Friday 24th of March 2023
Elsden Music and Jazz Café POSK present: Nigel Price and Alban Claret Entente Cordiale Album Launch
Nigel Price needs no introduction as one of the leading guitarists in the UK, although it must be said that he is probably looking over his shoulder and keeping a close eye on fellow guitarist Alban Claret.
This evening sees Nigel and Alban presenting tunes from their new album Entente Cordiale which is released today.
The unusual line-up consists of a two-guitar front line ably supported by TBC on double bass and Matt Fishwick on drums. The quartet pays tribute to the great jazz composers of the 20th century, swinging through tunes such as Sam Jones’ Bittersuite and Woody Shaw’s Moontrane, and captivating with exquisite renditions of ballads including Bill Evans’ Time Remembered.
Exhilarating and enchanting in turn, and liberally sprinkled with magical moments, this is an unmissable event for fans of jazz guitar and of great music played by musicians at the top of their game.
Nigel Price - guitar
Alban Claret – guitar
Mirko Scarcia – double bass
Matt Fishwick - drums
Nigel Price: Award-winning jazz guitarist Nigel Price has become widely acknowledged as one of the hardest working musicians in the business.
Musically, his blend of flowing bebop lines, deep blues sensibility and his mastery of chording continue to delight audiences and fellow musicians alike. His career highlights include a support show for Gladys Knight at The Royal Albert Hall and an appearance on Van Morrison’s recent album Keep Me Singing.
Starting his professional career in his early 20s, Nigel toured Europe with various reggae and funk bands before settling on a solo guitar career and turning his attention to jazz. Citing early influences as Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Nigel honed his craft by attending gigs and sitting in with the players of the time.
Nigel has played on more than 50 albums including 5 as a leader, spent ten years with acid jazz outfit The Filthy Six, was a member of James Taylor’s band for 3 years (with whom he recorded 5 albums) and performed with the legendary David Axelrod. He has also taught at The International Guitar Foundation at King’s Place, London.
Awards include a Parliamentary Jazz Award (Best Jazz Ensemble, 2010), a nomination for a British Jazz Award (Best Guitarist, 2014) and a British Jazz Award (Best Guitarist, 2016).
"Nigel Price is probably the most dynamic and gifted guitarist on the British jazz scene today…." All About Jazz
Alban Claret: Born in Perpignan (France) in 1987. He took his first guitar lessons at eight years old and discovered his passion and dedication for music making as a teenager which later made him study intensively. In 2004, he was accepted as a student of the Musicology Faculty at the Conservatoire of Montpellier to broaden his knowledge about music styles. He also studied at the jazz department of the Conservatoire of Perpignan with the brilliant French Jazz Guitarist Serge Lazarevitch. During this period Alban composed his first music and led several bands and played his first concerts. Upon his arrival in the Netherlands in 2008, he was accepted in the Jazz department at the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague and cooperated with musicians such as John Ruocco and Eric Ineke also studying with Martijn van Iterson. In 2017, Alban decided to move to London and settle as a full time musician and since performed in numerous Jazz clubs in London and the UK.
His previous album includes a CD of original compositions with trumpeter Evan Clegg, The Collection (Elsden Music, 2012).
“A set of highly accomplished & hugely enjoyable tunes. The quality of the playing is exceptional” The Jazz Mann on ‘The Collection”.
Video 1. (Nigel Price & Alban Claret Quartet at Twickenham Jazz Club 11.01.2023): https://youtu.be/6NNn6P11tu8?t=24
Video 2. (Alban Claret plays: Who Can I Turn To?): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4v9Z4-luPE
