12.30 lunchtime
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Sponsors:
Patricia Morgan Optician Julie West Solicitor Supported by: Leatherhead Concert & Arts Society
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Programme
Need To Know - Alice Auer
(opening track from Alice’s debut EP Close To You) Wave 1967 Antônio Carlos Jobim (1927-1994) A bossa nova tune originally recorded as an instrumental on Jobim’s 1967 album of the same name. The song has been performed by artists including Frank Sinatra and Nancy Wilson Lights - Alice Auer An original track, describing the longing for summer weather and freedom Hey Laura Gregory Porter (b1971) Featured on the album Liquid Spirit which was awarded a Grammy for ‘est Jazz Vocal Album of 2014 Disguise - Alice Auer An original track, about how in today's society we long to change the way we look and act and how sometimes it isn’t always easy to live up to other people's expectations. If You Were The Rain Stephen Day (b1996) Featured on the album Undergrad Romance released 2016, upcoming American singer-songwriter Stephen Day writes about love. Close To You - Alice Auer The title track of the EP, Close To You describes emotions such as love and feeling close and safe with someone Taking Chances - Alice Auer Featured on the EP, Taking Chances describes how to take risks in life even if it may take you on difficult paths Crazy He Calls Me (1949) Carl Sigman (1909-2000), Lyrics by Bob Russell (1914-1970) Written in 1949, Crazy He Calls Me is a beautiful ballad and has been performed by many famous artists including Billie Holliday and Dinah Washington (You will find recordings of both further down this page) On the Sunny Side Of The Street (1930) Jimmy McHugh (1894-1969) Lyrics by Dorothy Fields (1905-1974) One of Alice’s favourite jazz standards, Sunny Side Of The Street was written in 1930. It has been played by such greats as Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, Earl Hines and Benny Goodman. Never Have - Alice Auer The ending song of the EP Close To You, and an uplifting finish to today's concert Concert Duration: 40-45 minutes, or perhaps a little more |
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Free Concert, with a retiring collection to cover costs. Tea and coffee will be available after the concert.
It has been a busy week for Alice and the band, with every ounce of their effort being focused on Saturday's launch of her debut EP Close to You - which will be on sale after Thursday's concert. I caught up with Alice on Tuesday afternoon and here's what she had to say about her concert in Leatherhead:
Tuesday Sep 19: My programme for next week is set to include original songs from my debut EP Close To You which I am releasing this Saturday, the 23rd.
My style can be described as a mixture between jazz/soul/pop but I've always had a love for traditional jazz. I will therefore be performing a few jazz standards in this performance. The standards will include...
Talking to group members after the concert: they enjoyed the fact that our audience had come specifically to hear their performance. At this early stage in their careers they are generally a support act to the headline performers, so it was particularly enjoyable to headline for a change, for an appreciative and attentive audience !
Tuesday Sep 19: My programme for next week is set to include original songs from my debut EP Close To You which I am releasing this Saturday, the 23rd.
My style can be described as a mixture between jazz/soul/pop but I've always had a love for traditional jazz. I will therefore be performing a few jazz standards in this performance. The standards will include...
- Sunny Side Of The Street by Jimmy McHugh, which is one of my favourite standards
- Crazy He Calls Me by Carl Sigman, a beautiful ballad with descriptive melodies and heartfelt lyrics
- Hey Laura by Gregory Porter, a more modern standard but very beautiful
- Wave by Antônio Carlos Jobim, a playful bossa nova.
Talking to group members after the concert: they enjoyed the fact that our audience had come specifically to hear their performance. At this early stage in their careers they are generally a support act to the headline performers, so it was particularly enjoyable to headline for a change, for an appreciative and attentive audience !
The Alice Auer Quartet...
Alice Auer vocals
Alice Auer is a vocalist pursuing her dream of music in London. Working closely with musicians to produce original material in a Jazz, Soul and Pop style.
Alice began her musical studies after gaining a music scholarship to St Bede’s where she was tutored by composer and performer Andrew Barclay. She participated in a music exchange to USA to perform with the Sussex Youth Orchestra, New Jersey. Whilst studying at Bede’s, Alice also started performing in her first band, ‘Fred’s Tattoo’. Whilst in the band they competed successfully in Rock Competitions, held fundraising events and appeared at local rock festivals.
Alongside her studies Alice was also a member of a Performing Arts School - Mad Fish where she studied under talented vocalist and director Emma Burnett (formally a member of D’Oyly Carte). Whilst studying with Mad Fish Alice competed successfully with many wins at Musical Festivals as a soloist, duettist, and in groups. In her final years at Mad Fish Alice performed as Cosette in a sold out production of Les Miserables.
After school Alice gained an unconditional offer to the London College of Music to study Music Performance. She was immediately intrigued by the jazz course and the dedicated teaching style from Pete Cook, and decided to focus her performance attention to jazz. She began lessons with top UK jazz singer Iain Mackenzie, found her suited performance styles, and gained a vast repertoire selection. Throughout her time at LCM Alice was given some amazing performance opportunities including performing with the jazz vocal ensemble as support for legendary saxophonist Courtney Pine.
Upon graduating Alice was given the most exciting opportunity so far in her career, a chance to perform at the Ealing Jazz Festival. She performed on the Main Stage along artists such as Roy Ayers, Yolanda Brown and Vasilis Xenopoulos. Alice is currently working on original material with her band and is excited to perform it and record her EP in the new year.
Alice began her musical studies after gaining a music scholarship to St Bede’s where she was tutored by composer and performer Andrew Barclay. She participated in a music exchange to USA to perform with the Sussex Youth Orchestra, New Jersey. Whilst studying at Bede’s, Alice also started performing in her first band, ‘Fred’s Tattoo’. Whilst in the band they competed successfully in Rock Competitions, held fundraising events and appeared at local rock festivals.
