Chris Hodgkins is perhaps best known for his 29 years as Director of Jazz Services, the UK’s national support organisation for jazz. Chris is a fine trumpeter and composer in his own right, as well as being a tireless champion for British jazz. In the 1970s and 80s, The Chris Hodgkins Band made a name for itself supporting the likes of Buddy Tate, Humphrey Lyttelton, Kathy Stobart, Bud Freeman, Dick Carey, Joe Temperley, Howard McGhee, Peanuts Hucko, Benny Waters and Wild Bill Davison who described them as “a hell of a good band”. They also made a number of television and radio appearances. He stepped down as Director of Jazz Services in May 2014. With his days of administration behind him, Chris now takes to the road, the radio and the recording studio to focus on playing the music he loves. His album Boswells’ London Journal co-composed with Eddie Harvey received the Evening Standard, Jazz CD of the Week . Chris was awarded the Services to Jazz Award at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards in March 2015.
Special Guest Alison Rayner
Chris Hodgkins' long time collaborator Alison Rayner spent five years in the 80's with critically acclaimed jazz/Latin group The Guest Stars, touring all major international jazz venues and festivals and recording three albums.
Alison currently leads ARQ, her contemporary jazz quintet, described as ‘a beautifully integrated band’ ** by Dave Gelly in the Observer; ARQ have built a substantial and wide ranging audience over the past three years of touring. Their recent second album ‘A Magic Life’ has had national and international radio play, with outstanding reviews in the jazz and national press.
