Alan Barnes Octet - Copperfield: A Dickensian Jazz Suite [CD]

Cat. no: WVCD153
Format: CD
Barcode: 5060966700197
Release Date: 28 Oct 2022
Genre: Jazz

This new suite of pieces from the esteemed jazz saxophonist/composer Alan Barnes, takes you through the characters and scenes of David Copperfeld, alongside his octet made up the fnest players on the UK scene, including Bruce Adams, Mark Nightingale, Karen Sharp, David Newton and Clark Tracey

Readings from the original Dickens tell the story, and after each scene the eight virtuoso musicians bring the characters and scenes to life, switching from hilarity to pathos with a skill that would have done credit to Dickens himself. 

A cheery clarinet plays Copperfeld, the lost orphan Little Em'ly is a lyrical tenor, Mr Dick fies his kite in the personage of a soaring fugelhorn and trombone, Mr Micawber expresses "Something will turn up!" on the piano and Uriah Heep writhes around on the bass clarinet. Just as we see David progress through the
trials of his life, so the movements of this suite seem to develop along with him.

The music and readings inspire the full range of Dickens's imagination and emotion: from loneliness and remorse through to love and then irresistible joy.

"Barnes is a true Dickensian. He is a serious reader of the novels. It is a clear blunder of providence that he was born too late to appear in their pages!" - Hot News.

Alan Barnes: saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet and narration
Bruce Adams: trumpet
Mark Nightingale: trombone
Robert Fowler, Karen Sharp: saxophones and clarinet
David Newton: piano
Simon Thorpe: bass
Clark Tracey: drums

Tracks: Copperfeld Theme / Mr Peggotty's Boat House / Barkis is Willin' / Creakle and Tungay / Tommy Traddles' Skeletons / Mudstone and Grinby's / Mr Dick Flies his Kite / Mr Micawber / Little Em'ly / Steerforth / Uriah Heep / Dora and Jip / Agnes / A New Life

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