Chris Hodgkins Quartet on Tour November 2012

Cardiff-raised trumpeter Chris Hodgkins returns to Wales to play dates with his accomplished four-piece jazz outfit. Chris leads his quartet through a selection of tunes from his previously released albums, plus the quartet will be playing a range of other material - from standards to bebop anthems and original tunes contributed by the band members; Alison Rayner, Diane McLoughlin, Chris Hodgkins and with arrangements by Max Brittain. The quartet will also be appearing at the Spice of Life London in a double bill with Trish Clowes, who was recently named as BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist 2012-14

Chris Hodgkins - TRUMPET
Alison Rayner - DOUBLE BASS
Max Brittain - GUITAR
Diane McLoughlin - ALTO SAX

Chris uses his fine tone and time to hold interest with the lightly decorated melodies, and cuts loose confidently for his well-shaped and executed solos - Jazz Journal

Accomplished playing, astute and imaginative material” - The Jazz Rag

Chris can surprise any audience lucky enough to hear him - Digby Fairweather

Chris Hodgkins’ best album yet… a tuneful tribute to Dr Johnson’s biographer craftily arranged and gracefully played - Jack Massarik, Evening Standard Jazz CD of the Week

Chris Hodgkins and Eddie Harvey, his co-composer and arranger, pull one off in style….enjoyable, witty and swinging album….and some terrific ensemble playing from the mellow horns of Hodgkins plus Diane McLoughlin - Alison Kerr, Scotland on Sunday

Chris launches his new web site – www.complaintsinwonderland.co.uk

www.complaintsinwonderland.co.uk is a website devoted to challenging the daft comments in the media and the evasions and obfuscations of various self-important institutions. The website contains correspondence deals with a range of commercial and non-commercial organisations, from banks to companies and quangos who deliver lousy service but labour under the delusion that they are veritable “captains of industry”. Chris Hodgkins says: “Over the years I have been writing letters of complaint. I soon learnt that some people take themselves so seriously that the only way to deal with them is to inject as much humour as possible into the correspondence and then sometimes, as these people seem to have the armour plating of a dreadnought, frankness is required. In the interests of fairness I have also published letters of complaint that have been dealt with in a positive and exemplary manner.

If you enjoy reading these letters, articles and published letters I would be grateful if you could donate to Jazz Services Keep Jazz on the Road: www.jazzservices.org.uk Jazz Services is a registered charity that provides support, advice and information for UK jazz promoting its growth, accessibility and development in the UK and abroad. In the past three years Jazz Services has toured 142 bands to 1,376 gigs. They also supported 54 promoters on their small jazz promoter’s scheme. Jazz Services runs a website that publishes 2000 gig listings a month, and a magazine – Jazz UK - that publishes news, reviews, features and interviews about the people who make the music. All this is designed to help Jazz Services Keep Jazz on the Road. The bad news is that Jazz Services has had to endure a hefty funding cut – and they are not alone – jazz promoters up and down the country are feeling the pinch. This means that there’s suddenly a lot less money to pass around to promoters and musicians. As jazz can no longer rely on traditional funding sources, they are asking for help from the most important people in the jazz world: the listeners”.

Tour Dates

Wednesday 21st November 2012 - 8pm £8/£7 (concessions or Span members)
The Dingle Club
Springfield Gardens, Jesse Road, Narberth, 01834 869323
Tickets available from span-arts.org.uk.

Thursday 22nd November 2012 - 8.30pm £7/£6
Café Jazz
St Mary Street, Cardiff, 02920 387026 cafejazzcardiff.com.

Friday 23rd November 2012 - 8pm £7
Town Hall
Grosmont, Abergavenny
Tickets available from Margie, The Angel, Grosmont

Saturday 24th November 2012 - 8pm £10 includes a complimentary drink
The Washington Gallery
Penarth
Tickets available 029 2071 2100

Thursday 29th November 2012 - Doors 6pm, music 8-11pm £10/£8 student/advance
The Spice of Life
6 Moor Street, London W1.
Chris Hodgkins Quartet + Trish Clowes Quartet
Pre-bookings tel/text 07870915682; info@spicejazz.co.uk; www.wegottickets.com; spicejazz.co.uk.

"Chris uses his fine tone and time to hold interest with the lightly decorated melodies, and cuts loose confidently for his well shaped and executed solos" - JAZZ JOURNAL

"Chris can surprise any audience lucky enough to hear him" - DIGBY FAIRWEATHER

"Accomplished playing, astute and imaginative material" - THE JAZZ RAG

Boswell’s London Journal, by Chris Hodgkins Quartet, is out now. Order Boswell's London Journal by the Chris Hodgkins Quartet from Jazz CDs:

 

photo courtesy Mike Jackson

"...talented trumpeter, Chris Hodgkins, who plays in the unfashionable classic style of Ruby Braff and the great Louis Armstrong... this is his best album yet... a tuneful tribute to Dr Johnson's biographer, craftily arranged and gracefully played" - JACK MASSARIK on Boswell’s London Journal, Evening Standard Jazz CD of the Week

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