(click on images for larger pictures)
The full house really appreciated a stunning performance of both the sublime ballads and the exciting and powerful improvisations from this master of the tenor sax.
Having released four solo albums to date, Paul Booth has firmly established himself as an in demand solo artist, as well as a ‘first call’ sideman for many big names in both jazz and popular music worlds.
In his early years, whilst studying at the Royal Academy of Music, he won many awards including the prestigious Clifford Brown/Stan Getz fellowship held in Miami, “The Best Modern Jazz Player” category in the televised “Young Jazz Player of the Year” competition and many more.
His ability to blend into any musical surrounding coupled with his talents as a multi-instrumentalist has seen him work with a variety of well-known artists. Paul is currently in the Steve Winwood band, can be seen touring with the BBC Big Band, Michael Janisch Quintet, Ryan Quigley Quinet and has performed worldwide with the likes of Carlos Santana, Steely Dan, Eric Clapton,The Allman Brothers, Riverdance, Basia, Ingrid Jensen, Matt Bianco, Eddie Henderson, Alex Wilson, Roberto Pla, Snowboy, Ray Gelato, Jane Monheit and many more.
Paul runs several groups including a newly formed quartet with Steve Hamilton, Ernesto Simpson and Michael Janisch (album to be released in the fall 2015). He also runs a world music group called Patchwork Project featuring Victoria Newton, Giorgio Serci, Ernesto 
Simpson, Davide Mantovani & Satin Singh, it’s debut album will be released this summer 2015. Paul can also be seen with his organ trio with Ross Stanley & Andrew Bain and as the musical director of the London based world music big band the Bansangu Orchestra.
He is a regular at Ronnie Scotts jazz club in London with his own band and others and has done several UK tours under his own name with the backing of Jazz Services and Jazz Action. Some other jazz groups he has been involved with include Arnie Somogyi’s Ambulance, Sax Appeal, The New Couriers, Mike Garrick Big Band, Tim Garland’s Northern Underground Orchestra etc.
Paul played with the Jazznights Trio who were:
Roger Odell – Drums
Roger was one of the founder members and drummer with the jazz-funk group Shakatak and the forerunner band Tracks. Roger has toured internationally and recorded numerous CDs, which he continues to do on a regular basis to this day.
Simon Brown –PianoLeading UK Jazz innovator and musical entrepreneur Simon Brown is a highly respected and popular jazz pianist who is equally known for his arranging skills. His bands include the quintet Beyond Cantaloupe featuring the music of Herbie Hancock, as well a the very popular Simon Brown Trio and Quartet. He is also a stalwart of the Jazznights Trio with Roger Odell and Bernie Hodgkins.
Bernie Hodgkins – Double Bass
Bernie grew up in a Jazz-oriented family and has toured in Europe and further afield with a wide variety of artists and honed his skills and adding to his prodigious repertoire. Spending much of his time in the recording studios, he is equally at home and in demand as an enthusiastic “live” rhythm section player.
Larraine Odell – Vocals
Larraine began her professional singing career with the group CMU with whom she recorded two albums, Larraine performed at numerous venues throughout the UK and Europe, including the Purcell Room, Royal Festival Hall. Boxford Fleece & Ronnie Scott’s
Master of Ceremonies for the evening was the erudite Gareth Williams-James
Larraine Odell opened the first set with some superb renditions of jazz standards including:
Too Close For Comfort
Nature Boy
The Masquerade is Over
I’m Old Fashioned
Paul Booth the then opened his first set with some great extended versions of:
My secret Love by Sammy Fain
A Time For Love from Johnny Mandel
Duke Ellington’s Cotton Tail
Following the Jazznights raffle of 3 jazz cd’s we had the traditional Jazznights sitting in spot which is open to all musicians who have an opportunity to play with the band. Tonight we had John Reeve-Butler with his electric bass guitar and vocals from Carol Bliker singing Make someone Happy. This was followed by Geoff Harriman playing Try A Little Tenderness on his harmonica.
Harry Greene (Harry was a semi finalist this year in the 2004 BBC young jazz musician of the year) on tenor say then joined the band playing There will Never Be Another You
Paul Booth then re-joined the band with Harry Greene together with John Reeve-Butler on bass guitar to play an exceptional up-beat version of Ray Noble’s Cherokee – This was outstanding.
Paul Booth then gave us superb versions of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s Long Side Up ??the title too engrossed to take i note of the proper title!
This was followed by s superb version of Sonny Rollin’s Without A Song and as a finale we had the classic Body And Soul. A wonderful evening of jazz thoroughly enjoyed by all. This was Paul’s first visit to Jazznights and we certainly hope that it will not be his last.
Sunday 20th December will see BRIGITTE BERAHA (vocals) at Jazznights
Brigitte is now recognized as one of the most versatile and exciting vocalists to emerge on the UK jazz scene in the last decade. As well as performing and recording with many of the legends of the UK jazz scene, including Kenny Wheeler, Chris Laurence, Paul Clarvis, John Parricelli, Bobby Wellins and Henry Lowther
THE BEST IN BRITISH MODERN JAZZ is at Jazznights, Clare, Suffolk.
Admission £10. Doors open 7.00 pm. Music 7.30 – 10.00 pm.
Reserve seating on 01787 237653 or email info@jazz-nights.com
Pay on the night.
You can join us at facebook, read reviews of previous performances on more opinions blog or tweet at twitter.com/jazznightsuk
Pictures from past gigs can also be seen HERE
For further information on future gigs go to www.jazz-nights.com
