Rising star Emily Masser is an astonishing vocalist. Still just 20 years of age and attending The Guildhall School of Music, her range, variation and seemingly effortless delivery reflect a confidence and ability which belie her years.
As a finalist at the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2020, winner of the Rising Star category in the 2019 British Jazz Awards and Jazz Newcomer of the Year nominee in the 2021 & 2022 Parliamentary Jazz Awards, Alex Clarke is one of the most in-demand and versatile young reeds players to have emerged on the British jazz scene. Praised for her extensive repertoire list and intelligent ear for harmony, her sound is steeped in the tradition of bebop and her deep respect for the heritage of the music can be heard in a hard-swinging, melodic approach reminiscent of Scott Hamilton and Lester Young, with strong bop influences of Phil Woods and Cannonball Adderley.
With one of the UK’s top pianists. Rob Barron , the ultra-swinging drummer Steve Brown (Scott Hamilton, Barry Harris) and Guildford Jazz’s Marianne Windham on bass.
We are delighted to welcome this fantastic quintet to Guildford Jazz to open our Autumn Season!
++ Pre gig Indo Chinese menu from Mandira’s Kitchen (see menu on the Event Info tab. Please note food orders close on Monday 2nd))
*** SOLD OUT, please contact us if you would like to be notified of any returns, thank you ***
EVENT INFO
The performance is upstairs in Guildford Pavilion, The Sports Ground, Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP
Please note there are no physical tickets, just give your name on the door when you arrive. There’ll be seating reserved for you.
Doors open from 7pm, supper served from 7.15pm, and the performance starts at 8pm. There will be an interval and there is a licensed bar. Seating is cabaret style and there is a lift for disabled access.
++ Pre gig menu from Mandira’s Kitchen:
Vegetable Spring Rolls
Calcutta Chilli Chicken or Gobi Manchurian (Cauliflower tossed in a tangy sauce)
Schezwan Fried Rice
Prawn/Vegetable Crackers
TICKETS
Full Price £20 /Guildford Jazz members £18
Students £7 / Student Members £5
Meals £13
WHO'S PLAYING?
EMILY MASSER
Emily Masser is a 20-year-old jazz singer and saxophonist from Wigan currently studying at London’s Guildhall School of Music. Besides the superb musical education she received at Manchester’s famous Chetham’s School of Music, Emily was also given invaluable guidance in jazz by her father, the highly respected saxophonist Dean Masser.
Emily gained attention and approval from jazz luminaries Claire Martin and Liane Carroll. Her breakthrough came as a member of The Clark Tracey Quintet, with the release of their acclaimed album, "Introducing Emily Masser” consisting of Emily’s arrangements and vocals. This album enhanced her already existing presence on the scene and gained significant support from the jazz community, marking her as a “New star of British jazz”
ALEX CLARKE
As a finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2020, winner of the Rising Star category in the 2019 British Jazz Awards and nominee in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2021 & 2022, Alex is known to be one of the most in-demand and versatile saxophonists to have emerged on the British jazz scene.
Praised for her intelligent ear for harmony and a deep knowledge of repertoire across a broad spectrum of styles, Alex's sound is steeped in the tradition of bebop. Her total respect for the heritage of the music can be heard in a fiery, melodic approach inspired by the likes of Phil Woods, Cannonball Adderley and Vincent Herring.
In summer 2022, she released her quartet's latest album “Only A Year”, which features some of the UK’s finest musicians: David Newton, Dave Green and Clark Tracey. Since then, the Alex Clarke Quartet have gone on to make numerous appearances at jazz clubs and festivals such as Peggy's Skylight, Southport Jazz Festival and Scarborough Jazz Festival.
As well as working as a bandleader, Alex performs alongside many notable names such as Alan Barnes, Bruce Adams and Art Themen, and has worked with prestigious big bands such as The Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra and The Simon Spillett Big Band. She is also a member of The Clark Tracey Quintet, who have an upcoming CD release and tour in Spring 2024.
Outside of jazz, Alex has had much experience playing a variety of music from Ska and Motown, to folk and prog rock. She is equally comfortable working alongside DJs for private and corporate functions. As a session musician, Alex has recorded for projects ranging from folk to Northern soul, including sessions at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London.
