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Alastair Penman
saxophone
Rory McInroy
jazz piano
Programme
Albert Victor Young (1899-1956)
Beautiful Love (1931)
Antônio Carlos Brasileiro de Almeida Jobim (aka Tim Jobim, 1927-1994)
Triste (1966)
Charlie Parker Jr (nick: Bird, Yardbird, 1920-1955)
Anthropology originally Thriving from a Riff (1945)
Vincent Millie Youmans (1898-1946)
Tea for Two (1924)
Jimmy (James) Van Heusen (b Edward Chester Babcock, 1913-1990)
Darn That Dream (1939)
Cole Albert Porter (1891-1964)
Begin the Beguine (1935)
Victor Young
My Foolish Heart (1949)
Cole Porter
Love for Sale (1930)
Concert duration approx: 45+ minutes
Please donate to help fund these concerts at: cafdonate.cafonline.org/14455
Albert Victor Young (1899-1956)
Beautiful Love (1931)
Antônio Carlos Brasileiro de Almeida Jobim (aka Tim Jobim, 1927-1994)
Triste (1966)
Charlie Parker Jr (nick: Bird, Yardbird, 1920-1955)
Anthropology originally Thriving from a Riff (1945)
Vincent Millie Youmans (1898-1946)
Tea for Two (1924)
Jimmy (James) Van Heusen (b Edward Chester Babcock, 1913-1990)
Darn That Dream (1939)
Cole Albert Porter (1891-1964)
Begin the Beguine (1935)
Victor Young
My Foolish Heart (1949)
Cole Porter
Love for Sale (1930)
Concert duration approx: 45+ minutes
Please donate to help fund these concerts at: cafdonate.cafonline.org/14455
Alastair Penman
Hailed as a “pioneering instrumentalist and writer” and praised for his “surpassingly beautiful music” and “undoubtedly brilliant mind”, British saxophonist Alastair Penman is a dynamic and versatile performer and composer. Having earned masters’ degrees in both Information and Computer Engineering (University of Cambridge) and Saxophone Performance (Royal Northern College of Music), Alastair has a strong interest in the fusion of live saxophone performance with electronic effects, backings, and enhancements to create often previously undiscovered sound-worlds.
Although classically trained, Alastair enjoys exploring many musical worlds; such influences can be heard in his compositions and performances, which often transcend genre definition.
In a jazz setting Alastair has performed at Montreux and London Jazz Festivals as well as at jazz clubs
across Europe, and he played on Cassie Kinoshi’s recent album Gratitude, recorded live at the Southbank Centre. Alastair is in great demand as a session musician and has played on soundtracks including Deadpool and Wolverine, A Haunting in Venice, Lady Chatterley’s Lover and Call of Duty.
Projects that Alastair has played for have been nominated for Grammy, Golden Globe and BAFTA awards as well as the Turner Prize. In a commercial setting Alastair has performed at festivals including Soultasia and Secret Garden Party and he played saxophone and clarinet in 4U: A Symphonic Celebration of Prince at the Royal Albert Hall.
As a soloist, Alastair has been a guest recitalist at the RNCM and Canterbury Christ Church University Saxophone Days, and at European and World Saxophone Congresses. Alastair’s solo albums Electric Dawn (Sospiro Records, 2015), Do You Hear Me? (Sospiro Records, 2020), Soar (Meadowbank Music, 2023), Quietude (Meadowbank Music, 2024) and The Last Tree (Meadowbank, 2025) have been described by critics as “totally engaging”, “a superb mix of sounds”, “an extended dazzling display of talent”, “a project that reaches out touches us all” and “a fine album notable for its superb playing as well as its message”, and have received airplay on BBC Radio and internationally.
In an orchestral setting Alastair has performed with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, London Contemporary
Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, London Concert Orchestra and Philharmonia at events including the BBC Proms, whilst as a composer Alastair has been commissioned by organisations including Park Lane Group, RVW Trust and City Music Foundation. Alastair’s compositions are regularly performed all over the world and have been recorded on numerous albums. Over thirty of Alastair’s works are published by Saxtet Publications and Sax Music Scores, and many more are self-published.
Six of Alastair’s compositions appear on the current ABRSM and Trinity Saxophone Syllabuses.
As an educator, Alastair is Professor of Saxophone at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has taught classes at the Royal Northern College of Music, Trinity Laban Conservatoire and Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama as well as internationally at UCLA and Cal State Fullerton (USA). Alastair is a regular tutor for Benslow Music, has been a guest tutor for the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain, and acted as editor, notation specialist, and model for John Harle’s seminal book The Saxophone (Faber).
Alastair runs a YouTube Channel, Saxophone Resources, which contains educational resources and receives over 40,000 views each month (and has exceeded 4.5 million total views).
