(Press
release )
Influenced by his African Caribbean
heritage and the New York jazz scene where he grew up, Toussaint was inspired
early on by “the funk, soul, calypso and reggae bands of [his]
youth”. Toussaint went on to form bands, tour, and become a member of
the legendary Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers – a jazz combo and rite of passage
in the jazz world.
Toussaint brings his latest project
to Sage Gateshead with his new album entitled ‘Jean Toussaint: Songs for
Sisters Brothers and others’ reflecting on the turbulent years of the Covid-19
pandemic.
Toussaint says “The Pandemic
caused me to focus on the fragility of life and the fact that we’re here one
moment and gone the next. With that in mind I wanted to pay tribute to my
wonderful siblings while they were still around to enjoy it so decided to write
a collection of songs for that purpose. I also wanted to take the opportunity
to pay tribute to other people and places important to my life.”
“He is one of the great saxophonists.
He has a mellow tone, so soulful you feel he could slip into funk or blues at
any second.” – London Jazz News
Band line up includes:
Jean Toussaint – saxophone
Jonathan Gee - piano
Mutale Chashi - bass
Shane Forbes – drums
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