Quintet for Harmonica & String Quartet and String Quartets 1 & 2

Tony Kinsey is well-known as one of the most influential drummers and bandleaders on the British modern jazz scene, his career extending back to his time with John Dankworth’s innovative late ‘40s band. In recent decades he has extended his composing from pure jazz into film and TV music, concert suites for big bands, and during the last few years into music inspired by classical styles and structures. He has written two string quartets, both premiered in concert and recorded in the studio by Quartet Pro Musica, led by Patrick Halling, himself a noted performer and recording artist, who played violin on The Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love”. Tony subsequently explored the possibilities of marrying chromatic harmonica with a string quartet in a four-movement quintet, which includes improvised and jazz-inspired elements. This was also introduced on stage and subsequently recorded by Quartet Pro Music, performing with the noted young harmonica player Philip Achille, BBC Young Musician Of The Year in 2008, and who played in Jon Bon Jovi’s 2007 Royal Variety performance, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s birthday celebration in Hyde Park in 2008, and on Lionel Ritchie’s Jonathan Ross Show appearance. This 2-CD set comprises all three works. It is a fascinating insight into the talent of a celebrated jazz musician applying his talent across creative boundaries and makes for absorbing listening.