"London born bassist Alison Rayner is one of the most versatile and creative bass players on the UK scene. For the past two years her quintet ARQ has

         
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"London born bassist Alison Rayner is one of the most versatile and creative bass players on the UK scene. For the past two years her quintet ARQ has built a substantial and wide ranging audience for their deliciously upbeat, groovy and thoughtful jazz”

Jazz UK

“August could hardly represent a sharper reminder to the British jazz world of the breadth and depth of Alison Rayner’s often unsung talents”

John Fordham (August)

“A master-class in empathetic playing with superb solos and a rhythm section of the highest calibre. Don't miss these virtuoso musicians when they come to town.”

Phil Webb, Restormel Arts, South Cornwall

“In a Jazz age with an abundance of technical excellence – and ARQ have it in great quantity – we look for something else as well. ARQ bring to the stage a musical bond that is expressed in such fun and joyful moments that it is a pleasure to be in the room with them. Jazz of the highest quality.”

Phil Rose, Birmingham Jazz

August Album Cover

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“The recent album August shows her to be a superb composer… a perfect showcase of Rayner’s diverse talents”

Jazz UK

“…a great and groovy disc that showcases the bassist at her most creative, both as a player and arranger.”

Jazz UK

After nearly forty years as a bass player and composer, Alison Rayner stepped out of the shadows and took the plunge with her first album as a leader, August, recorded live at London’s Vortex Jazz Club.

After extensive touring in the UK, supported by Jazz Services and lauded by both audiences and promoters, ARQ has started work on their second album – A Magic Life – for release Autumn 2016. They are now previewing new material on their forthcoming tour dates and audiences who will, no doubt, be keen to hear what Alison has to say next.

>>CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO<<

In ARQ, Alison Rayner has gathered a group of fine musicians who sympathetically support her music: Steve Lodder piano, Deirdre Cartwright guitar, Diane McLoughlin saxophones and Buster Birch drums. The group’s imaginative and assured playing are superbly suited to Rayner’s compositions and reflect a confidence inspired by working intensively together, touring her first album 'August'.

The new album ‘A Magic Life’ will be released in Autumn 2016 and is bursting with melodic and harmonic references. It follows on from the success of their acclaimed début album August, with it’s funky grooves and influences of roots and folk musics.

"I was inspired to call the album 'A Magic Life' because of two recent incidents."

Rayner cites both Charlie Haden and Eberhard Weber as influences – but there is always a strong sense of Rayner’s musical personality evident in the poignant folk melodies, rootsy grooves and improvisational invention.

‘I was inspired to call the album A Magic Life because of two recent incidents. I went to the funeral of a friend who wrote movingly on how magic her life had been; then a chance encounter with a young boy, who asked me "Is music stronger than magic?" I replied that music is a merging of magic and logic. It has set me on a course of thinking about the connection between mortality, memory, mystery, magic – and music.’

ARQ will be touring to promote ‘A Magic Life’ from Autumn 2016.

Upcoming Gigs

2016
29 May London Karamel Club (album preview gig)
Sept 16 Fleece Jazz
Sept 25 Scarborough Jazz Festival
October 8 Brighton Verdict
October 9 Bristol Hen and Chickens
October 13 Nottingham Jazztrane
October 16 Ashburton Live, South Devon
October 17 Appledore Beaver Inn, North Devon
October 18 St Ives Jazz Club
November 25 Birmingham Jazz

2017
March 8 Sheffield Lescar
March 11 Leeds Heart
March 23 Poole Sound Cellar (plus workshop)
March 24 Exeter (plus workshop)
April 2 Colchester Jazz Club

ARQ Alison Rayner

Bookings

Danielle White +44(0)1302 714202 / +44(0)7841675263
daniraestar@aol.com
www.blowthefuse.com
MUSIC AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

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reach out to promoters and beyond with your message, photos and videos via Raestar Promotions | Danielle White +44 (0)7841 675 263| daniraestar@aol.com | www.daniraestar.com

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