Alongside her studies Alice was also a member of a Performing Arts School - Mad Fish where she studied under talented vocalist and director Emma Burnett (formally a member of D’Oyly Carte). Whilst studying with Mad Fish Alice competed successfully with many wins at Musical Festivals as a soloist, duettist, and in groups. In her final years at Mad Fish Alice performed as Cosette in a sold out production of Les Miserables.
After school Alice gained an unconditional offer to the London College of Music to study Music Performance. She was immediately intrigued by the jazz course and the dedicated teaching style from Pete Cook, and decided to focus her performance attention to jazz. She began lessons with top UK jazz singer Iain Mackenzie, found her suited performance styles, and gained a vast repertoire selection. Throughout her time at LCM Alice was given some amazing performance opportunities including performing with the jazz vocal ensemble as support for legendary saxophonist Courtney Pine.
Upon graduating Alice was given the most exciting opportunity so far in her career, a chance to perform at the Ealing Jazz Festival. She performed on the Main Stage along artists such as Roy Ayers, Yolanda Brown and Vasilis Xenopoulos. Alice is currently working on original material with her band and is excited to perform it and record her EP in the new year.
Ben Wickins piano
Keyboard-playing singer-songwriter Ben Wickins enjoys nothing more than sitting down and listening to a Steely Dan record with a cup of ginger tea. With ears ruined by progressive metal and modern soul alike, his unorthodox approach to writing is inspired by a love of musical oddballs (David Bowie, Prince) and old favourites (Donny Hathaway, Aretha Franklin).
Having regularly appeared as a solo artist at London's renowned Troubadour, Ben has also worked with Alice Auer as an arranger and keyboard player on her debut EP Close To You.
Having regularly appeared as a solo artist at London's renowned Troubadour, Ben has also worked with Alice Auer as an arranger and keyboard player on her debut EP Close To You.
Dan Hemsley bass
Session bassist and ex BRIT School Student Dan Hemsley performs regularly in and around London. Playing and studying both Upright and Electric Bass has driven his passion for music and his musical influences include Jazz, Funk and Rock.
His performances with many up and coming original artists and pit bands show his diversity and originality, from small venues to large stage performances, Dan's performance and professionalism shine through.
Dan regularly gigs at one of London’s popular Live Music Venues, The Troubadour, and has had the opportunity to work with many talented musicians and exciting new artists including Alice Auer, recently playing bass on her Debut EP Close To You.
His performances with many up and coming original artists and pit bands show his diversity and originality, from small venues to large stage performances, Dan's performance and professionalism shine through.
Dan regularly gigs at one of London’s popular Live Music Venues, The Troubadour, and has had the opportunity to work with many talented musicians and exciting new artists including Alice Auer, recently playing bass on her Debut EP Close To You.
Joe-Neil Solan drums
Recently arrived from France, Joe-Neil Solan decided the British capital was where he wanted to apply his craft as a professional drummer. Joe’s love for soul and groove-based music is evident when he picks up the sticks, but other diverse influences (Steve Gadd, Mark Guiliana, Matt Gartska to cite a few) have contributed to make him a unique drummer, combining rock and soul influenced grooves with more subtle, melodic playing.
Since his move to London, Joe-Neil has had the chance to work with very talented and extremely promising artists such as Alice Auer, creating exciting new music and gigging regularly in the hippest venues in London.
Since his move to London, Joe-Neil has had the chance to work with very talented and extremely promising artists such as Alice Auer, creating exciting new music and gigging regularly in the hippest venues in London.
mostly JAZZ Concert at Home
If you cannot be with us at the lunchtime concert
you can enjoy a similar Concert at Home by clicking through the videos or recordings below:
you can enjoy a similar Concert at Home by clicking through the videos or recordings below:
Clearly we cannot bring you extracts from Alice's new EP Close to You - launched at The Troubadour, Earls Court, on Saturday September 23rd.
Here, then are a few of the jazz standards from Alice Auer's lunchtime concert, starting with Antônio Carols Jobim's Bossa Nova number Wave, in a live performance with Herbie Hancock:
Here, then are a few of the jazz standards from Alice Auer's lunchtime concert, starting with Antônio Carols Jobim's Bossa Nova number Wave, in a live performance with Herbie Hancock:
Continuing with recordings from live performance, here's Gregory Porter in a recording for lefigaro.tv of his Hey Laura:
If You Were the Rain, Stephen Day's song, is performed here by Andy Kim, and The JHU AllNighters:
(JHU - John Hopkins University, New York)
(JHU - John Hopkins University, New York)
What could be finer than listening to Billie Holliday AND Dinah Washington with Carl Sigman and Bob Russell's 1949 standard, Crazy He Calls Me ? So here they both are:
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On the Sunny Side of the Street has been recorded so very many times. Let's look first to a period performance. On the left you will find Pat Friday in 1944, with the AFRS (American Forces Radio Service) Orchestra, and the Henry Russell Sextet.
On the right is a 2017 recording by Ana Paula Higino, vocals, Francisco Daud, piano, Mauricio Abachioni, bass and Gabriel Taboni, percussion:
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I was so carried away by Pat Friday's voice that I let youtube continue into her recording of Eric Coates' 1930s standard By the Sleepy Lagoon, with 1940s lyrics added by Jack Lawrence.
This could transport you to a desert island, along with your eight favourite records.
This could transport you to a desert island, along with your eight favourite records.
We hope you have enjoyed your JAZZ Concert at Home.
