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Dennis Rollins

Born in Birmingham, England in 1964 of Jamaican parents, Dennis cut his teeth at the age of 14 studying and performing with The Doncaster Youth Jazz Association. After years of concentrated study Dennis moved to London where his unique approach to the instrument was immediately and appreciatively recognised resulting in numerous offers of work

In the ensuing years Dennis further honed his formidable talent performing with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) and the legendary all-black jazz big band, The Jazz Warriors.

Dennis' reputation as an artist of excellence who is comfortable performing many genres of music has resulted in his working with some of this country's and, indeed, the world's top jazz and pop personalities. Consequently, Dennis has toured the world extensively. Though appreciated for his distinctive approach to the trombone, Dennis' style has often been compared to that of the great Fred Wesley.

In 1995 Dennis launched his own band, Dee Roe, much to the delight of funk, jazz and fusion aficionados. Though Dee Roe performed in venues such as The Jazz Café, Ronnie Scott's London, The Forum and Brixton Academy personal reasons caused Dennis to disband the group in 1997.

The five piece Dennis Rollins' Bad Bone and Co. (launched at the Barbican March, 2000) is the culmination of Dennis' vast experience as a respected bandleader and producer. With Bad Bone & Co. Dennis demonstrates a unique and exciting approach to the under-rated trombone proving that it can be an exciting front-line instrument. His high energy, groove-based funky dance music -with jazz overtones - appeals to audiences of all ages.

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20
Album Review

Dennis Rollins Velocity Trio: The 11th Gate

Read "The 11th Gate" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki


For more than two decades, British trombonist Dennis Rollins has played alongside Maceo Parker, Courtney Pine, The Brand New Heavies and others in and around his home base in the United Kingdom. Rollins' first international release, The 11th Gate came about from a simple conversation Rollins had with Pine, who wondered if it was possible for Rollins to record his Velocity Trio in a way that truly reflected the trombonist's personal influences and style.It's no wonder that Pine ...

138
Album Review

Dennis Rollins Velocity Trio: The 11th Gate

Read "The 11th Gate" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


Some dates, like Cinco de Mayo or the fourth of July, are cause for celebration year-after-year because of historical context within specific cultures, while others--like 11/11/11--are global, party-worthy phenomena that celebrate a numerical oddity that will only occur once. This specific date marked the 47th birthday of British trombonist Dennis Rollins and served as the prime inspiration for The 11th Gate, which is notable for a variety of reasons. For starters, this album marks the beginning of his relationship with ...

167
Album Review

Dennis Rollins' Badbone & Co.: Big Night Out

Read "Big Night Out" reviewed by Chris May


Standing on the verge of getting it on? Shit, trombonist Dennis Rollins' Badbone & Co. are getting it on. The dancefloor-centred Big Night Out is a mess of primo, back-in-the-day, fatback funk--a romping, party hard, on-the-one celebration of Funkadelic, General Caine, Mandrill, Prince Charles, Earth Wind & Fire and all those other US brothers--reignited with love, respect and imagination.

There's enough jazz too, to free your mind as well as your ass, with an accent on Ellington and Lunceford, by ...

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93

Recording

Dennis Rollins' Velocity Trio's "The 11th Gate" Digitally Released in the US on 11.11.11

Dennis Rollins' Velocity Trio's "The 11th Gate" Digitally Released in the US on 11.11.11

Source: GoMedia PR

11.11.11. the date that is attributed by many to have metaphysical and mystical implications, will certainly prove to be an auspicious date for UK-based trombonist Dennis Rollins, whose CD with his Velocity Trio, The 11th Gate, will be released digitally in the US to coincide with its release in the UK and Europe. For 25 years British trombonist Dennis Rollins, lauded as “the most exciting British trombonist for decades" by Jazzwise magazine, has played at the forefront of the UK ...

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Performance / Tour

Dennis Rollins & Empirical Live July Dates

Source: Laura Hamlet

Dennis Rollins performs with The Maceo Parker Band, as they tour the following UK dates: 8 July: BRASS--Durham International Festival Gala Theatre, 1 Millennium Place, Town Centre, Durham DH1 1WAl galadurham.co.uk/theatrel BOX OFFICE: 0191 332 4041 9 July: Exeter Phoenixl Bradninch Place, Gandy Street, Exeter EX4 3LSl exeterphoenix.org.ukl BOX OFFICE: 01392 667 080 10 July: Stockwood Discovery Centre, Lutonl London Road, Luton LU1 4LXl stockwooddiscoverycentre.co.ukl BOX OFFICE: 01582 878100 / 01582 ...

"the most exciting British trombonist for decades…" --Jazzwise

"...a trombone player who combines seamlessly fluid improvising with a sumptuous sound." --The Guardian

"...one of the most entertaining and inviting new funk combos currently burning up the UK scene" --The Jazz Cafe, Camden

"Dennis Rollins plays the sexiest trombone in town." --Paul Bradshaw, Straight No Chaser

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

The 11th Gate

Motéma Music
2012

buy

The 11th Gate

Motéma Music
2011

buy

Big Night Out

Raestar Records
2006

buy

Samba Galactica

From: The 11th Gate
By Dennis Rollins

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