Ralph Freeman Quintet: Jewish Composers of The Great American Songbook

The quintet brings fresh interpretations to compositions by the songwriters whose Broadway melodies became the backbone of jazz standards, and whose stories are woven through immigration, assimilation, and the Jewish musical traditions that shaped American popular song.

The Line-Up

Ralph Freeman - Piano

Steve Waterman - Trumpet & Flugelhorn

Art Themen - Tenor Saxophone

Ian Marcus - Double Bass & Flute

Dave Barry - Drums

About the Band

Ralph Freeman, now based in London, founded the St Ives Jazz Club in 1996 (winner, Jazz Venue of the Year, All Party Parliamentary Jazz Awards). As composer-pianist, he leads his own London-based trios and quartets and has worked with many of Britain's leading jazz musicians.

Art Themen, a British Jazz Awards winner, toured the world fronting Stan Tracey's quartet for 20 years and has performed with artists ranging from Mick Jagger and George Harrison to Bing Crosby. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Worshipful Company of Musicians.

Steve Waterman studied at Trinity College of Music and has worked across the British and European jazz scene with John Surman, Carla Bley, Andy Sheppard and others. He is Professor of Jazz Trumpet at Trinity College of Music.

Ian Marcus is a freelance performer and educator, currently touring with the Egyptian Jazz Project and playing regularly with the Florence Joel Quartet.

Dave Barry studied percussion at the Royal Academy of Music and has played on the British jazz scene since the 1970s with Mike Westbrook's Ensembles, Don Weller and others. He also teaches drums and percussion across London.

Join us for an evening of jazz standards and the remarkable stories behind the songs.