Curated by internationally-acclaimed UK jazz pianist, composer and Berklee College alumnus Trevor Watkis, Band on the Wall proudly welcomes a special musical retrospective of jazz trumpeter Dizzy Reece.
Mr. Alphonso Son “Dizzy” Reece, better known as Dizzy Reece, is an acclaimed jazz trumpeter who hails from Kingston, Jamaica. Mr. Reece has led a prolific career for over 70 years since his arrival in London in 1948, leaving his homeland at the young age of 17 on the HMT Empire Windrush*. He began his ascent into the jazz scene by initially cutting his teeth among the best musicians in London in the 1950’s, which included Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Scott, and Victor Feldman. Reece later relocated to the United States and permanently settled in New York.
His unique approach to his instrument and blistering yet warm tone captured the attention of the iconic Blue Note Records label executives, where he recorded four albums. He went on to share the bandstand with some of the greatest international jazz legends which includes Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, and the legendary Miles Davis. He stood in for Miles in his band occasionally when he was unable to make a performance.
This concert has been curated by Trevor Watkis in honour Dizzy Reece’s accomplishments and artistry and to celebrate West Indians who departed the Caribbean on the Windrush and contributed to the rebuilding of Britain following its destruction during the Second World War.
These accomplishments will be highlighted through a series of concerts, lectures, masterclasses, and in-depth interviews with Mr. Reece in England, Jamaica, and the United States.
This show will feature brand new arrangements of Reece’s music, performed by a dazzling international band line up, with award-winning British trumpeter Byron Wallen (George Benson, Courtney Pine, Hugh Masakela), US veteran saxophonist Ralph Moore (Freddie Hubbard, Horace Silver, Kevin Eubanks), drummer Willie Jones III (Herbie Hancock, Bobby Hutcherson, Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove), bassist Dezron Douglas (Benny Green, Pharaoh Sanders, Louis Hayes) and led by renowned London-based pianist Trevor Watkis, who has played with Kenny Garrett, Gary Bartz, Natalie Cole, Stanley Turrentine, and a host of others.
This is an unreserved seated and limited standing room show.