As an educator, Alex worked at Warwick School for 3 years as their Music Assistant, as well as tutoring for organisations such as The National Youth Jazz Collective at workshops, Summer Schools and Saxophone Days across the country. She is also available for private tuition online, and in person in the Warwickshire area.. Alex is proud to be an official Vandoren Artist, using their reeds and accessories across all horns.
ROB BARRON
Rob Barron is a first call pianist highly regarded for his improvisational flair, innate musicality and a deft touch that reveal influences inspired by Blue Note greats Cedar Walton, Wynton Kelly and Sonny Clark. His love for the piano came at an early age and quickly developed into a prodigious talent for musical expression, anchored by a deep respect for musical history and culture. Graduating from Leeds College of Music with a BA Hons in Jazz Studies, Rob received the prestigious College Award for Outstanding Performance and went on to gain his Masters Degree in Music Performance at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Rob has flourished in the rich environment of the London jazz scene, entertaining audiences by performing with visiting American and European jazz musicians Phil Woods, Grant Stewart, Patti Austin, Al Jarreau, Marlena Shaw, Dmirty Baevsky, Fabien Mary and John Marshall to name a few. Featuring on many movie soundtracks, most prominently Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby, Rob’s session work includes such names as The BBC Big Band, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Jamie Cullum, Claire Martin, Liane Carroll and Rachel Portman. He has appeared on over than thirty albums. His own piano trio was formed 2012. Performing regularly at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club, their engaging blend of musical creativity led them to open for The Louis Hayes Quartet, The Kenny Barron Trio and Cecile McLorin Salvant. Rob’s album, From This Moment On, released in October 2020 received a 5 star review from BBC Music Magazine, citing “This is classic piano trio jazz at it’s very best.” The album has already had over 7 million plays on digital streaming platforms.
Dedicated to pushing himself to greater heights, Rob regularly dives into the New York scene to study with some of the best pianists in the city, including Mike LeDonne, Michael Weiss, Michael Kanan and David Hazeltine. Rob also spends his time as professor of jazz piano at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
STEVE BROWN
Steve has become one of the most sought after and sensitive drummers in the country and since studying in New York in the early 1990s has worked with almost every major British artist, as well as many visiting American musicians. Steve is a long term colleague of tenor star Scott Hamilton and his studio credits include albums with Stacey Kent, Dave Newton, Andy Panayi and various groups for Alan Barnes's Woodville label.
DIRECTIONS
The performance is upstairs in the Pavilion building at the Guildford County Cricket Club, The Sports Ground, Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP
For sat navs please check the postcode takes you to Wharf Road. There’s a car park alongside, entry from Wharf Road. If you’re approaching from Guildford town centre, Wharf Road is on the left just before the Sports Ground. If you’re approaching from the A3/Ladymead there’s no right turn into Wharf Road, but continue to the next roundabout to double back.
The car park next to the Pavilion holds about 40 cars (to enable emergency access, cars can only park in the marked bays). Unless it’s very wet, the overflow car park at the far end of the Cricket ground will be open.
To access the overflow car park, turn left as you come out of Wharf Road and carry on along Woodbridge Road towards the railway bridge, and the entrance to the ground is just before the end of the green fence that runs along the perimeter of the ground, next to the Woodbridge Café.
You might prefer to use one of the larger public car parks which are just a few minutes walk away: the open air Mary Road Car Park (GU1 4QU) or multi-storey Bedford Road Car Park (GU1 4SJ)
SEATING
Seating is either in front row settees/armchairs, central round tables, or rear high chairs/tables. Seats will be reserved for you when you book. If you’re a Guildford Jazz member, please let us know if you have a seating preference in on the booking form. Notes on the layout:
Front row: Seats 1 to 5 are sofas or armchairs
Middle tables: Tables 6 to 23 and 32 are small tables , each seating 4 (for bookings of 1 or 2 seats, we’ll seat you at a table with others, please let us know if you have friends coming who you’d like to sit with!).
Rear tables: Tables 24 to 29 are tall tables suitable for 2 people, with high stools.
Groups: Table 31 and 32 are suitable for larger group of 6 or more
High stools : 30 and 34 are single high stools (no table) , suitable for 1 to 3 people