PizzaExpress Jazz Club (Soho)

Kirk Lightsey is a legend of the jazz piano. He was born in Detroit in 1937, and grew up immersed in that city's rich musical culture. Deep roots and a feeling for the blues, together with a richly developed sense of harmony characterise his playing and make his concerts uplifting and joyful occasions. He is joined here on his only London dates of 2023 by a fine quartet featuring fellow Paris resident, the great US drummer Sangoma Everett, long time associate Steve Watts on bass and the exciting young tenor saxophonist Alex Hitchcock.

Book tickets for Kirk Lightsey Quartet ft Alex Hitchcock

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He began working in Jazz in the mid-50s, largely accompanying vocalists, first in New York and then, in the early 60s, on the west coast. He recorded with the great bebop saxophonist Sonny Stitt in 1965, and began an association with the subtle west coast singer/trumpeter Chet Baker, that resulted in five fine album recordings. At the beginning of the 80s, his career received a boost when he joined the popular saxophonist Dexter Gordon’s band for four years.

Last of the great Detroit piano players who emerged in the 1940s and 50s, and who included Barry Harris, Hank Jones, Tommy Flanagan and Sir Roland Hanna, Lightsey has been living in Paris since 2000. In 2022, he made his debut appearance at the PizzaExpress Jazz Club in two sold out shows during the Steinway 2-piano festival in duet with Benny Green.

Band Line Up

Kirk Lightsey (piano)

Steve Watts (bass)

Sangoma Everett (drums)

Alex Hitchcock (tenor saxophone)