Sam Barnett

The Verdict, Brighton

Friday 15th December, 2017

    Promoting his debut album London-New York Suite, 16 year old saxophonist Sam Barnett began with the opening track from the album, Morning Shadowplay and intermixed tunes from the album with compositions that he has written since.

    Accompanied throughout by fellow teens, drummer Zoe Pascal and pianist Noah Stoneman, Sam Barnett has already exhibited star quality with a thorough and fluent understanding of bebop soloing and rhythmic awareness. This was demonstrated throughout the evening with fluent soloing over a collection of original and creative compositions.

    Another feature of this young band is the accomplished and impressive soloing of trumpeter Laurence Wilkins. His muted playing on the Barnett original Liberty was exemplary.

    The band were full of energy and enthusiasm and illustrated the creativity and originality of the new generation of jazz musicians.

Charlie Anderson

[Photo: Lisa Wormsley]