Jazz veteran Frank is swinging at all tempos
TONIGHT sees the return to the Scarborough Jazz at the Cask of reeds player Frank Brooker who has been described as "effortless and fluent", "a virtuoso and entertainer", "never the same music – lots of variety" and an "amazing ability to switch genres".
Frank has been playing jazz for more than 50 years and is a tremendously popular visiting guest at jazz clubs, on the pub circuit and his quartet is well known at British jazz festivals.
His career began when the trad boom was at its height and Frank found he could work seven nights a week while he was still a student.
Frank’s early influences include Jelly Roll Morton’s Red Hot Peppers and clarinettist George Lewis, whose record Burgundy Street Players got him into jazz in 1952, and since then Coleman Hawkins, Barney Bigard and Sonny Rollins are the musicians who have influenced him most.
Nowadays he presents a wide range of jazz through a diverse and interesting programme – his tenor and clarinet sounds are attractively warm and he swings at all tempos.
Promoter Mike Gordon said: “The resident trio loves to play with Frank as he always presents a different, interesting and accessible programme and he’s a great favourite with the audience.
“He also usually provides one or two vocals.”
And next Wednesday there will be proof that the north is rich in talented jazz musicians with one of the best, guitarist Pat McCarthy, making a guest appearance at The Cask.
During his career he has played with almost every UK jazz musician of note – he is a member of Jamil Sheriff’s Octet, as well as Laura Fowles Quartet, and recently has been playing with Gareth Williams, John Horler, Spike Wells and Dave Green.
His early inspiration came from listening to the recordings of Wes Montgomery, Barney Kessel and Django Reinhardt.
Pat was described as “a world class guitarist” by the late Humphrey Lyttlelton and will be backed by The Mike Gordon Trio during next week’s appearance.
This gig will be the first of the Winter Programme and for further information people are advised to visit www.scarboroughjazz.co.uk
Both gigs start at 8.45pm.
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Weather for Scarborough
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
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Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
