Jazz breaking news: Courtney Pine Returns With New Album And Embarks On Tour
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Courtney Pine begins the new decade helming one of his most expansive projects to date with a new album, Europa, out in early-March and a nationwide tour with dates throughout the month.
The album, released on 7 March by Destin-e records, reflects the music, spirit and cultural diversity of Europe and draws on an intriguingly broad range of inspiration, from Scandinavian and Celtic melodies and rhythms through Spanish and Mediterranean themes, to Hungarian and Balkan influences.
Europa is Pine’s twelfth studio album and, importantly, his first all-bass clarinet date. He’s joined on the album by pianist Zoe Rahman; bassist Alec Dankworth; drummer Mark Mondesir; with special guests Shabaka Hutchings on clarinet; Dominic Grant, acoustic guitar; Amanda Drummond, viola; Cameron Pierre, mandolin; Omar Puente, electric violin and Robert Fordjour, drums.
For the tour, which begins with an album launch at Ronnie Scott’s club on 3-4 March, the band will be Rahman, Puente, Pierre, Fordjour and Darren Taylor on bass. Dates are: Playhouse, Harlow (10 March); Town Hall, Birmingham (11 March); The Assembly, Leamington Spa (12 March); Stables, Wavenden, (17 March); Uppingham Theatre, Rutland (18 March); New Theatre, Portsmouth (23 March); Playhouse, Norwich (26 March); Haverhill Arts Centre, Haverhill (27 March); Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon (29 March); Theatre Royal, York (30 March); and Hull Truck Theatre, Hull (31 March).
– Jon Newey