Pershore Jazz Club
It was with some trepidation that we brought the Ralph Allin Quartet to Pershore, a stronghold of traditional jazz, but it was good to see many familiar faces - and some friends from Upton Jazz Festival who were already converted! Our reservations were quickly banished as the band swung into their first number. Toes started tapping and looks of amazement turned to smiles of pleasure as the incredible virtuosity and enthusiasm of the quartet took hold right from the start. The foursome gave us a programme of standards, gypsy, latin, folk and traditional numbers all infused with Ralph’s inimitable style where his awesome technical skill did not detract from the essence of the melody. As an extra treat for the trad fans he even turned his violin into a banjo, using a plectrum improvised from a business card.
Wonderful jazz music in a style all of their own plus Ralph’s dry sense of humour made it a night to remember at Pershore Jazz Club.
Out & About
For those who have not heard Ralph and his band play, you've missed a musical experience second to none. Ralph plays violin; well, he not only plays, he involves his whole being into an integrated rhythmic and melodic experience. This is what you get when you see him. Perhaps very importantly he also injects humour into his music. This is not immediately obvious to the uninitiated, but I've known him over a number of years and grown to enjoy the hints of humour. We had all the jazz classics - they were all performed with wonderful precision, style and artistry. Especially evocative was 'Autumn Leaves'. It was an evening to be treasured and remembered.
Pete Brown.
A Portrait of Stephane Grappelli
Thanks to the remarkable talent of Ralph Allin, the music and style of the late, great jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli is being revived. Allin has the skill to make his violin talk, or should that be 'sing', and the other four members of his quintet played no small part in this memorable programme. I Got Rhythm, Oh Lady Be Good, La Vie En Rose, Jealousy, Someone to Watch Over Me, and Stephane Grappelli's all-time favourite, Ain't Misbehavin', were delivered with considerable panache.
Paul Marston.
New King of the Jazz Violin, Grand Theatre - Wolverhampton
After Ralph Allin's spell-binding tribute to the great jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli, the realm is in safe hands. Allin's guided tour through the formative days of jazz was compered by Radio 2's David Jacobs, and between them they recreated and embraced the memory of the French genius. Through Allin's musical mastery we could practically taste the Pastis of the Parisian jazz club, the goulash of the Hungarian gypsy and feel the swing of the Deep South, but to dwell on the past is to ignore the new talent on the jazz scene, as Allin's technique has dragged an old violin from the old age to the space age.
Solihull News.
Ralph Allin And All That Jazz!
They had promised us a night to remember. We were not disappointed. Tickets were amongst the hottest in town, and not surprisingly, since Ralph Allin and his musicians have developed a growing reputation and demand both in concerts throughout the country and on the radio for the distinct and special interpretation they give to many of the much-loved classics. Allin is a virtuoso of the violin and we heard that in the first part of the concert where, accompanied by Jadie Carey on cello and Chris Collis on piano, they ranged over works by Mozart, Borodin and others. As Allin put it, “We have so many good composers writing for us.” Humour was apparent all evening in the introductions and throw-away lines – and for good measure we were treated to a little gentle magical illusion. Part two of the concert took us straight into the heart of jazz, including pieces by Gershwin, Waller and Berlin. The trio was joined by Steve Street on drums and during the riffs they showed just what good musicians they were as many of the standards were given fresh and interesting interpretations. “I Got Rhythm” – no doubt about it: they certainly had. The audience loved it all. Their applause and demands for encore proved the point.
Review by Mike Alder.
Birmingham International Jazz Festival
Ralph Allin is a revelation, there is no better jazz violin player in the country. He leads his highly talented young band through a high pressure, non-stop programme of great swing. A class act.
Harp Jazz Club
Todays session was one of the most amazing ever to be held at the Harp, when jazz violinist Ralph Allin brought in his quartet. I, along with everyone else, couldn't believe our ears. The brilliant violin playing and enthusiasm of Ralph was matched by his three companions Jadie Carey on bass, Rich Hughes on piano and Steve Street on drums. Playing everything from Gershwin to Irish and Hungarian 'jazz' standards (!) with Ralph’s own “Kindred Spirit”, a tribute to Stephane Grappelli, being the highlight for me of a wonderful Sunday lunchtime. Having said that, we shouldn’t forget the superb 'Summertime' by Rich Hughes and the excellent contributions from Jadie Carey.
