Alert! No, this is not a Government Warning. We just want to let you know about an upcoming summer concert to celebrate the life of saxophone star Barbara Thompson that will be an event, not to be missed and undoubtedly a night to remember. An impressive array of jazz, rock and classical performers will take part in the memorial show, due to take place on 2nd June at the Union Chapel, Islington, London. Tickets here.
Barbara, who passed away in 2022 after a long battle with Parkinson ’s disease, was a virtuoso saxophonist, composer and bandleader as well as a much loved personality, often proclaimed ‘A force of nature.’ Among the highlights of the concert that starts at 6 p.m. will be new interpretations of Barbara’s work with her band Paraphernalia performed by Jess Gillam, herself a saxophonist and BBC radio broadcaster, alongside Gary Husband on drums and other guest saxophonists.
There will also be performances by colleagues from Colosseum, the legendary jazz-rock band founded by Barbara’s husband, the late Jon Hiseman and by their daughter singer/songwriter Ana Gracey who has devised the concert. A chamber music trio, string and saxophone quartets and to cap it all a 12 piece saxophone orchestra and fifty strong choir Big Sky will ensure good rockin’ – down at the Union Hall, as Little Richard once sang. But here’s another alert. Bring a cushion. Those wooden seats can be a real bummer.
Footnote: Ticket sales and donations on the night will go to the Cure Parkinson’s