The Ward/Dawkins Quintet: Jazz at The Barn

Above photo Matt Ward; headline photo Jack Dawkins.

Matt Ward is the curator of the excellent Jazz at The Barn gig series held monthly at The Barn Theatre, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. Usually he’s in organizer mode but this October it was his turn to take his place on stage. He did so with his friend and colleague from the Hertfordshire Big Band, Jack Dawkins (tenor sax, flute and clarinet) and well known local sidemen, Russell Williams (keys), Laurence Evans (double bass) and Laurence Leedell (drums). The band romped through two set of beloved standards and lesser known works with growing confidence.  The songs included compositions by Coltrane, Ellington, Davis, Mandel and others. I particularly liked the rarely performed Randy Aldcroft number, Breakfast Wine, that was popularized by trumpeter Bobby Shaw. Throughout the performance Matt Ward and Jack Dawkins excelled in the frontline and demonstrated some nice interplay. Overall this was a very enjoyable gig playing to an appreciative full house audience. Classic chamber jazz at its best. I look forward to seeing more of this combo in future.

Review and photos by John Morrow