Speakers
Born in West London of Jamaican parents, Gary Crosby has been acknowledged as one of this country's pioneer Black British jazz talents and one of the most important bandleaders in the UK.
Gary studied the double bass under Peter Ind and, from starting as a member of Ed Bentley's band, went on to work with many accomplished artists such as George Lee, Frank Roberts, Peter Segona and Roger Thomas.
In 1985, Gary became one of the founder members of the Jazz Warriors, the formation of which was one of the most important events in British jazz history. Since then, he has played with other notable luminaries including Courtney Pine, Ernest Ranglin (Garys uncle), Art Farmer, Gary Bartz, Eddie Henderson, Jimmy Witherspoon, Sonny Fortune, Stanley Turrentine, Jean Toussaint, Julian Joseph, Art Blakey, Jon Hendricks, Larry Coryell, Carmen Lundy, Marlene Shaw, Vanessa Rubin, Steve Williamson, Julian Joseph, Orphy Robinson, Johnny Griffin, Cleveland Watkiss, and more.
Gary leads three key bands of his own (Gary Crosby's Nu Troop, Jazz Jamaica, Jazz Jamaica All Stars - see www.myspace.com/nutroop and www.myspace.com/jazzjamaica) providing regular employment for several young musicians. In many ways, he is regarded as a latter-day Art Blakey figure, using his own outfits as a platform for talented young artists to develop their profiles. All of his bands have toured internationally and are ranked amongst the best bands in world.
Gary is well known for his unbounded and tireless commitment to helping young people - musicians, dancers, writers and visual artists - develop successful careers in jazz, and this has been duly acknowledged by his receipt, in 1993, of a Straight No Chaser magazine award for services to the industry and, later, in his entries in the Grove Encyclopaedia of Jazz, the Guinness Book of Who's Who In Jazz, The Rough Guide To Jazz and several other music reference publications. Over the years, he has gained the respect of musicians, promoters, arts organisations and others involved in the music industry, not only for his musical skills, but also for his vision and ability to make things happen.
Source: Wikipedia |
Virtuoso pianist, bandleader, composer, arranger and broadcaster, Julian Joseph has been a leading figure on the international jazz scene for over two decades. Acclaimed by critics and audiences the world over, he never fails to inspire with his mastery of the keyboard, the versatility of his musicianship, and the seemingly limitless scope of his creative imagination.
Julian's musical ideas reflect the eclectic influence of all forms of music in the history of jazz: from classical to rock and pop, everything is relevant. A feature of a Julian Joseph concert is the wide-ranging repertoire of original compositions and arrangements upon which he draws. Challenging and innovative, they are deeply rooted in the jazz tradition and, as with all great jazz music, combine his own unique voice with those of his predecessors.
Julian is completely at home on any stage and in front of any band, whether performing solo, or leading his own trio, quartet, electric band or big band, or with full symphony orchestra. His passion for the music is always palpable, and his desire to communicate that passion compelling.
As well as four albums and a mass of original material for small band, Julian has written a number of large-scale works for big band and symphony orchestra, including 'The Great Sage' for big band and strings premiered at the 2002 London Jazz Festival, 'Mountain of Hope', 'The Reverend: Back Home to Glory', 'A Ballade of Love', 'Guardian Angel', and an arrangement of Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue' for big band, premiered at the 2003 City of London Festival. Two movements of a 5-movement suite for orchestra, 'Symphonic Story: The Great Exception', have been performed by the Halle and BBC Concert orchestras. In 2007 Julian premiered and toured his new jazz opera, 'Bridgetower: A Fable of 1807' - the story of young black violin prodigy George Bridgetower in London at the turn of the 19th century.
Source: www.julianjoseph.com
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