Courtney Pine, star saxophonist, jazz instrumentalist and a leading figure in the UK jazz scene, has been at the forefront of exciting and innovative Jazz for the past twenty years. It was the beginning of a long and varied recording career, when in 1987, his debut album, "Journey To The Urge Within" was the first serious jazz album ever to make the British Top 40.

In 2000 Courtney Pine was awarded an O.B.E for his services to Jazz and it has been announced that he is to be honoured again with a C.B.E (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for services to music, in the New Years Honours 2009.

Speaking about the award he said: "I am deeply moved to be honoured, I never imagined that I would be recognized for playing improvised music in the United Kingdom in this way. This acknowledgement for what I think of as a noble mission in uniting people through sound could not have been realized without the love, support and dedication of my family, management, band and the many supporters of music throughout this land - THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU"

New Album Transition In Tradition - Out Now On Destin-E World Records

4* "..Laden with memorable melodies, his best album since his 1986 debut" Observer Music Monthly

"5/5 Pine is superb..." The Guardian

"....top of his form..." The Independent

"4* "The Times, MOJO and Uncut

"Pine serves up a creole gumbo of Caribbean, Latin and African flavours with the nuanced power to restore the most jaded jazz palate - 'the Jazz Warrior succeeds in broadening our minds as well as our ears' 5*" BBC Music Magazine

"Bursting with Pine's typically memorable themes and exuberant soloing" Jazzwise

Afropeans Jazz Warriors

Afropeans Jazz Warriors picks up where the original Jazz Warriors left off - this seminal big band, formed in the 80s to celebrate the rich heritage of Afro-Caribbean jazz that contributed massively to the UK jazz scene since the 50s, is re-invented for a new century.

"barnstorming solos, delicate bowed strings, skanking reggae backing tailgate trombones, foot-stamping chains. Hugely entertaining." (The Times)

Band line-up:
Courtney Pine (Saxophone & Clarinet)
Chris Storr, Colin Graham, Mark Crown (Trumpets)
Trevor Edwards (Trombone)
Jason Yarde, Shabaka Hutchings (Reeds)
Omar Puente (Violin)
Ayanna Witter-Johnson (Cello, Voice)
Alex Wilson (Piano)
Samuel Dubois (Steel Pan)
Darren Taylor (Bass)
Robert Fordjour (Percussion)
Donald Gamble (Percussion)

Review

Courtney Pine's Afropean Jazz Warriors - 8th March 2009

The Jazz Warriors gave the Theatre Royal Stratford East an unbelievable and unforgettable 2.5 hours of pure bedlam. At 7:30 PM the lights dimmed as ardent fans sat on the edge of their seats awaiting the bursts of grooves. Equipped with a 14-member orchestra of musicians, Courtney Pine's Afropean Jazz Warriors were the sweetest form of joy.

Electrifyingly exuberant were the sounds that filled the theatre. The conga drums slapped, the conch shells shook, the saxophone growled, the piano echoed and the clarinet whistled. The steel pan ebbed and flowed like the moves of the ocean while melody muscle encapsulated the bodies of everyone in the audience. The harmonious tunes provided a musical nirvana within a jazz universe.

Omar Puente's violin, Jason Yarde's saxophone and Alex Wilson's piano set sail to Havana whilst the chimes of the maracas grabbed the audience and created a shared adventure for all. Robert Fordjour’s smash crash drums and Darren Taylor's pounding bass made everyone's hearts beat and thump. Courtney Pine's heritage docked in high mountain Jamaica with skanking rhythms.

Samuel Dubois' steel pan sailed through the Port of Spain with searing, steaming soca. Trumpet players Trevor Edwards and Chris Storr flew to home sweet Chicago and Mark Crown reminded the listeners of swinging Harlem. Ayanna Whitter Johnson, the only female member declared, "How dare he stop the flow of my musical growth?" Ella and Miles would have been pleased with the ensemble on stage.

Shiny instruments sounding like the balafons of Guinea gave the masses gathered a soul session on the midnight train to Georgia. Salsa, funk, soca, reggae and South African exile music brought together Mother Africa and Sister Europa for a holy parade of stars. Shabaka Hutchins plunged sounds like rain water on the window panes. We are warriors they chanted, we are warriors with their chains in hand. These chains symbolising the departure enslaved Africans took from Goree Island into the New World. The plains and landscapes of music were projected through song and rhythm. Sunday night in London was dynamite and unmistakably life fluid, life fluid music!
Review by Jo-Ann Hamilton

With a 'kick-ass line-up' (All About Jazz) and music that is 'irresistibly vibrant', Afropeans was just too good not to have an extended outing.

2010

COURTNEY PINE: EUROPA + CHRISTIAN SCOTT Royal Festival Hall Monday 15 November, 7.30pm www.southbankcentre.co.uk / 0844 847 9910 Tickets: £25/20/15/10 + bkg

In the world premiere of a major new work, Courtney Pine creates a powerful statement that reflects the vibrancy, innovation and spirit of the continent of his birth, travelling into history to discover how and why it was named after a Phoenician woman. With inspiration from Gregorian chants, the warmth of Mediterranean music and the evocative melodies of the far north, Courtney traces a series of stepping stones that lead to the sounds of today’s European generations. With a brand new recording in view, this is the latest chapter in the fascinating evolution of one of this country’s most original musicians.

New Orleans-born trumpet star Christian Scott has his own bold approach to jazz. Sideman to Jill Scott and X-Clan, Scott brings the attitude, urgency and power of the rap generation to bop and swing traditions. The buzz around Scott has been building since his hit performance at last year’s Festival - where he shone as a featured guest soloist with Marcus Miller – a string of sold-out Ronnie Scott’s gigs and a number of high profile media appearances. Catch Scott for this one London date, playing material from his latest Decca album Yesterday You Said Tomorrow. Part of the London Jazz Festival in association with BBC Radio 3 For more information visit www.londonjazzfestival.org.uk