Howard Alden with Geoff Simkins & Simon Woolf

The Verdict, Brighton

Sunday 18th May, 2014

    American guitarist Howard Alden is best known for performing the guitar parts for the Woody Allen film Sweet & Lowdown but has also performed with legends such as Woody Herman, Dizzy Gillespie and Red Norvo. In the UK he has worked with Alan Barnes, Dave Newton and Geoff Simkins.

    This evening saw him performing again with alto saxophonist Geoff Simkins and bassist Simon Woolf in a trio format that worked really well.

    Alden, who plays the seven-string guitar, comped and soloed in a relaxed style, perfectly blending with the West Coast cool sound of Simkins and the bowed solos of Simon Woolf.

    The highlight of the evening was an impromptu performance of the Strayhorn ballad Chelsea Bridge.

Charlie Anderson