Alex Garnett - The Coalminers - 50th Anniversary

INTRO WRITTEN BY STEVE RUBIE: Well, tonight is a bit of a “mash up”.

Friday nights at the Club typically feature high energy bands and artists and this evening we have both! One of the great UK saxophonists Alex Garnett definitely falls into the category of “high energy”.

Alex and I go way back to when I used to play in the Big Band of his Dad, the much-loved saxophonist Willie Garnett.

I remember Alex, in the 1980’s when he was around 15 years old, turning up to our regular rehearsals on a Saturday afternoon after his sax lesson and listening intently to it all.

And it’s fair to say the lessons paid off! Now, some 40 years on, he is one of Europe’s leading jazz saxophonists and a regular and welcome performer here at the Club.

And following Alex will be a Club favourite Friday night band and the epitome of high energy, The Coalminers.

Formed by drummer/harmonica player Pat Levett and featuring the charismatic (and very tall!) Tommy Hare on vocals alongside the force of nature that is Jaelee Small, this 7-piece outfit which specialises in contemporary New Orleans-influenced Americana (think Dr John) and Blues has, over the last 10 years, firmly established themselves as a striking and popular addition to the history of the 606 Club…Alex Garnett’s powerful, flowing, hard bop sax has been heard with leading musicians of world renown, including Wynton Marsalis, Kurt Elling, Van Morrison, Seth McFarlane and Charlie Watts (Rolling Stones), while he's also a pivotal member of the Ronnie Scott’s All Stars.

As such, he has performed in over 30 countries appearing at such prestigious venues as the Blue Note, Lincoln Center and Birdland as well as playing at Umbria Jazz, Cork, Rochester NY, Barcelona, Montreux, and Oslo Jazz Festival and the North Sea Jazz Fest, to name but a few.The Coalminers, with their dedication to what they to refer to as “Swamp Soul” are a brilliant 7-piece band, performing their unique mixture of New Orleans Groove and Funk, bringing the rhythm and soul of the deep south (that's Louisiana, not Brighton...) alive.

Featuring vocalists Tommy Hare & Jaelee Small, drummer Pat Levett (Jon Cleary), pianist Joe Glossop (Tom Jones), guitarist Al Cherry (Paloma Faith), saxophonist/singer Ben Somers (Dr John, Seal) and bassist Spencer Brown (Carl Barât) this highly impressive line-up are guaranteed to raise the roof!“Alex Garnett…one of Great Britain’s most accomplished post-bop musicians” AllAboutJazz; "Riotous uplifting funk bursting at the seams, plus raw powerful vocals.

Get down to the Coalminers immediately!" Jazz FM