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Tom Barford
Tom joined the Junior Jazz Course at the Royal Academy of Music aged 16, before going on to gain a scholarship place on the Undergraduate Jazz Programme at the Academy in 2013 and earning a First Class Hons degree in 2017. During his time at the Academy, Tom has slowly become recognised as one of the most exciting young players emerging on the scene. Tom has recently released his Kenny Wheeler Prize debut album BLOOMER on Edition Records and is looking forward to touring the album throughout the UK- https://tombarford.bandcamp.com/. Tom also enjoys co-leading a quartet with James Maddren, Alex Hitchcock and Ferg Ireland. Previous performances have included Ronnie Scott’s, The Royal Albert Hall, (BBC Proms), Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Brecon Jazz Festival, The Vortex, The 606 Club, and the Pizza Express Jazz Club among others. Session work Tom has been involved in includes playing playing saxophone on console game soundtracks for "LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2" and "LEGO DC Villians" for acclaimed composer Ian Livingstone. Tom has also appeared with Tom Fletcher (Live Blue Peter appearance).
Aside from leading his own groups, Tom also takes pride in fulfilling a sideman role in such groups as The Barry Green Sextet, The Olli Martin Quintet and The Alberto Palau Quintet.
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AuB: AuB
by Chris May
Twin-tenor frontlines are almost as old as jazz itself. Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane's meeting on the title track of Rollins' Tenor Madness (Prestige, 1956) may be the starting point for some listeners, but AAJers do not need reminding that the tradition was popular in live performances as far back the 1920s. Later, with the arrival of LPs, multi-chorus chases became possible on record--a case of technology catching up with artistic practice rather than, as has been the norm in ...
read moreTom Barford, Hugh Masakela and Count Basie
by Bob Osborne
The debut album from British saxophonist, composer and 2017 winner of the Kenny Wheeler Jazz Prize, Tom Barford, is the featured release on this show. Also featured is a great collection of early Hugh Masakela recordings, and some classic Count Basie cuts. In between jazz rock from Gong and a selection of brand new releases. Playlist Tom Barford Bloomer" from Bloomer (Edition Records) 00:00 Hugh Masakela A Felicidade" from '66--'76 (Wrasse Records) 07:44 Bobo Stenson Trio Three Shades ...
read moreTom Barford: Bloomer
by Roger Farbey
The Kenny Wheeler Jazz Prize, founded in 2011, is awarded each year to a young artist who demonstrates excellence in both performance and composition, selected from all graduating jazz musicians at the Royal Academy of Music. The prestigious prize includes a release of the artist's proposed recording on Edition Records. Thus it is that the 2017 winner of this highly sought-after prize, Tom Barford, who graduated from the RAM with first class honours, was able to record this, his debut ...
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