Patrick Cornelius tours UK/EU with James Francies, Rudy Royston and Michael Janisch

New York alto saxophonist and composer Patrick Cornelius is set to bring his new heavyweight quartet to the UK for a run of dates this autumn, with plans to record the band following the live shows.

Among the all-star line-up is 29-year-old pianist and Blue Note recording artist James Francies whose CV of touring and recording includes some of modern music’s most influential innovators such as Pat Metheny, Jeff Tain Watts, Chris Potter, Stefan Harris, and Chance the Rapper. Named ‘Rising Star Keyboardist” by the Downbeat Magazine Critics poll and has released two critically albums on Blue Note Records as well as albums with Metheny’s Side-Eye Trio and Potter’s Circuits band.

The rhythm-section for this tour also packs a punch and features prolific bassist and producer Michael Janisch (whose work includes collaborations with Lee Konitz, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Walter Smith III, Kenny Wheeler and John Taylor) and is the founder Whirlwind Recordings, the UK based indie. Drummer Rudy Royston has  frequently workedwith heavyweights Bill Frisell, JD Allen, Dave Douglas and Tia Fuller, as well as being a bandleader and songwriter, leading his quintet at New York’s historic Village Vanguard and releasing 5 albums on Douglas' Greenleaf Music label.

Leading this uniquely talented band, Cornelius brings his 20-plus years’ experience to the fore as an acclaimed composer and bandleader. Hailed as “self-assured” and “resourceful” by The New York Times, “Elegant” and “Extraordinary” by DownBeat Magazine (in whose annual Critics Poll he has been listed among the “Rising Stars” multiple times), and “Bold and Gifted,” by All About Jazz, Cornelius’ discography of ten albums as a leader or co-leader features established veterans (like Jeff Ballard, Ben Allison, and Frank Kimbrough) and well as rising stars (including Gerald Clayton, Aaron Parks, Kendrick Scott, and Miles Okazaki).

Stopping off at Ronnie Scott’s London on 23 October, this multi-date European and UK tour includes: Birmingham Conservatoire, East Side Jazz Club, Birmingham, England (17 Oct); Qurtuba Jazz festival, Córdoba, Spain (18 Oct); Clarence Jazz Club, Malaga, Spain (19 Oct) Jazzazza Jazz Club, Murcia, Spain (20 Oct); Jimmy Glass, Valencia, Spain (21 Oct); Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, London, England (23 Oct); Jazz Steps - Nottingham, England (24 Oct); Royal Academy of Music, London, England (Private daytime student masterclass – 25 Oct) and Cork Jazz Festival, Cork, Ireland (26 Oct).

For full details visit www.patrickcornelius.com/events