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 8th March 2009

Courtney Pine's Afropean Jazz Warriors

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

Thursday 11th March 2010, 8:00pm Omar Puente to support Courtney Pine Cuban-born violinist and jazz musician Omar Puente has just been announced as the support act for Courtney Pine at Pacific Road Arts Centre on the 11th of this upcoming March. Puente found recognition on the UK creative jazz circuit after relocating to Bradford and has long maintained a musical relationship with Pine, from producing each others albums to live performances on stage. COURTNEY PINE at PACIFIC ROAD World famous saxophonist fusing hip-hop jazz and groove; one of the most exciting and talented performers around. Credited with transforming the face of contemporary British Jazz, Courtney Pine is revered across the world for his innovative style and love of playing live.

Pacific Road Arts Centre, Pacific Road, Birkenhead, Wirral CH41 1LJ. Tickets: £16 (£14) For more information on this concert, contact the Floral Pavilion Box Office on 0151 666 0000.