The wonderful saxophonist Trevor Whiting was our very first guest at the club back in February 2018 and this month sees his return with his long-time Chris Barber associate, Mike Henry on trumpet.
Trevor Whiting is one of the most in demand reed players on the British Jazz scene. He combines masterful, spontaneous improvisation with a rich sound that makes his lyrical playing both exciting and beautiful. Whilst he principally leans towards mainstream jazz he is equally secure playing classic jazz, blues and ballads and all the way to bebop. He is a self-taught musician who switched to the clarinet from the Tenor Horn on hearing the distinctive sound of Sidney Bechet as a teenager.
He has been a member of the BIG Chris Barber band, and was formerly in Clare Teal’s band and features on her early recordings.
He is also a member The Bateman Brothers Band, whose recent album was a previous winner of the British Jazz Album of the Year award, as well as working with Keith Nichols, Martin Litton, and with singers, including Cate Cody, who delight in his sensitive accompanying style. Trevor has often enjoyed working and recording with visiting Americans including Al Casey, Art Hodes, Wild Bill Davison, Scott Hamilton, George Masso, Rande Sandke, Marty Gross, Greg Abate and Duke Heitger. Since moving with his family to Dorset he has become a member of a first rate classic ensemble, the Sunset Cafe Stompers, the leading He also has a busy freelance schedule.
His playing has been compared to that of Ben Webster, Scott Hamilton and Johnny Hodges, to whom one of Trevor’s own haunting compositions is dedicated. He is passionate about Jazz in all its forms, about nature and the environment, and about spending time with his two boys. He lives with them and his wife in Dorset.
Born January 1955 in Bury Lancashire, Mike played Cornet in local brass bands, before gaining recognition for his talents at the age of 9.
At 11 he studied at the Junior Royal College of Music in Manchester. This was followed by a Scholarship to Chetham’s School Of Music in Manchester. At 18 he gained a place at the Guildhall School Of Music in London, finishing in 1997. Further experience in freelance work eventually led to a job with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra in 1978 with whom he played for the next 12 years. During this time he played in all the major Concert halls in England & Europe, with TV, Radio and recordings, along with the occasional classical dates with the London Symphony Orchestra, as well as session work in all styles of music for the likes of: Joe & Co, CBS, CTS, Abbey Road, BBC Maida Vale, Golders Green & Pebble Mill studios. Full time with The Big Chris Barber Band since 2000.
Bands & groups over the years include -
Pasadena Roof Orchestra, Cotton Club Orchestra, Cotton Club Band (Keith Nichols),The Grahamaphones, Red Hot & Blue Orchestra, Echoes Of Ellington Orchestra, The Charleston Chasers, Harry Stutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra, Glen Miller (UK) Orchestra, Bob Hunt Ellington Orchestra, Memphis Belle Swing Orchestra, Midnite Follies Orchestra, Squadronaires Orchestra, Ray Gelato’s Giants,Blue Harlem, Sugar Ray Ford Orchestra, John Altman Orchestra,The Brasshoppers, Keith Nichols Blue Devils, Pete Long’s Benny Goodman Orchestra,Joan Viskant Quintet,Bryan Ferry on his tour of Europe with a Jazz/Roxy Music Show. The Guinness Jazz Band - 21 appearances at the Cork Jazz Festival and lots of tours to Scandinavia, Ireland, Germany & England. Acker Bilk Paramount Jazz Band - Guest Concerts in England & Ireland. Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen - Guest concerts in the UK and Europe. The Big Chris Barber Band - full time with Chris since 2000, Touring Europe and the UK