Bruce Adams/Alan Barnes Quintet

Under Ground Theatre, Eastbourne

Friday 15th July 2015

A five star line-up that’s hard to beat, and so it proved to be. Straight ahead jazz, chestnut jokes (the old ones are the best), and the relaxed spontaneity of musicians fully at home with each others’ company. The usual mixture of old and new, with several tracks from the Spontaneous Combustion album, including the title track of the same name, and ‘Hanging Around for Friday’, a tune dedicated to Alan’s (mis-spent?) youth. Lovely solos from one and all, but especially a ballad from Bruce on flugelhorn. A full house more than had their moneys worth.

Alan Barnes, saxes; Bruce Adams, trumpet, flugelhorn; Robin Aspland, piano; Simon Thorpe, bass; Bobby Worth, drums.

Next gig at the Under Ground, Friday 12th June: Darius Brubeck.

Brian O’Connor

Photo of Alan Barnes by Brian O’Connor