Roger Beaujolais /Neil Burns Quintet

Roger Beaujolais started playing vibraphone aged 24 & first played in public aged 28. He is completely self-taught. Aged 30 he turned professional & became the first person to be able to make a living from solely playing vibraphone in the UK.

He originally gained recognition with 80’s jump jive favourites The Chevalier Brothers (also featuring Ray Gelato) whose musicianship & anarchic brand of humour took them all over the world. Ignored by the jazz scene in the UK they played at the Montreux Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Stockholm Jazz Festival & jazz festivals in Belgium, France, Italy, Finland & Norway. They also played on numerous TV & radio shows in the UK (including “The Old Grey Whistle Test”) & many others around the world in Japan, Switzerland, Denmark & France.

After a brief spell with chart topping Fairground Attraction in 1989, Roger formed latin-jazz outfit the Beaujolais Band who released 2 top selling albums on Acid Jazz Records. These were outsold by his jazz/funk/soul albums as Vibraphonic released on Acid Jazz again. Vibraphonic were then signed to Disney’s Hollywood Records in USA for 2 more albums before Roger concentrated on writing & performing acoustically with his Quintet/Quartet.

Roger has worked as a sideman in many projects & has played alongside many of the top jazz musicians in the UK including Pete King, Jim Mullen, Denys Baptiste, Cameron Pierre, Tony Remy, Jason Yarde, Mark Lockheart, Gwilym Simcock, John Etheridge, Alan Barnes, Tony Kofi, Tommaso Starace, Dick Pearce, Ed Jones, Simon Spillett, Seb Rochford, Pete Long, Gilad Atzmon, Trevor Tomkins, Simon Allen, Mornington Lockett, Theo Travis, Zoe Rahman, Brandon Allen, Alex Garnett, Jay Phelps & many more. He also played with Slim Gaillard in the 1980’s.

Roger has so far released 22 albums & is also a prolific writer with over 250 tunes recorded & released over the years.

He has played on numerous pop sessions including with Robert Plant, Morrissey, Kirsty MacColl, Roni Size, Paul Weller, Guy Chambers, Fairground Attraction, Alexander O’Neal, Omara Portuondo, Tony Allen, 4 Hero, Ed Motta, Brian Kennedy, Duffy, Rumer, Mary Coughlan, Graham Coxon, Shola Ama & Alison Limerick.

Roger has been involved with the reformed Fairground Attraction in 2024 & toured Japan with them in June/July 2024 & was part of their 14 date UK tour in autumn 2024. He is also featured on their new album which was released on September 27th 2024.

Roger is currently working on his new album, a second collaboration with legendary pedal steel guitarist, BJ Cole.

“Scottish Guitarist Neil Burns has been immersed in the south west jazz scene for many years and has accompanied many top players on tours in the region. A guitarist steeped in the jazz guitar tradition with a funky, bluesy, bebop style heavily influenced by the great “Grant Green”. Neil likes to play standards, original compositions and jazz classics”

Roger and Neil are 2 of our best Jazz musicians who have been working together a number of years. Together they will bring their Melodious and Soulful music to the Arts Centre ably backed by Craig Milverton’s Trio with Ashley John Long and Alex Goodyear.

Craig Milverton is one of Britain's finest Jazz Pianists. In 2010 Craig was winner of Best Jazz Pianist in the Best Small Group Category at the British Jazz Awards with Digby Fairweather and his Half Dozen. Few British pianists have Craig’s thorough knowledge and grasp of jazz styles.

Performance starts at 7:30pm, doors from 6:30pm with bar available.

Tickets:

General admission: £20

Students: £10