Ben Holder's Tribute to Benny Goodman

Although still in his mid 20’s Midlands-based virtuoso jazz violinist Ben Holder has already made quite a name for himself on the Gypsy Jazz/Swing circuit, and seems destined for great things. A graduate of the Birmingham Conservatoire, this multi-award winning violinist started life as a classical musician, but his interest in jazz, inspired by listening as a teenager to the likes of Oscar Peterson as well as the great jazz violinists Stéphane Grappelli, Joe Venuto and Stuff Smith, led him to a parallel life as an accomplished jazz musician. These days his powerful and swinging playing can be heard with a number of the North’s finest swing outfits including Gypsy Fire and Djangology. Tonight Ben will be paying tribute to legendary US clarinet player and bandleader Benny Goodman aka "The King of Swing", and following the format of his live-recorded CD "Ben meets Benny" you can expect to hear pieces closely associated with the celebrated jazz master. Ben's fluid violin playing will provide a unique interpretation of the 1940's swing style Benny pioneered, combining energy and considerable technical ability to produce some stunning music. Tonight's trio is completed by two of the UK’s finest swing musicians, Tom Kincaid on piano and Paul Jefferies on double bass. A real treat this one.

“Ben Holder has the warmth and flexibility of a sax player, and all the extra possibilities of a string instrument - lightning speed harmonics, glissando and double stopping. Chilled and confident… he puts on a hugely enjoyable show” LondonJazz News