#listeneveryday 30 Nov 2020
Courtney Pine is a multi-instrumentalist best known as one of British jazz's key exponents of fusion, where jazz styles and techniques are combined with influences from other musical genres. His huge catalogue of highly successful albums and live performances have drawn on music from all manner of styles ranging from the music of his Caribbean heritage to hip hop and pop.
This live performance from Jools Holland's show in 2012 is of a track from Pine's House of Legends album. Pine plays his trademark instrument, soprano saxophone, and is backed by a reasonably standard rock line up, plus a steel pan player.
In Liamuiga (Cook Up) Pine celebrates the calypso music of Trinidad and Tobago, fusing it with his trademark fast-paced bebop jazz style. He champions the UK's Afro-Caribbean jazz talent with more than a passing nod to one of his jazz heroes, Sonny Rollins.
Courtney Pine continues to collaborate and make great albums. He was awarded an OBE in 2000, the year that also saw one of his greatest albums, the jazz/hip hop/drum & bass/blues/soul fusion blockbuster Back In The Day. If you don't have this album, you're missing out!
More to listen to
Lady Day and (John Coltrane) from Back In The Day, featuring the wonderful vocals of the late Lyndon David Hall.
St Thomas by Sonny Rollins, one of the best-loved calypso-jazz fusion numbers.
#listeneveryday will return in early 2021. Comment below or tweet @SimonRushby with your suggestions for future music.