Alastair is a City Music Foundation Artist, Park Lane Group Artist, BBC Introducing Artist, Live Music Now Artist, a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Musicians and a Fellow of Advance HE. He has won awards from the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, RNCM and St. Catharine’s College. Alastair is a Henri Selmer Paris, Vandoren UK, Buffet Crampon and Key Leaves Performing Artist.
http://www.alastairpenman.co.uk
Although classically trained, Alastair enjoys exploring many musical worlds; such influences can be heard in his compositions and performances, which often transcend genre definition.
In a jazz setting Alastair has performed at Montreux and London Jazz Festivals as well as at jazz clubs
across Europe, and he played on Cassie Kinoshi’s recent album Gratitude, recorded live at the Southbank Centre. Alastair is in great demand as a session musician and has played on soundtracks including Deadpool and Wolverine, A Haunting in Venice, Lady Chatterley’s Lover and Call of Duty.
Projects that Alastair has played for have been nominated for Grammy, Golden Globe and BAFTA awards as well as the Turner Prize. In a commercial setting Alastair has performed at festivals including Soultasia and Secret Garden Party and he played saxophone and clarinet in 4U: A Symphonic Celebration of Prince at the Royal Albert Hall.
As a soloist, Alastair has been a guest recitalist at the RNCM and Canterbury Christ Church University Saxophone Days, and at European and World Saxophone Congresses. Alastair’s solo albums Electric Dawn (Sospiro Records, 2015), Do You Hear Me? (Sospiro Records, 2020), Soar (Meadowbank Music, 2023), Quietude (Meadowbank Music, 2024) and The Last Tree (Meadowbank, 2025) have been described by critics as “totally engaging”, “a superb mix of sounds”, “an extended dazzling display of talent”, “a project that reaches out touches us all” and “a fine album notable for its superb playing as well as its message”, and have received airplay on BBC Radio and internationally.
In an orchestral setting Alastair has performed with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, London Contemporary
Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, London Concert Orchestra and Philharmonia at events including the BBC Proms, whilst as a composer Alastair has been commissioned by organisations including Park Lane Group, RVW Trust and City Music Foundation. Alastair’s compositions are regularly performed all over the world and have been recorded on numerous albums. Over thirty of Alastair’s works are published by Saxtet Publications and Sax Music Scores, and many more are self-published.
Six of Alastair’s compositions appear on the current ABRSM and Trinity Saxophone Syllabuses.
As an educator, Alastair is Professor of Saxophone at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has taught classes at the Royal Northern College of Music, Trinity Laban Conservatoire and Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama as well as internationally at UCLA and Cal State Fullerton (USA). Alastair is a regular tutor for Benslow Music, has been a guest tutor for the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain, and acted as editor, notation specialist, and model for John Harle’s seminal book The Saxophone (Faber).
Alastair runs a YouTube Channel, Saxophone Resources, which contains educational resources and receives over 40,000 views each month (and has exceeded 4.5 million total views).
Alastair is a City Music Foundation Artist, Park Lane Group Artist, BBC Introducing Artist, Live Music Now Artist, a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Musicians and a Fellow of Advance HE. He has won awards from the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, RNCM and St. Catharine’s College. Alastair is a Henri Selmer Paris, Vandoren UK, Buffet Crampon and Key Leaves Performing Artist.
http://www.alastairpenman.co.uk
Rory McInroy
Rory McInroy is a professional jazz pianist who has been performing for some thirty years in a wide variety of styles, including jazz, blues, soul, rockabilly, fusion, big-band swing, pop and rock.
He has toured Europe with a Blues Brothers tribute band, worked in the Middle East as a pianist in 5 star hotels, was musical director of the 20-piece Skyliners Swing band in Bahrain for three years, and has also been musical director of many theatre shows, including High School Musical, The Full Monty, The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan and Bugsy Malone.
He is a well-established music educator, with over thirty years experience as a piano tutor, and 18 years experience as a Primary School teacher, where he worked as a music specialist, and ran choirs and junior children's orchestras. He has also run many workshops in the UK and abroad teaching improvisation to all instrumentalists.
He teaches piano at his home in Carterton, West Oxfordshire, where he offers both classical and jazz ABRSM grades to those who want to pursue exams. He specialises in teaching jazz improvisation.
Currently Rory works as a freelance jazz pianist, playing with many different ensembles, including The Kim Cypher Band, the Lee Jones Quartet and his own trio, and is the regular pianist with the Radio Days Big Band (http://radio-days.co.uk) He is also in demand as a solo pianist, as an accompanist for singers and as a rehearsal and performance pianist for theatre shows. With his experience, reputation and wide range of professional music contacts, he can put together an excellent jazz band of any size to suit your requirements.
https://www.rorymcinroy.com/
A taster video for Alastair's latest album
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Albert Victor Young (1899-1956)
Beautiful Love (1931) [4'30]
Beautiful love, you're all a mystery
Beautiful love, what have you done to me?
