Jazz Festival Memories 7: Alan Barnes and Scarborough Jazz Festival

Mention Scarborough and, after the Candy Floss and the Kiss Me Quick (or a more contemporary phrase) hats, the first thing I think of is the Scarborough Jazz Festival and, by association, Alan Barnes who has compered the festival, since it began in 2003, longer than most of our 'beloved' Prime Ministers have held office.

Over the years (2007 - 2012) I made many friends (Hi Annie, hello Will and Liz Smith) and was amazed at Alan Barnes' versatility. Alto, tenor, baritone or clarinet it didn't seem to matter - he just slotted into the action.

A few of those moments:

2007: Alan Barnes' Liquorice-Stick All-Sorts. AB (clarinet); Colin Oxley (guitar); Jim Hart (vibes).

2008: With Bruce Adams on trumpet paying tribute to the Ellington small groups.

2009: Baritone sax with Andy Panayi's Big Band. Various saxes with Arnie Somogyi's Scenes in the City. Saxes and clarinet with Ken Peplowski.

2010: Alan Barnes plays Alan Barnes. Playing his own compositions.

2011: A tribute to Alan Plater with Liz Fletcher.

2012: AB on clarinet for a late night duo set with guitarist Martin Taylor.

There was also his patter in between numbers which was, and still is hilariously funny and, unlike Ronnie Scott's humour which, with the passage of time became repetitive, Barnes' humour, like his playing, always seems fresh. 

This year's festival takes place over the weekend of Sept. 23-25 and will, of course, be compered by Alan Barnes. DETAILS. Lance