The Return of Foyer Jazz

On Thursday 23rd June, faces from near and far rocked up to witness Leighton Park’s stellar student musicians perform alongside British Jazz Awards ‘Rising Star’, Alex Clarke, for an evening of entertainment from the Foyer Jazz Club.

The Music and Media Department were delighted to see the return of Foyer Jazz following a hiatus during the pandemic, after an inaugural performance in January 2020 and a following concert in March of the same year.

The Michael Malnick Centre Foyer come Jazz Café proved to be the ideal venue for such a concert, with its fantastic acoustics and first-rate facilities. Bathed in ambient light as the sun set on the Park, the mood was reminiscent of Ronnie Scott’s.

Star guest, Alex, who has been described as ‘one of the most in-demand and versatile young saxophonists emerging on the British jazz scene’, wowed the audience with her musicality.

Alex was joined by the School’s House Band which was led by Head of Jazz, Stuart Henderson on the trumpet, and featured Leon Greening on piano, Simon Price, one of the South’s finest jazz drummers and Raph Mizraki on the Double Bass.

Stuart reflected, “The evening was a great success. The students played wonderfully and there were some lovely comments from members of the audience. It’s a real pleasure to bring nationally acclaimed jazz musicians to Leighton Park and to have our students showcase what talented musicians we have at the School.”

Earlier in the day, in an intimate rehearsal session with Alex and company, students were able to work with the seasoned professionals and take on their feedback to make for a stellar evening performance.

Abba in Year 10 enthused, “I got to have a chat with the pianist and he gave me advice on how to make chords sound jazzier by using voicings and I learned how much skill it takes to improvise for such a long time. It felt surreal playing with professionals since it is something I never dreamed of happening and because I am very passionate about jazz it also made me very excited to get this opportunity.”

Favourite numbers amongst the audience on the night included Tuxedo Junction from the Year 10 Jazz Band, Work Song from Harry with Alex and the band, Caravan and Strasbourg St Denis from the quintet. Another highlight was Alicia Keys’ ‘If I Ain’t Got You’ performed by Eliza(piano and vocals) with Alex and the band.

With a healthy audience at the event, appetite for the School’s music scene appears as strong as ever, with good reason too, as we anticipate the famed House Music and Music for a Summers’ Evening on Saturday 2^nd July.