Fleece Jazz

Bringing his quintet to Fleece Jazz for a pre-festive season treat, Alan Barnes has been at the forefront of British jazz since 1980, and his musicianship and sense of humour have made him hugely popular in jazz clubs and festivals across the UK and beyond. He is best known for his work on clarinet, alto and baritone saxes, where he combines a formidable virtuosity with outstanding musical expression. 

The quintet, which consistently features Bruce Adams on trumpet, has been performing for nearly 30 years delivering straight-ahead hard bop, with a repertoire from the classic years and an emphasis on accessibility, good humour and a conviction that jazz should swing.

Bruce Adams is one of the jazz scene’s most dramatic and stimulating performers; he has been a regular winner of jazz polls and with his spectacular range and power on the instrument he has been in demand as a lead musician.  He has often worked as a special guest soloist with both the Scottish Radio Orchestra and the BBC Big Band.

David Newton has been voted ‘Best Jazz Pianist sixteen times by the jazz audience of the UK. Over the years he has become a much sought after pianist, teaming up with Barnes, guitarist Martin Taylor and saxophonist Don Weller. Later, he gained a reputation as an exquisite accompanist for singers such as Marion Montgomery, Tina May, Annie Ross, Claire Martin and Stacey Kent. 

Andrew Cleyndert started out in the bands of Don Weller and Bobby Wellins and has since flourished on the jazz scene in the UK and beyond.  He has played and toured with the cream of the UK’s musicians and a string of international soloists, including Stan Tracey, Bud Shank, George Coleman, Ray Bryant, Lee Konitz and James Moody. 

Clark Tracey is a well-established jazz master who is recognised as an inventive jazz drummer and as a proven group leader, writer and arranger, having appeared over many years with the world’s jazz greats. He creates educational Master Classes across the U.K. and continues to be an in-demand performer across the world.

“Barnes plays music that was radical 50 years ago - hard, urban post-bop - but he infuses it with so much passion and energy you could believe it was minted on the spot, which is always part of the story with jazz." John L. Walters, The Guardian

• Alan Barnes - Saxophones
• Bruce Adams - Trumpet
• David Newton - Piano
• Andrew Cleyndert - Double Bass
• Clark Tracey - Drums

Fleece Jazz is an independent, non-profit association run by a voluntary committee who have been providing modern and contemporary jazz for 28 years. They book talented musicians and jazz bands from the UK and beyond to perform at Stoke by Nayland Resort, providing the perfect backdrop for these cherished and popular events.

Fleece Jazz events are generally held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.