Chris Hodgkins (trumpet)
He was raised in Cardiff, and in 1974 co-founded the Welsh Jazz Festival. He was instrumental, four years later, in establishing the Welsh Jazz Society with David Greensmith. As a jazz trumpeter Chris joined the Icon Jazzmen when he was 18. As a professional trumpeter, Chris toured the UK and Europe with Johnny Bastable’s Chosen Six, Monty Sunshine, Route 66; appearing at the Sacramento Jazz Festival in the States with the Pete Allen Band, and made tours of Germany with the Chris Haskins Band.
Chris retired from Jazz Services in May 2014. With his days of administration behind him, Chris now takes to the road, the radio and the recording studio to focus on playing the music he loves.
Chris and the quartet recorded the album “Boswell’s London Journal”, a suite of 15 tunes co-composed by Chris Hodgkins and Eddie Harvey, Which received the Evening Standard CD of the week in 2009.
Chris presents two weekly programmes, “Jazz Then and Now” for Jazz London Radio and “Jazz Is” for Pure Jazz in New York
The band comprises Chris plus Henry Lowther (trumpet), Diane McLoughlin (sax), Elaine Delmar (vocal) Alison Rainer (double bass) and Max Brittain (guitar). Chris Has recently rejoined the Pete Allen Jazz Band after 45 years.
Max Brittain (guitar)
Max Brittain’s inventive and sensitive guitar playing has accompanied a diverse range of musical greats including the late Humphrey Lyttelton, Ronnie Scott, Cleo Laine, Georgie Fame, Herb Ellis, Charlie Byrd, Barney Kessell, and Marion Montgomery, as well as the National Symphony Orchestra. In 1990 he established the electric guitar faculty at Eton College.
Alison Rayner (bass)
Bass player and composer Alison Rayner has been playing jazz and other contemporary music since the mid-70s. She spent five years in the 80s with critically acclaimed jazz/Latin group The Guest Stars, touring all major international jazz venues and festivals and recording three albums. She currently leads ARQ, her contemporary jazz quintet, described as ‘a beautifully integrated band’ **** by Dave Gelly in the Observer; ARQ have built a substantial and wide-ranging audience over the past three years of touring.
Diane McLoughlin (alto sax)
Band leader, composer, saxophonist. Diane has had extensive experience playing in diverse musical genres. Currently playing with ARQ (Alison Rayner Quintet), she has also led many groups, including Giant Steppes, her 18-piece big band, which performed to critical acclaim throughout Britain.
At present she is writing for and playing in her own jazz ensemble the Casimir Connection
Karamel - 4 Coburg Road, London N22 6UJ. The Karamel vegan kitchen will be serving food until 9.30pm. Email karamel8775@gmail.com to book a table for groups of 3+.
Doors open 7pm, music starts at 8pm.
https://www.musicglue.com/karamel/events/2025-10-02-chris-hodgkins-quartet-karamel
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