★ Winners: Jazz Ensemble of the Year 2018 Parliamentary Jazz Awards

★ Shortlisted: Best Small Group 2018 British Jazz Awards

★ Alison Rayner Runner-up: Best Double Bass 2018 British Jazz Awards

ARQ: Alison Rayner Quintet

Described by LondonJazz News as ‘a celebration of life itself’ ARQ’s music is ‘inventive, vibrantly colourful and unfailingly melodic, possessed of a strong sense of narrative and cinematic quality, frequently inspired by personal experiences’ (the jazzmann.com). Their combination of richly nuanced compositions with folk-infused grooves, skilful musicianship and a love of improvisation, creates a compelling and coherent whole. ARQ play 'songs without words' and are known for their vibrant, communicative performances.

ARQ are currently previewing new music from their third album – working title ‘Short Stories’ – to be released later this year. They have UK festivals and club dates over this Spring and Summer, with national touring Autumn 2019-Spring 2020 to promote the new album.

Individually, the group's track record includes work with such international artists as Carla Bley, Andy Sheppard, George Russell, John Harle, The Guest Stars, Marjorie Whylie, Sharon Freeman, Jayne Cortez, Tal Farlow and BBC TV’s Rockschool series, broadcasted in both the UK and USA.

ARQ: The Players

Alison Rayner – double bass
Buster Birch – drums
Deirdre Cartwright – guitar
Diane McLoughlin – saxophones
Steve Lodder – piano

Live review:

‘The playing, both individually and collectively was superb throughout and although Rayner only undertook one genuine solo, her bass playing was always at the heart of the music. But in many ways the quintet IS her instrument. Rayner’s late blooming into a composer of some stature is one of the most satisfying stories of British jazz in recent years.’

Ian Mann thejazzmann.com
READ FULL REVIEW HERE

‘Inspired by real-world ideas, people and situations but infused with the kind of heady imagination that transforms their resonances into a series of vivacious musical adventures’

★★★★★ BBC Music Magazine

‘Purposeful, full-toned and melodic… a beautifully integrated band’

★★★★ The Observer READ FULL REVIEW HERE

‘A gorgeous album synthesising mood, melody and the interplay between musicians totally at home with each other.’

★★★★Jazzwise

‘Unified musical dexterity, not a note wasted and with sound as story — clear and undisguised, deeply affecting and unashamedly open’

The Morning Star READ FULL REVIEW HERE

>>NEW VIDEO: CROAJINGALONG BUSHWALK>>

CLICK LINKS BELOW TO LISTEN TO SAMPLE TRACKS FROM 'A MAGIC LIFE'
MUSICOPHILIA
A MAGIC LIFE
THE TRUNK CALL
MAY DAY

>>CLICK FOR LIVE VIDEO RECORDED AT LONDON PIZZA EXPRESS<<

Promoter Reviews

‘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

‘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

Forthcoming Dates:

2019 dates:

April 5 London MAP Studio Café
May 30 London Vortex Jazz Club
May 31 Lichfield Jazz & Blues Festival
June 8 Bromley Youth Music Trust
June 27 Hampstead Jazz Club
June 28 Orpington Jazz Club
August 25 Aberjazz Festival
September 29 London Albany Empire
September 30 Ashburton Live, Devon
October 1 St Ives Jazz Club
October 11 Bracknell Jazz Club
October 12 Marsden Jazz Festival
November 8 Wakefield Jazz Club
November 9 Brighton Verdict
November 15 London Jazz Festival

Further tour dates booked in 2020.
NOW BOOKING ARQ WELCOMES ENQUIRIES FROM FESTIVALS, CLUBS, ART CENTRES AND GIGS IN GENERAL

CONTACT

Alison Rayner
+44 (0)7973 799415
Email
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