Arts: Sax with soul.Byline: with Joe Riley JAZZ superstar Courtney Pine Courtney Pine (born 18 March 1964) is a British jazz musician. At school he studied clarinet, although he is known primarily for his saxophone playing. Pine is a multi-instrumentalist, also playing the flute, clarinet and keyboards. is a champion of the adage: ``It's not just what you play, it's the way that you play it.'' The musician who put the sex appeal back into sax playing by splicing pop, reggae and hiphop, is headlining at the Wirral Jazz Festival Noun 1. jazz festival - a festival that features performances by jazz artists festival, fete - an organized series of acts and performances (usually in one place); "a drama festival" . But he insists that the heart and soul of jazz remains imaginative improvisation. ``It helps stir the real emotions,'' he insists. ``Improvisation is a conversation between musicians, just like we are having an interview.'' Adds Courtney: ``And it's not new. Composers like Bach did it. ``It all helps to make music more human, and our show is still based around it. ``Although we obviously play repertoire pieces with defined roots, it's nice to have the freedom to turn around and give the guitarist or the drummer an impromptu solo. ``Who knows? That's what live performance is about.'' Courtney Pine topped the bill at Southport's Jazz Festival just four months ago. Crossing the river to Wirral is all part of the London-based musician's steadfast patronage of British jazz Jazz in Britain has been performed in the country since shortly after the music's first appearance on record in 1917. A number of British musicians have gained international reputations, although adherents of this music have often felt embattled within the UK itself. festivals. ``A festival concentrates the format and appeals to fans. ``With big events like the North Sea Festival, I might be in one place for up to 10 days. And that means I get paid to listen to other people's music as well, which is great.'' Courtney, who will be appearing at the festival with his band, burst on to the UK jazz scene in 1986. In the space of a year, he played with Elvin Jones's band, helped set up the Jazz Warriors, worked with Charlie Watts' Orchestra, toured with George Russell, and guested with Art Blakey at the Camden Jazz Festival. Now, with more than a dozen albums to his credit, his music has taken on a pronounced hiphop flavour. Clearly, Courtney is a player who dislikes strict definitions, and he has earned himself extra cred cred Noun Slang short for credibility Noun 1. cred - credibility among young fashionable urban individuals street cred, street credibility with many mainstream pop fans by recording with the Pet Shop Boys. Fusion, funk, salsa, big band and contemporary styles, as well as traditional, all have a place on the jazz stage, he insists. ``In the beginning, it was musicians trying to express their culture, which was basically African. ``But now those influences have expanded. ``I enjoy garage music. Stick around, and you may hear the odd scar tune or reggae line thrown in.'' The Wirral line-up also includes the Stan Tracey Stanley William Tracey (born December 30, 1926 in Denmark Hill, South London) is a UK jazz pianist and composer, most influenced by Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk. Early career Trio, the Climax Blues band, Jazz Cruise, the Branco Stoysin Trio, the Toni James Group and the Cameron Pierre Group. Festival director Rob Smith said: ``We are very excited about this year's programme, with a host of national and international names.'' l Courtney Pine is at the Floral Pavilion, New Brighton New Brighton, village (1990 pop. 22,207), Ramsey co., SE Minn., a suburb of Minneapolis–Saint Paul; inc. 1891. Its manufactures include metal products, machinery, and leather. A theological seminary is there. , on September 22 (8pm). l Full festival details on 0151-647 0752. CAPTION(S): STIRRING THE EMOTIONS: Superstar sax player Courtney Pine headlines the Wirral Jazz Festival |
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