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Ben Crosland reimagines rock pop

April 15, 2022

Ben Crosland Quintet

Ben Crosland first produced his arrangements of the Ray Davies Songbook in 2016 and has been touring that programme through many Jazz Festivals and Clubs since then. The Quintet will arrive in Nairn fresh from the Langtoun Jazz Festival in Fife.

Bass player, composer and arranger Ben Crosland has been leading bands for over 25 years. He has recorded a series of critically acclaimed albums, released on his independent Jazz Cat label, with the cream of UK jazz musicians including Alan Skidmore, Jim Mullen, Mark Nightingale, Steve Waterman, John Etheridge, Martin Shaw, Steve Lodder and Barnaby Dickinson.

Jazz musicians draw freely on the contents of the mythical Great American Songbook. So what about the Great British Songbook and what would be in it, apart from a few Lennon and McCartney numbers? Ben Crosland has come up with an intriguing answer - the prolific and highly varied output of Ray Davies, for his legendary rock-pop outfit The Kinks.

Strong grooves, a natural swing and strong, evocative melodies characterise Ray Davies' songs which allows them to be beautifully re- interpreted in a more contemporary fashion. From straight-ahead swing through 8th feel grooves and ballads to reggae, Crosland and the band shine a new light on these classic songs.