It was with some trepidation that we brought the Ralph Allin Quartet to Pershore, a stronghold of traditional jazz, but it was good to see many familiar faces - and some friends from Upton Jazz Festival who were already converted! Our reservations were quickly banished as the band swung into their first number. Toes started tapping and looks of amazement turned to smiles of pleasure as the incredible virtuosity and enthusiasm of the quartet took hold right from the start. The foursome gave us a programme of standards, gypsy, latin, folk and traditional numbers all infused with Ralph’s inimitable style where his awesome technical skill did not detract from the essence of the melody. As an extra treat for the trad fans he even turned his violin into a banjo, using a plectrum improvised from a business card.
Wonderful jazz music in a style all of their own plus Ralph’s dry sense of humour made it a night to remember at Pershore Jazz Club.
Out & About
For those who have not heard Ralph and his band play, you've missed a musical experience second to none. Ralph plays violin; well, he not only plays, he involves his whole being into an integrated rhythmic and melodic experience. This is what you get when you see him. Perhaps very importantly he also injects humour into his music. This is not immediately obvious to the uninitiated, but I've known him over a number of years and grown to enjoy the hints of humour. We had all the jazz classics - they were all performed with wonderful precision, style and artistry. Especially evocative was 'Autumn Leaves'. It was an evening to be treasured and remembered.
Pete Brown.
A Portrait of Stephane Grappelli
Thanks to the remarkable talent of Ralph Allin, the music and style of the late, great jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli is being revived. Allin has the skill to make his violin talk, or should that be 'sing', and the other four members of his quintet played no small part in this memorable programme. I Got Rhythm, Oh Lady Be Good, La Vie En Rose, Jealousy, Someone to Watch Over Me, and Stephane Grappelli's all-time favourite, Ain't Misbehavin', were delivered with considerable panache.
Paul Marston.
New King of the Jazz Violin, Grand Theatre - Wolverhampton
After Ralph Allin's spell-binding tribute to the great jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli, the realm is in safe hands. Allin's guided tour through the formative days of jazz was compered by Radio 2's David Jacobs, and between them they recreated and embraced the memory of the French genius. Through Allin's musical mastery we could practically taste the Pastis of the Parisian jazz club, the goulash of the Hungarian gypsy and feel the swing of the Deep South, but to dwell on the past is to ignore the new talent on the jazz scene, as Allin's technique has dragged an old violin from the old age to the space age.
Solihull News.
Ralph Allin And All That Jazz!
They had promised us a night to remember. We were not disappointed. Tickets were amongst the hottest in town, and not surprisingly, since Ralph Allin and his musicians have developed a growing reputation and demand both in concerts throughout the country and on the radio for the distinct and special interpretation they give to many of the much-loved classics. Allin is a virtuoso of the violin and we heard that in the first part of the concert where, accompanied by Jadie Carey on cello and Chris Collis on piano, they ranged over works by Mozart, Borodin and others. As Allin put it, “We have so many good composers writing for us.” Humour was apparent all evening in the introductions and throw-away lines – and for good measure we were treated to a little gentle magical illusion. Part two of the concert took us straight into the heart of jazz, including pieces by Gershwin, Waller and Berlin. The trio was joined by Steve Street on drums and during the riffs they showed just what good musicians they were as many of the standards were given fresh and interesting interpretations. “I Got Rhythm” – no doubt about it: they certainly had. The audience loved it all. Their applause and demands for encore proved the point.
Review by Mike Alder.
Birmingham International Jazz Festival
Ralph Allin is a revelation, there is no better jazz violin player in the country. He leads his highly talented young band through a high pressure, non-stop programme of great swing. A class act.
Harp Jazz Club
Todays session was one of the most amazing ever to be held at the Harp, when jazz violinist Ralph Allin brought in his quartet. I, along with everyone else, couldn't believe our ears. The brilliant violin playing and enthusiasm of Ralph was matched by his three companions Jadie Carey on bass, Rich Hughes on piano and Steve Street on drums. Playing everything from Gershwin to Irish and Hungarian 'jazz' standards (!) with Ralph’s own “Kindred Spirit”, a tribute to Stephane Grappelli, being the highlight for me of a wonderful Sunday lunchtime. Having said that, we shouldn’t forget the superb 'Summertime' by Rich Hughes and the excellent contributions from Jadie Carey.