Barry Green's "Generations Project"

Barry Green is a wonderful modern jazz pianist whose fluent and melodic playing has made a significant impact on the UK jazz scene. After studying classical and jazz piano at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in the late 90's, Barry quickly established himself on the scene as a player of poise and creativity. Over the last few years he has performed regularly at the likes of Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Dean Street, The Wigmore Hall, The Purcell Room and The Vortex, as well of course as appearing many times here at the Club. Internationally he has played at clubs and festivals in Spain, Slovenia, Sweden, Norway, Croatia, Turkey, Italy and France, and has performed with headliners at the Cheltenham, Cork, Berlin and North Sea Jazz festivals. His cv is vast, including work with the likes of Bobby Watson, Charles McPherson, Bobby Wellins, Ian Shaw, Anita Wardell, Richie Cole and Us3, as well as his own trio. Barry is currently a professor of jazz piano at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. The idea of the “Generations Project” reflects a jazz tradition, whereas “the knowledge” was passed down on the bandstand from one generation to the next, and for this 606 date Barry has chosen iconic bassist Dave Green (Stan Tracey, Humphrey Lyttelton, Charlie Watts), as well as saxophonist Sam Braysher and drummer Boz Martin-Jones, both of whom studied at the Guildhall, to bring this concept to life this evening.

Dave and Barry (who are not related) released an album together, “Turn Left at Monday” in 2011, a thoughtful collection of cherished standards with a focus on the composer Alec Wilder (who wrote for Sinatra, Peggy Lee and the Mills Brothers). This penchant for standards & the Great American Songbook, and particularly for lesser known, slightly off the beaten track arrangements is emphatically shared by saxophonist Braysher, whose own debut album was awarded four stars by the Observer in 2017. An irresistible combination of superb songs and impeccable musicianship–highly recommended!

“Pianist Barry Green and bassist Dave Green…two of the best mainstream-to-bop musicians on the UK scene” Guardian; “…Green’s work can be both intricate and assertive and is constantly inventive.” Jazz UK; “The one who really shone was pianist Barry Green. Watching his imagination unfurl was an engaging experience and turned out to be the keenest musical pleasure of the evening”. Daily Telegraph