Alan Barnes Octet – “Copperfield” Suite

Just in time for Christmas we present “Copperfield” – a new jazz suite from Alan Barnes takes the audience through the characters and scenes of ‘David Copperfield’. Readings from Dickens tell the story, and after each scene eight virtuoso musicians bring the characters and scenes to life, switching audiences from hilarity to pathos with a skill that would have done credit to Dickens himself.

The band comprises: Alan Barnes (saxophone/clarinets), Bruce Adams (trumpet), Mark Nightingale (trombone), Robert Fowler (saxophone), Karen Sharp (saxophone), David Newton (piano), Simon Thorpe (bass), Clark Tracey (drums)

This new suite of pieces takes the audience through the characters and scenes of ‘David Copperfield”. Readings from the original Dickens tell the story, and after each scene eight virtuoso musicians bring the characters and scenes to life, switching audiences from hilarity to pathos with a skill that would have done credit to Dickens himself!

A cheery clarinet plays Copperfield, the lost orphan Little Em’ly is a lyrical tenor, Mr Dick flies his kite in the personage of a soaring flugelhorn and trombone, Mr Micawber expresses “Something will turn up!”on the piano and Uriah Heep writhes around on the bass clarinet. Just as we see David progress through the trials of his life, so the movements of this suite seem to develop along with him.

The music and readings inspire the full range of Dickens’s imagination and emotion: from loneliness and remorse through to love and then irresistible joy.

​”Barnes is a true Dickensian. He is a serious reader of the novels. It is a clear blunder of providence that he was born too late to appear in their pages!” Hot News.

Opening the evening 7.15-7.45pm will be York pianist Karl Mullen, playing solo blues and boogie piano

Alan Barnes Octet -“Copperfield” Suite @Seven Arts Thursday 15th December Doors 7pm, Music 7.15-10pm £20/18.

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