Tickets £10, Doors 7pm, Performance 9pm

Christian Brewer Quartet

Christian Brewer - alto sax

Leon Greening - piano

Ryan Trebilcock – bass

Steve Brown – drums

Christian is one of the most lyrical and soulful alto players to have emerged from the UK in recent years. Loved for his melodic playing and pure tone, he has risen to prominence on the British jazz scene, and established himself as one of the most creative exponents of the “post-bop” style associated with the early sixties. He is now a regular at London’s prestigious Ronnie Scott’s and both he and his band are in great demand.

His musical roots, besides jazz, also include funk and groove orientated music. This has lead to commercial work with reggae trombonist Rico Rodriguez, Push, Paul Weller, Otis Grand and the Ragga Twins amongst many others. This diversity has enriched his musical outlook and is evident in his style of playing and composing, whilst never compromising the authenticity of the jazz.

Christian studied at Leeds and The Guildhall School of Music. However, the defining musical inspiration came from playing alongside Julian Joseph and the Mondesir brothers at Ian Carr’s jazz London fusion orchestra. He has gone on to play with some of the finest players in Europe, across the continent’s top clubs and festivals: Chano Dominguez (premier Spanish jazz flamenco pianist who is taking Europe by storm), Geoff Gascoine, Dave Schnitter, Carl Orr, Damon Brown, Antonio Ciacca.

In the UK Christian has worked extensively with trumpet player Damon Brown, featuring on two of Damon’s CDs and performing at Barcelona’s Jamboree. Since 2000 he has been leading his own group featuring Leon Greening, Tom Herbert and Sebastian Rochford. His debut CD won much critical acclaim, both at home and abroad. In 2003 the group performed at the Barcelona Masimas Jazz festival in August, toured the UK and successfully completed their third week at Ronnie Scott’s in two years. That November, Christian was invited to play in Macau Jazz Festival (Hong Kong). This lead to an extensive 3 week tour of Portugal in 2004 (alongside English trumpeter Quenton Collins) finishing in the prestigious Hot Club of Lisbon.

Christian then formed his quintet featuring the multi talented Jim Hart on vibes, Tristan Mailliot on drums, Phil Donkin on bass and Leon Greening on piano. The group played 2 weeks at Ronnie Scott’s during the year, recording a live CD there. A UK and European tour followed, and also the recording of their highly acclaimed album Seesaw. In 2006/2007, Christian joined guitarist Carl Orr’s (ex Billy Cobham) group Dangerfunk featuring Dave de Rose on drums and Neville Malcom on bass.

“…[Brewer’s] playing crackling with pyrotechnics….Yet on downtempo material he showed dynamic sublety and pleasing understatement.” The Guardian

“A remarkably fluent and craftsmanlike improviser” Jazz UK

“….a Phil Woods-like accuracy on fast tracks combines with a soul-searching, Art Pepper quality to his ballad playing” Jazzwise

“the standard of playing is phenomenal. Brewer is a superb alto saxophonist and an excellent composer” Ian Carr

“…the future of British neo-bop is in safe hands” Evening Standard