Soirée: Ben Crosland Plays the Ray Davies Songbook

Soirée: Ben Crosland Plays the Ray Davies Songbook

Thursday February 8 at 8:00pm (Doors & Bar 6:00pm)
Ben Crosland plays the Ray Davies Songbook
Ben Crosland bass Dave O’Higgins saxes John Etheridge guitar Steve Lodder keys
Sebastiaan De Krom drums
In 2016 The Ben Crosland Quintet released the critically acclaimed album The Ray Davies Songbook, a tribute to the Kinks iconic singer/composer Ray Davies. He began his musical education at the age of thirteen playing along to the Kinks’ singles on the Dansette in his bedroom. Fifty years on, he has discovered new subtleties and strengths in Ray Davies’ compositions and has assembled a quintet of international standing to record and perform his imaginative arrangements.

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. The album was nominated by respected jazz writer Brian Morton as one of his albums of the year in the Jazz Journal Critics’ Poll 2016.
“…a lot of affection, a lot of respect for those unforgettable melodies and a whole lotta damn fine playing…these well respected men have done Mr. Davies proud” Jazzwise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zrMUjHAJQ4 ‘Waterloo Sunset’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26wefxfov10 ‘All Day and All of the Night’