Born in Seattle, USA and brought up in the UK, in Northamptonshire, alto saxophonist Allison Neale plays strongly in the melodic West Coast style of the 1950s, reminiscent of Art Pepper and Paul Desmond with whom she is often compared.
The Allison Neale Quartet, which features Dave Cliff on guitar, Simon Thorpe on bass, and Matt Skelton on drums, play at venues all over London and around the UK on a regular basis.
Allison is also involved in other ongoing bands and projects, including the contemporary Brazilian ensemble Caratinga and a quintet with trumpeter Gary Cavanagh.
The debut CD by the Allison Neale Quartet “Melody Express” was released in early 2004 on 33 records.
Allison started playing by ear at an early age, assimilating the stylistic approach of many players, but above all Paul Desmond and Art Pepper, with whom she still has a particular affinity.
She spent her formative years playing alto in the Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra, where she held the flute Chair between 1996 and 1998, after completing a Ba(Hons) in performing arts at De Montfort University, Allison attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, where she attained a postgraduate diploma in jazz and studio music.
Bits and Bobs:
Date/Time: Fri 6 Jun 8pm
Bar & Menu from 6.30pm
Location: Cafe Bar, Quay Arts
Ticket Price: £10/£9
Box Office 01983 822490
