Fraser Smith w. Special Guest: Chuck Israels
Describing himself as ‘a practical scholar’, Birmingham-born Fraser Smith picked up the saxophone aged 15. Drawn to the music from the golden age of jazz associated with Kansas City in the 40’s to New York in the 60’s, Fraser honed his craft on the bandstand, playing from 25-300 gigs a year at top venues in the UK and abroad.With a focus on swing Fraser channels the sound and language of the “big US Tenor men” and has built a significant reputation on the UK scene. Including work alongside the likes of US stars Harry Allen and Chuck Redd his latest album was streamed 1.3 million times. This year Fraser will release his most ambitious project yet featuring US sax legend Harry Allen. The album was recorded in Paris with a carefully selected European rhythm section and will be released on French label Zoot Collective Records.
Chuck Israels is a composer/arranger/bassist who has worked with Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock, J.J. Johnson, John Coltrane, and many others. He is best known for his work with the Bill Evans Trio from 1961 through 1966 and for his pioneering accomplishments in Jazz Repertory as Director of the National Jazz Ensemble from 1973 to 1981.
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"Smith...Nonchalantly confident and very hard swinging" London Jazz News