“Joy is the message” Dennis Rollins MBE
The fabulously funky Loosen Up is an eleven piece acoustic street band, produced by Derby Jazz during the lockdown. Created to both raise the spirits of people in Derby and to create paid work for some of the East Midlands best jazz musicians.
Dennis Rollins was commissioned to write new music and direct the band and briefed to “bring joy to the people of Derby”. Well known on the UK and international jazz scenes for his versatility and muscular approach to the trombone. Dennis has worked with Courtney Pine, Baba Maal, Jamiroquai, US3, Brand New Heavies, Blur and the legendary Maceo Parker Band. The ten other members of the band: two trumpets, two trombones, three saxophones a sousaphone and two drummers have between them toured in; The Specials, The Beautiful South, circus bands, and directed the Matthew Herbert Big Band in the worlds leading concert halls.
For this show we've added Matt Ratcliffe's keyboards. Matt is a master of that Hammond Organ sound which will allow us to feature soloists from LOOSEN UP in quartets and trios.
In the words of Dave "Stickman" Higgins, one of the band's two drummers "this music is VERY NOURISHING"
LET THE SLIGHTLY BETTER TIMES ROLL
This show will feature two sets of 40 minutes each. Band on 7.30
Fraser Thompson Tenor Saxophone
Steve Nutter Bass
Marcus Joseph Alto Saxophone
Gemma Fuller Trumoet
Peter Wraight Trumpet
Spencer Hague Trombone
Andy Wood Drums
Dave Stickman Higgins Drums
John Hawkins Baritone Sax
Magnus Hawker-French Trombone
Matt Ratcliffe Keyboards
Dennis Rollins MBE Trombone + MD
We don't have any blog posts at the moment.
Please enter your details below to subscribe to our email list.
