Arq – Alison Rayner Quintet at Vortex Jazz Club

ARQ is a vital and creative jazz quintet led by bass player Alison Rayner, whose profile has risen dramatically over the past four years, with extensive touring and critical acclaim for their second album, ‘A Magic Life’.

Described by the Guardian as ‘spirited, eloquent and graceful’ and by the Observer as ‘a beautifully integrated band’, their music is inventive, vibrantly colourful and unfailingly melodic, possessed of a strong sense of narrative and cinematic quality. Their combination of richly nuanced compositions – frequently inspired by personal experience – with folk-infused grooves, skilful musicianship and a love of improvisation, creates a compelling and coherent whole....

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ARQ is a vital and creative jazz quintet led by bass player Alison Rayner, whose profile has risen dramatically over the past four years, with extensive touring and critical acclaim for their second album, ‘A Magic Life’.

Described by the Guardian as ‘spirited, eloquent and graceful’ and by the Observer as ‘a beautifully integrated band’, their music is inventive, vibrantly colourful and unfailingly melodic, possessed of a strong sense of narrative and cinematic quality. Their combination of richly nuanced compositions – frequently inspired by personal experience – with folk-infused grooves, skilful musicianship and a love of improvisation, creates a compelling and coherent whole.

They have built a substantial and wide-ranging audience, receiving national and international radio play and four and five star reviews in jazz and national press. Their recent 35-date ‘A Magic Life’ UK tour, supported by Arts Council of England, concluded with a sell-out night at the Soho Pizza Express Jazz Club.

‘Inspired by real-world ideas, people and situations but infused with the kind of heady imagination that transforms their resonances into a series of vivacious musical adventures’ ***** BBC Music Magazine

‘A gorgeous album synthesising mood, melody and the interplay between musicians totally at home with each other.’ **** Jazzwise

‘A celebration of life itself ‘ LondonJazzNews

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