Arq at Hen And Chicken

For the past two years ARQ (The Alison Rayner Quintet) has built a substantial and wide ranging audience for their “deliciously upbeat, groovy and thoughtful jazz” (Jazz UK); following the success of their acclaimed debut album August in 2014 and subsequent national tour, which we were part off and enjoyed a fab’ evening

The new album A Magic Life was recorded in London this summer and will be released in November 2016 and is bursting with melodic and harmonic references from classical, roots and folk musics. Rayner cites both Charlie Haden and Eberhard Weber as influences – but there is always a strong sense of Rayner’s musical personality evident in the poignant folk melodies, rootsy grooves and improvisational invention....

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For the past two years ARQ (The Alison Rayner Quintet) has built a substantial and wide ranging audience for their “deliciously upbeat, groovy and thoughtful jazz” (Jazz UK); following the success of their acclaimed debut album August in 2014 and subsequent national tour, which we were part off and enjoyed a fab’ evening

The new album A Magic Life was recorded in London this summer and will be released in November 2016 and is bursting with melodic and harmonic references from classical, roots and folk musics. Rayner cites both Charlie Haden and Eberhard Weber as influences – but there is always a strong sense of Rayner’s musical personality evident in the poignant folk melodies, rootsy grooves and improvisational invention.
‘I was inspired to call the album A Magic Life because of two recent incidents. The loss of a friend last year, who wrote in her own epitaph about how magic her life had been; then a chance encounter with a young boy, who asked me "Is music stronger than magic?" I replied that to me, music is a merging of magic and logic. These events set me on a course of thinking about connections between memory, mortality, magic – and music.’

In ARQ, Alison Rayner has gathered a group of fine musicians who sympathetically support her music: The group’s imaginative and assured playing are superbly suited to Rayner’s compositions and reflect a confidence inspired by working intensively together, touring her first album.

Live reviews:
“A master-class in empathetic playing with superb solos and a rhythm section of the highest calibre; don’t miss these virtuoso musicians when they come to town.” Phil Webb, Restormel Arts, Cornwall

"In a Jazz age with an abundance of technical excellence – and ARQ have it in great quantity – we look for something else as well. ARQ bring to the stage a musical bond that is expressed in such fun and joyful moments that it is a pleasure to be in the room with them; Jazz of the highest quality." Phil Rose, Birmingham Jazz

Blow the Fuse presents ARQ; ‘A Magic Life’, the production of which has been supported by the Arts Council’s Grants for the Arts scheme.

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