JBGB Events present

Alan Barnes Sherlock Holmes Suite – (The Sound of the Baskervilles)

This Sunday evening full-length musical/literary performance, by the Alan Barnes Octet explores the characters, atmosphere and stories of Sherlock Holmes by means of readings, commentary, and a set of brilliant original jazz compositions.

The composer, creator  lead soloist, and narrator is Alan Barnes; a multi-award-winning multi-instrumentalist, and the all star Octet comprises a line up of multi award winners

Alan Barnes- saxophones, clarinet; Martin Shaw- trumpet; Mark Nightingale-trombone; Mark Crooks – saxophones and clarinet; Bob Sydor – saxophones and flute; David Newton- piano; Simon Thorpe- bass & Clark Tracey- drums.

The musical portraits depict Dr Watson, Moriarty, the Tiger of San Pedro, the Baker Street Irregulars, “the footprints of a gigantic hound”, and of course Holmes himself. The music is descriptive: The Dancing Men is a dance macabre for stick men and woodwind, The Hound of the Baskervilles is set for baying trombone as Sir Henry runs for his life, and Moriarty, the Nemesis of Holmes, justifies his sinister Ellingtonian march.

Barnes likes to say that he discovered Sherlock Holmes and Charlie Parker at the same time in his life. And in his imagination the pea-soupers of London’s Baker Street meld seamlessly into the reefer-smoke of the basement clubs of New York’s 52nd Street.

The narration by Barnes – “he could be a comedian, if jazz ever fails him” – Guardian,  is humorous yet full of affection for these unique characters and stories.

This event is un-missable for anyone who likes Sherlock Holmes, swinging jazz, intrigue and mystery.

Hail a Hansom or flag a cab – the game is afoot! – The Hoste Of Jazz