Already a veteran of the British jazz and Latin scenes, Wilson is a scintillating and versatile pianist with a virtuoso style who has played with Roberto Pla, Gary Crosby's Nu-Troop and Courtney Pine's band. He put his own activities on hold and spent a year touring the world with Pine, but left to concentrate on his own career. Three albums Afro Saxon, Anglo Cuban and R&B Latino have documented his rapid development as writer and bandleader. Alex's latest project ‘Aventuras’ launched at Ronnie Scott’s takes the listener on a series of adventures around the Americas and the Caribbean, fusing improvised jazz with the folkloric music of Colombia, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Cuba, all driven by Alex's incendiary piano playing. Colombian percussionist Emeris Solis adds his Afro-Colombian tradition from the Choco area of the country whilst Cuban drummer Luis Carlos Fuentes drives the whole band from the drum kit and is equally at home with timba as he is with mainstream jazz. Italian Davide Mantovani nails down the low frequency end of the proceedings and reaffirms the Afro-Cuban roots of Alex's musical style. Alex's quartet is one of the most exciting bands in jazz, a perfect baptism for a brand new jazz venue.
Alex Wilson piano
Luis Carlos Fuentes drums
Emeris Solis percussion
Davide Mantovani bass
Some of the best of the local bands vie for your attention on a packed afternoon of free music in the atmospheric setting of Priory Place. The funk action will be supplied in super-abundance courtesy of nine strong Decatone. The Big Easy promise some goodtime jazz, blues, jump and swing all delivered with energy to get the joint jumping. In between times, Joe O'Donnell's Shkayla should get hearts thumping with some wild celtic swing.
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Hailed as the Jimi Hendrix of the acoustic guitar, Italian award-winning Antonio Forcione is considered one of the most charismatic and inventive performers to come out of Europe in recent years. He breaks the mould of most conventional, popular guitar sounds be it in the field of jazz, Spanish, African, Brazilian or improvised music. International tours have brought high critical acclaim from as far as Australia and Hong Kong to Russia, the Caribbean, USA and all over Europe.
His 13 albums have variously hit the top of UK and international jazz charts and he has shared the stage worldwide with some of the world’s most accomplished musicians, double-billing with artists such as John McLaughlin, John Schoffield and Leo Kotke.
“Forcione boldly goes where no guitarist has gone before and the results are quite spectacular... miss him at your peril.” The Stage
“An all plucking, all strumming, all clicking, tapping, slapping virtuoso of world jazz… comes highly recommended.” The List
Antonio Forcione acoustic guitar