Saxophonist Tim Whitehead does not often get a chance to visit the Midlands, so we should take advantage when he does. On Monday he brings his Colour Beginnings project to the Warwick Arts Centre.
It’s the result of a project in collaboration with the Tate Gallery in London – Tim was jazz musician in residence there and developed this music as a result of studying the paintings and drawings of JMW Turner.
The result was a most effective and evocative album – now shortlisted in the 2011 Parliamentary Jazz Awards CD of the year category – and the music should really “sing” in a live context, especially against a backdrop of Turner images.
With Tim for this tour are Liam Noble on piano, Pat Bettison on bass and Milo Fell on drums.
Tim Whitehead’s Colour Beginnings quartet is in the WAC Studio at 7.45pm. Tickets are £12 from warwickartscentre.co.uk
* Before all that there are a couple of birthdays to celebrate among the smaller gigs.
Baritone saxophonist and larger-than-life character in the old jazz tradition, Dutch Lewis celebrates his 70th at the Bearwood Corks Club tonight (Thursday). Dutch often sits in with Andy Hamilton, and no doubt takes inspiration from the man old enough to be his dad.
The joint starts jumping at 9pm, and tickets are £4 on the door.
* Friday evening’s Rush Hour Blues session in the Symphony Hall foyer features young saxophonist John Martin leading a quartet. Part of the F-IRE Collective, and with a new CD to promote, Martin writes and plays melodic jazz with world music influences.
The Rush Hour session runs from 5.30 to 7pm and is free.
