Tickets £8, Doors 7pm, Performance 8pm

Christine Tobin Band featuring Phil Robson

Christine Tobin - vocals

(BBC Jazz Awards Best Vocalist 2008)

Phil Robson - guitar

(Parliamentary Jazz Awards Musician of the Year 2009)

Dave Whitford - bass

Thebe Lipere - percussion

Irish-born singer-songwriter Christine Tobin is based in the UK and spends her time between London and the beautiful Kent coast. Her style, although rooted in jazz, is steeped in the singer-songwriter tradition and draws on a broad range of influences from West Africa to Brazil (Oumou Sangare, Fela Kuti, Elis Regina etc) Her sound is rich, authentic and deeply expressive and was described by the Guardian as “Tobin’s 24 carat voice” while praising her both for the poetry of her compositions and her golden voice. Much of her repertoire is self-penned and Tobin has received many accolades for her skills as a writer and arranger. Romantic and radical, Christine is a musical free spirit who blurs the lines to create her own unique style that is streetwise and eclectic. In 2008 she was named Best Vocalist at the BBC Jazz Awards.

“Dublin-born singer Christine Tobin is a jewel of the London jazz scene, streets ahead of the pack… She should be on a global stage, rubbing shoulders with fellow troubadours like Cave, Mitchell and Cohen. [Her] eloquent songs are framed by masterful arrangements… There’s no self-indulgence: it’s all about the songs.” The Guardian

Her versatility and musical integrity has ensured that she is a much in demand guest with other bands. She has been invited to record and work with a long list that includes: Billy Childs, BBC Big Band, Mike Gibbs, Django Bates, Kenny Wheeler, Nigel Kennedy, Billy Hart, Julian Arguelles, Tim Garland, Gary Husband, Liam Noble, Hans Koller and a performance of a Bessie Smith song in the Mike Figgis directed film, ‘Red, White & Blues’, produced by Martin Scorsese.

“One of the most gifted and original singer/songwriters in today’s jazz world.” BBC Music Magazine

“lovely, many-hued voice – discreet and yet characterful. A class act.” The Telegraph

“She’s got one of those voices that can move from pure, pastoral-edged folk whimsy to big angry blues mama in a single phrase; from world-weary interpreter of show tunes to howling rock diva within a single note… the finest vocal jazz in years.” Time Out

“The Tobin voice is simply peerless.” Jazzwise Magazine

Phil Robson - guitar

As well as being one of the leading jazz guitarists in Europe, Phil is also celebrated as an innovative composer. He is the leader of Six Strings and the Beat, Phil Robson Trio and co-leader of Partisans. He also has a trio with U.S. drum legend Billy Hart and bassist James Genus and is a longtime member of the BBC Big Band who he has written and arranged for.

“…Phil Robson’s slinky soloing sounds like Joe Pass playing metal (in the nicest sense)” The Guardian