North Wales Jazz continues its programme of concerts at the Royal British Legion, Llay, Wrexham on Tuesday (February 25) with a performance by the vibes-led Vic Blackwell Quartet.
Jazz lovers will be bowled over by Vic Blackwell's dexterity on the vibraphone and by his sensitive, melodic solos.
Vic’s first instrument was the classical piano, which he began to play at the age of six, changing to the vibes at sixteen after seeing a performance by the legendary Lionel Hampton.
Before heading north, he was a regular on the London jazz scene and a highlight of this period was a gig at Ronnie Scott’s famous club in Soho.
Influenced by Lester Young, Errol Garner, Charlie Parker and
Gerry Mulligan, Vic Blackwell is now a favourite player at Merseyside Jazz clubs and with North Wales music lovers.
His greatest joy, he says, is to perform with other high calibre players, giving pleasure to a live audience.
The Vic Blackwell Quartet features two of the UK's finest jazz guitarists, Trefor Owen and Andy Hulme.
Trefor, Wales’s premier jazz guitarist, has toured the UK with such American guitar greats as Mundell Lowe and Randy Johnston and performed extensively in the USA, appearing in San Francisco and LA, at the Classic American Guitar Show, New York and the prestigious Jazz Cafe at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC.
Fellow guitarist Andy Hulme’s accomplished performances alongside Trefor and American jazz legends at North Wales International Jazz Guitar Festivals have proved him to be among the finest of today’s UK players.
Andy is also member of acclaimed jazz groups, BBQ and the Brownfield/Byrne Hot Six.
Completing the line-up of the Vic Blackwell Quartet is the double bass of Ed Harrison, an all-round accomplished musician who augments any band he plays in with his solid rhythmic accompaniment and harmonic sense.
The concert starts at 8.30pm and admission is �6.50, concessions �5.50,
children and Students' Union members �3. Further details are available on 01745 812260 and at northwales jazz.org.uk.
