MAXINE GREEN vocals and guitar.
Born in London to a family of jazz musicians, Maxine is a multi-lingual
performer whose repertoire includes Latin jazz (sung in Portuguese)
as well as French chansons, original songs and jazz standards.
Maxine loved Georges Brassens'
chansons when she first heard them over 15 years ago, and began including
them within jazz gigs in England and France. In 1997 she
formed Projet Brassens Quartet with Charlie Hearnshaw to showcase
Brassens' songs and try to develop his legacy creatively.
Maxine Green's press-book
"The English singer Maxine Green records her Brassens in French...The slight accent which made the success of Jane Birkin, and before her of Petula Clark, isn't Maxine's only charm. In the lively tone of her style, one can rediscover the mischievous smile of the Master of these words."
Chorus - les cahiers de la chanson, France
.. these songs are sung by Maxine Green
with a charm...and a talent which must be underlined. I think back
to her interpretation of Bonhomme...you have to take your hat off to
this." Les Amis de Georges, France
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CHARLIE
HEARNSHAW clarinet,
basset clarinet, alto sax.
Born in Birmingham, studied classical clarinet, composition
and conducting at Dartington College of Arts and in Paris.
Charlie has toured all over Europe, recorded and broadcast with many
top jazz musicians from Britain and the USA, including Don Weller, Pete Jacobsen,
Andy Sheppard, Don Rendell, Kathy Stobart, Alan Barnes, ex-Coltrane drummer
Clifford Jarvis, Jimmy Witherspoon, and the late great Slim Gaillard.
In 1981 he formed the Charlie Hearnshaw Quartet as a vehicle for composition
and improvisation in the modern jazz field. His musical influences included
Tony Coe, Sonny Cris, Joe Henderson and Polish saxophonist Zbigniev Namyslowski.
In 1990 the Quartet's debut album So Slam It! received considerable acclaim,
including a place in the Guardian's critics' poll for that year.
Charlie's interest in classical music, particularly the music of Bach,
led to him publishing editions of Bach for solo saxophones and solo clarinet.
In recent years Charlie has developed
what he describes as "music
for listening", a focussed, uncluttered acoustic sound. In live
concert performance he is known for his easy rapport with audiences,
and his ability to enthuse existing jazz fans whilst also making his
music accessible and enjoyable for wider audiences.
Charlie has also ventured into other
styles of music, writing new arrangements of songs by French "master" Georges Brassens for Projet Brassens,
and gaining a cult following after recordings with The Rurals on the Pêng
label.
Charlie combines the focus and purity of classical clarinet tone with the
freedom of expression of improvisation. He is widely recognised as one of
the UK's leading exponents of clarinet and alto sax.
More details of Charlie's recent work
at
Shelly
Studios CDs.
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Charlie Hearnshaw's press-book
"Virile and reflective chamber jazz."
The Times
"A light and delicate approach
to be-bop which also emcompasses latin-american and World music to
panoramic effect."
Time Out, London
"....and there is a kind of joy which communicates
itself to the listener....this is the kind of music which gives me
the most pleasure." Alun Morgan, jazz critic
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Mike Thorn double bass
Born in Cornwall, he toured the world for several years with Charles Aznavour before returning to England to play for the London West End theatre. More recently he has established himself as a mainstay of the South West's lively jazz scene. |
Andrew Barrett guitar
A versatile musician who has toured all over Europe and performed before Her Majesty The Queen. He spent summer 1999 playing on the QE2 and at one of New York's premier jazz venues, The Red Blazer Club. |
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