JCUK presents Allison Neale

Allison Neale is a distinctive voice on the UK jazz scene: the Seattle born altoist’s beautifully crafted lines evoke the spirit of Paul Desmond and Art Pepper, with whom she has a particular affinity. As a strong advocate of the melodic West Coast jazz style, Allison is widely regarded as one of the finest exponents on today’s scene. In her early years she performed alongside leading international artists such as Ellington vocalist Adelaide Hall and altoist Bud Shank and was a featured member of the John Dankworth ‘Generations Band’ and the ‘Back to Basie’ Orchestra.

Allison’s ten-year association with the great UK bebop guitarist Dave Cliff (Warne Marsh/Lee Konitz) was a special and influential musical partnership and led to her critically acclaimed debut recording, Melody Express (2004), which featured in the Guardian jazz critic Dave Gelly’s Top Ten Jazz Records of the Year. This was followed by a second CD, Blue Concept (2009), featuring Netherlands based trumpeter Gary Kavanagh which celebrates the compositions of Gigi Gryce. Her third album, I Wished on the Moon (2015), also featured up and coming Milt Jackson influenced vibraphonist Nat Steele and hard bop pianist Leon Greening.

This is a very welcome return visit to the JCUK for Allison and her group.