I was contented 'til you came along
Thrilling my soul with your song
Beautiful love, I've roamed your paradise
Searching for love, my dream to realise
Reaching for heaven depending on you
Beautiful love, will my dreams come true?
This is the original 1931 recording with Bing Crosby, and the Victor Young Orchestra.
Beautiful Love (1931) [4'30]
Beautiful love, you're all a mystery
Beautiful love, what have you done to me?
I was contented 'til you came along
Thrilling my soul with your song
Beautiful love, I've roamed your paradise
Searching for love, my dream to realise
Reaching for heaven depending on you
Beautiful love, will my dreams come true?
This is the original 1931 recording with Bing Crosby, and the Victor Young Orchestra.
Antônio Carlos Brasileiro de Almeida Jobim (aka Tim Jobim, 1927-1994)
Triste (1966) [5'00])
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Triste é viver na solidão
Na dor cruel de uma paixão Triste é saber que ninguém Pode viver de ilusão Que nunca vai ser, nunca vai dar O sonhador tem que acordar Tua beleza é um avião Demais prum pobre coração Que pára pra te ver passar Só pra me maltratar Triste é viver na solidão |
It's sad to live in solitude
In the cruel pain of passion It's sad to know that no one Can live in illusion That will never be, will never happen The dreamer must wake up Your beauty is an airplane Too much for a poor heart That stops to watch you pass Just to mistreat me It's sad to live in solitude |
This 1974 release, on an album called Culpar al Destino (Blame Destiny/Fate), features the sweet voice of Brazilian singer Elis Regina (1945-82).
Charlie Parker Jr (nick: Bird, Yardbird, 1920-1955)
Anthropology, originally Thriving from a Riff (1945) [3'30]
Some complain that the first version here is too fast - especially if you are trying to learn the words! The second recording is certainly not slow, but see which you prefer!
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Vincent Millie Youmans (1898-1946)
from the musical comedy No, No, Nanette
Tea for Two (1924) [4'30]
We learn a lot from the label on this old record. His Master's Voice - HMV, of course - was a brand of the Victor Talking Machine Co of Camden, New Jersey. No, no, Nanette, debuted in Chicago in 1924 and did not reach London's West End until 1925, Later that year, it was on Broadway too. The Benson Orchestra is directed here by Don Bestor.
Jimmy (James) Van Heusen (b Edward Chester Babcock, 1913-1990)
Darn That Dream (1939) [4'30]
The label on this HMV/Victor recording says, correctly, that the song comes from the musical 'Swingin' the Dream' - set in the 1890's as a loose re-telling of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream. That's not a great claim to fame as the show ran for only 13 performances at New York's Center Theatre. A year later, Benny Goodman's recording reached No 1 in the sales charts.
The Center Theatre had a varied life as music hall, straight theatre, musical theatre, had a redesign as an ice show venue, later a TV studio for live shows. It came to a sad end in 1954 when it was demolished so that the US Rubber Company could expand their building. The Center Theatre is the only part of the Rockefeller Center ever to have been demolished.
First we have Tommy Dorsey's 1939 recording with his Orchestra. The singer is Anita Boyer.
That is followed by the Benny Goodman recording with singer Mildred Bailey - and all the other credits are on the Columbia label!
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Cole Albert Porter (1891-1964)
introduced in the musical Jubilee by June Knight, at the Imperial Theatre
Begin the Beguine (1935) [5'30]
This is the most successful early orchestral recording of the song, by Artie Shaw and his Orchestra, recorded in 1938.
Victor Young
My Foolish Heart (1949) [6'00]
The contributor to YouTube tells us:
The song was introduced by the singer Martha Mears in the 1949 film of the same name. The song failed to escape critics' general laceration of the film. Time wrote in its review that "nothing offsets the blight of such tear-splashed excesses as the bloop-bleep-bloop of a sentimental ballad on the sound track." Nevertheless, the song was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1949 but lost out to "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Frank Loesser.
Let's see and hear the performance directly from the original film:
Cole Porter
Love for Sale (1930) [4'30]
It's difficult to beat wikipedia's introduction to this song: "Love for Sale" is a song by Cole Porter introduced by Kathryn Crawford in the musical The New Yorkers, which opened on Broadway on December 8, 1930, and closed in May 1931 after 168 performances. The song is written from the viewpoint of a prostitute advertising "love for sale".
The earliset recording is this popular version by Billie Holliday in 1952 with Oscar Peterson at the piano.
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Previous concert
25 September 2025 - 2 guitars of Gus McQuade & Gonçalo Maia Caetano - click here
Next concert 9 October 2025 - Phil Hopkins, harmonica, with pianist Lindsay Bridgwater click here
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