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Young musicians tune into jazz with top trombonist Dennis Rollins

Friday 17 March 2017

Talented young musicians from schools around Harrogate and Leeds will take to the stage alongside acclaimed jazz musician Dennis Rollins next Friday.

Trombonist Dennis Rollins is well known on the British and international jazz scene and will bring his unique musical style to The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) for a lively day of music making with an evening performance.

Around fifty musical pupils aged 11-18 have been invited to form an ensemble for the day, comprising saxophones, brass and rhythm section. They will be led by Dennis in creating a programme of music which they will showcase at an evening concert, open to all, alongside numbers performed by Dennis himself.

As well as GSAL, the schools taking part are Harrogate Grammar School, Allerton Grange School, Abbey Grange C of E Academy, Crawshaw Academy and Garforth Academy.

Dennis was brought up in Bentley, Doncaster, and from the age of 14 developed his musical talents with the Doncaster Youth Jazz Association. He is celebrated for his versatile and powerful approach to trombone playing and high-energy jazz-funk repertoire as well as his own take on more traditional tunes.

Multi award-winning, Dennis has earned accolades including Trombonist of the Year at the inaugural Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Awards; British Jazz Award for Best Trombonist and the prestigious cross-Parliamentary Jazz Educator Award. He has performed with some of the world’s top jazz and pop acts, including Quincy Jones, the Jazz Warriors, Courtney Pine, Jamiroquai, Brand New Heavies, Blur and Maceo Parker. He is also a formidable band leader of jazz-funk outfit Badbone & Co and Velocity Trio.

The day is organised by jazz musician and GSAL music teacher Adrian Knowles, who said: “Dennis’ exciting mix of traditional jazz and jazz funk is highly accessible to audiences and players alike. It will be truly inspiring for these young musicians to hone their own talents alongside an internationally renowned musician – home grown in Yorkshire too!”

The concert is at 7.00pm on Friday 24 March in the Theatre Foyer at The Grammar School at Leeds. Tickets cost £7 (£5 concessions) and are available online or on the door.

Photo of Dennis Rollins courtesy of Darren Cowley.

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