Whirlwind Recordings Showcase - The Patrick Cornelius Octet

Dubbed the "new label of the moment" (BBC Radio 2) Whirlwind Recordings was established in 2010 by US expat bass player/composer and producer Michael Janisch, who initially created the label to record and promote his debut solo album “Purpose Built”. Since then the label has grown considerably, releasing an eclectic catalogue of adventurous music that spans genres but with an emphasis on improvisation, with artists on the label ranging from established masters to undiscovered stars in the making. Tonight will be the third in a series of monthly "showcases" of artists featured on the label, including the appearance of "Special Guests" from the UK and beyond. Curated by Michael (a very old friend of the Club) this promises to be an exciting and unique opportunity to hear some of the finest musicians working in the UK in a mix of established and more informal musical settings. Tonight Michael has put together an international band that features the brilliant multi-award winning US saxophonist Patrick Cornelius. An alumnus of Berklee College of Music in Boston, the Manhattan School of Music and the world famous Juilliard School of Music, Patrick Cornelius has been making waves on the New York scene as a performer of real talent since the release of his 2006 album “Lucid Dream”. In 2005 he won the first of three consecutive ASCAP Young Composer Awards, in 2011 he was identified in the Players section of DownBeat as a rising young talent on the scene and the following year he was awarded a New Jazz Works Commission by Chamber Music America and the Doris Duke Foundation. A fluent and highly creative player his four albums, including his last recording “Infinite Blue” on Whirlwind Records, have showcased his accomplished writing and potent alto sax playing. Patrick has appeared as visiting artists in residence or guest lecturer at many international institutions, including London’s Royal Academy of Music, St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, The Centro Culturale in Costa Rica, Hull University in the UK, The University of North Carolina, and Snow College in Utah. He is currently professor of saxophone at Hunter College in New York City, music faculty at The United Nations School, and teaches at Carl Allen’s New York Jazz Symposium. Tonight Patrick presents the UK premiere of "While We're Still Young," his suite for octet with songs inspired by the children's poetry of A.A. Milne, performed by a remarkable Anglo-American 8 piece band that features fellow American Nick Vayenas on trombone along with Andre Canniere-trumpet, Alex Garnett-sax/clarinet, Phil Robson-guitar, Steve Hamilton-piano, Andrew Bain-drums and Michael Janisch-bass. Highly recommended.

“Cornelius manages to operate in the modern mainstream while avoiding cliché, honing a subtle but distinctive style with his frequently restrained, artfully unpredictable phrasing on alto sax." eMusic; “a bold and gifted sax player" All About Jazz
“dynamic" Guardian