Classical and Jazz - Harry Beckett memorial event at Vortex Jazz Club, Dalston
Published: 26 May 2011
By SEBASTIAN TAYLOR
A CELEBRATION of the life of the great trumpeter and composer Harry Beckett is being held next Monday evening at the Vortex Jazz Club, Dalston.
Although a memorial gig was held after he died aged 87 last year, it was felt that one evening wasn’t enough to celebrate one of the finest jazz musicians to have settled in this country.
Born in Barbados, he became a UK resident in 1954, becoming a key figure in the British free jazz/improvised music scene, playing with all sorts of jazz luminaries.
There’s quite a line-up for Monday’s event. Veteran trumpeter Henry Lowther will be joining Harry Beckett’s long-standing rhythm section made up of Liam Noble, Fred Thelonius Baker and Tony Marsh.
Others playing will be pianist Keith Tippett, guitar legend Ray Russell and Oren Marshall’s Highlife. Don’t be surprised if there’s some dancing.