The spring programme of jazz concerts at the Royal British Legion in Llay continues on Tuesday, April 15 with a performance by Yorkshire’s exciting young saxophone and vocals-led AJ Brown Quartet.
Leader AJ, whose influences include greats such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett and Michel Bublé, has been performing from an early age, first with the Calderdale Youth Big Band and later with the well-known Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra.
After three years studying at Leeds College of Music, where he played sax and sang with the College Big Band, AJ began his professional career in 2011 with the launch of his debut album On Song during the Wigan International Jazz Festival.
Since then he has become a much in-demand performer, playing at Southport’s Jazz on a Winter’s Weekend Festival, Cork International Jazz Festival and Herefordshire’s Titley Jazz Festival, and as guest vocalist with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra.
In 2012, AJ travelled to Northern Ireland with the Swing-Shift Big Band to take part in two festivals celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
After singing at New York’s legendary Birdland and performing at the Cape Town Jazz Big Band Festival and Grahamstown Festival, he released his second CD Now and Again last September, and has recently been working closely with jazz vocalist Clare Teal and the BBC Radio Leeds Big Band, appearing at venues including Altrincham’s Cinnamon Club and Wakefield Theatre Royal.
Early this month he joined Clare Teal, Matthew Ford and the BBC Concert Orchestra on BBC Radio 2 for the Friday Night is Music Night celebration of the career of the great Doris Day.
The line-up of the AJ Brown Quartet is completed by Martin Longhawn (keyboards), John Williamson (bass) and Tim Carter (drums).
The music at the Royal British Legion starts at 8.30pm and admission is £6.50, concessions £5.50, school children £3.
Further information is available on 01745 812260 and at www.northwalesjazz.org.uk
