Jazz musicians Howard Alden and Trefor Owen _320
DESPITE its popularity in Liverpool, jazz features remarkably little in the city’s cultural celebrations for 2008.
So step forward the North Wales Jazz Society, who have joined forces with Liverpool Community College to present a special 2008 jazz concert.
The International Jazz Guitar Spectacular, at the college next Tuesday, will mark Liverpool’s role as European Capital of Culture by “celebrating the links between the USA, the Port of Liverpool and North Wales”.
“It seems to be one of the very few jazz events included in the year’s celebrations,” explains the jazz society’s long-serving director, Maureen Hopkins.
It will feature three of the very best guitarists in the world, each representing the USA, Liverpool and North Wales. Howard Alden will be representing the USA, possibly best known here for playing on Woody Allen’s jazz film drama, Sweet and Lowdown.
It was he who played the swinging guitar, which on film appeared to be played by Sean Penn as leading character Emmet Ray.
Indeed, Alden showed Penn where to place his fingers on the guitar to give a pretty good idea of Alden’s playing. Penn ended up with an Academy Award nomination.
Alden is a brilliant player in his own right, having been discovered by big band leader Woody Herman and recording a much-applauded series of jazz albums under his own name and with others. Most recently, he appeared at Ronnie Scott’s in London and New York’s Birdland club with a Sinatra Birthday tribute performance.
Gary Potter will be flying the guitar flag for Liverpool, a self-taught guitarist who emerged from playing country music to jazz.
His amazing technique has delighted fans from Europe and the USA to Australia and while jazz is his preferred genre, he can play in others with equal efficiency.
Trefor Owen, from Anglesey, has also toured extensively, notably from New York to California.
He is a popular player in the North Wales International Jazz Guitar Festival and as a guitar teacher is a visiting lecturer at Liverpool Community College.
Also appearing will be Wirral-born jazz violinist Billy Thompson – for eight years a member of Barbara Thompson’s jazz/rock outfit Paraphernalia – guitarist Andy Hulme and bass player Bill Coleman.
* JAZZ Guitar Spectacular on April 15, 7.30pm, Liverpool Community College Arts Centre, Myrtle Street, Liverpool. Tickets £12 (concs £9). 0151 252 4351.
