The Brandon Allen Groove Band
Brandon Allen is an expat Australian saxophonist who has made quite an impression on the scene since taking up residence in London. His wonderfully fluent and incisive sax playing has been heard in prestigious venues and festivals around the world, including the Womad World Music Festival, Reading Festival, Brecon Jazz Festival, The Vittoria and Terrassa Jazz Festivals in Spain, Manly Jazz Festival in Australia and the London Jazz Festival while working with the likes of Eric Clapton, Mica Paris, Jools Holland, Omar and the Kyle Eastwood Band-that’s just how good he is! Highly regarded here at the 606, he performs regularly leading not just his fabulous Sextet, but also his acclaimed, thoughtfully-crafted tributes to sax legends Stanley Turrentine & Gene Ammons.
This show however will mark the debut of Brandon’s ambitious new project, his new Groove Band. Influenced by Lalo Schifrin, Eddie Harris, Weather Report, Herbie and Vangelis and featuring a dream line-up (Mike Outram-guitar, Jim Watson-keyboards, Laurence Cottle-bass & Jamie Murray-drums), you’ll be hearing funky basslines, otherworldly drum grooves, soaring synthesizers and intricate, intoxicating melodic sax and guitar lines. Top calibre gig.
‘…a saxophone heavyweight, at the height of his powers…’ Blues and Soul Magazine; “Brandon Allen is arguably the most exciting tenor player in Britain today” Jazzwise; "Swing, invention and stunning instrumental technique... a world class performance" Evening Standard; "His four-octave range and flawless command of the altissimo register was nicely offset by his full-bodied yet raucous tonal quality offering something for fans of the entire history of the instrument- from Hawkins to Brecker- he's got 'em covered." London Jazz