Ben Crosland Quintet Plays The Ray Davies Songbook

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Last Show: Monday 8 th January 2018

PizzaExpress Jazz Club (Soho)

In 2016 The Ben Crosland Quintet released the critically acclaimed album 'The Ray Davies Songbook', a tribute to the Kinks iconic singer/composer Ray Davies. Crosland began his musical education at the age of thirteen playing along to the Kinks’ singles on the Dansette in his bedroom. Fifty years on, he has discovered new subtleties and strengths in Ray Davies’ compositions and has assembled a quintet of international standing to record and perform his imaginative arrangements. The Quintet features Crosland on bass, Theo Travis on tenor and soprano saxophones, John Etheridge on guitar, Steve Lodder on piano and keyboards, and Sebastiaan de Krom on drums.

"…the album swings consistently…with this sharp cogent collection, a dedicated follower of Ray Davies has made him a well-respected jazz composer too."

The Times

Strong grooves, a natural swing and strong, evocative melodies characterise Ray Davies’ songs which allows them to be beautifully re-interpreted in a more contemporary fashion. From straight-ahead swing through 8th feel grooves and ballads to reggae, Crosland and the band shine a new light on these classic songs.

The album was nominated by respected jazz writer Brian Morton as one of his albums of the year in the Jazz Journal Critics’ Poll 2016.

Band Lineup

Ben Crosland (bass)

Theo Travis (tenor and soprano saxophones)

John Etheridge (guitar)

Steve Lodder (piano and keyboards)

Sebastiaan de Krom (drums)