaboration with UK trumpet player Quentin Collins and legendary soul singer Omar Lyefook, as well as various other groups, such as ‘Celebrating the Tough Tenors’ with Alex Garnett. He’s also been featured with numerous other high-profile musicians - Eric Clapton, Paloma Faith, Jools Holland, Keith Tippett and many many more - which gives you an idea of just how good he is.
The programme tonight will showcase the music of American jazz, blues and R&B saxophonist/flautist David "Fathead" Newman (1933-2009). Discovered by Ray Charles, with whom he then worked for over a decade, Newman's CV also included straight ahead albums with saxophonists Stanley Turrentine & James Clay, collaborations with Hammond organists Jimmy McGriff and Lonnie Smith and various soul jazz/funk releases on the Atlantic and Prestige labels. For this endeavour Brandon has put together a superb group of players, guitarist Nick Costley-White, keyboardist Hamish Balfour, bassist Mirko Scarcia and drummer Rod Youngs.
‘…a saxophone heavyweight, at the height of his powers…’ Blues and Soul Magazine; ‘Muscular and robust one moment, warm and soothing another, stretching out with an abrasive edge’ Jazz Journal; 'Brandon Allen is arguably the most exciting tenor player in Britain today. His phrasing is unashamedly emotional, soaked in the blues tradition.' Jazzwise