Bringing Jazz Back To Its Roots In Chiswick

Larry Pryce is on a mission to revitalise the local music scene

Larry Pryce says that jazz, swing and blues is about to have a major revival in Chiswick, and he's going to be the one to make it happen.

A major player in the world of jazz, Larry, who is formerly of the Dover Street restaurant and jazz bar, is a sometime BBC commentator and music journalist, and also responsible for finding many of the jazz acts for the Bulls Head in Barnes.

"I've discovered through my contacts that there are so many talented jazz musicians in Chiswick, some of them seni-retired, and I want to resurrect their careers and also bring other talented acts into the area. Jazz used to be a major feature of life in Chiswick and I feel its due a revival."

He has now co-founded the monthly jazz night in the Boston Room at the George IV inconjunction with The Chiswick Calendar, and is confident that the jazz nights will grow in popularity.

The next one is at 7.30 pm Thursday 27 April and features French singer and violinist Oriana Curls with her trio. Her approach been described as "vintage vocals evoking the back streets of Montmartre together with a touch of the American speakeasy", and Oriana has a four-octave range in her voice, which soars effortlessly through Jazz, Blues and Gallic chanson material.

She has worked with some of the best musicians, writers and producers around, including Andy Bradfield (Imelda May, Rufus Wainwright), Marcella Puppini and Alex Golding, (Lulu, Keziah Jones)

And a Chiswick based band, The Jazz Mondays (they rehearse on a Monday) has been booked for Thursday, May 25th 7.30 pm A big band with a wall of six saxophones (from soprano to baritone), a four piece rhythm section and 'knock your socks off' vocalist who play clubs and festivals and just happen to come from Chiswick.

April 21, 2017