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Alex Hitchcock is a New York based, London born, leading voice on the saxophone and distinctive improviser on the international stage.
He has been described by The Guardian as a ‘virtuoso’ saxophonist, and his innovative collaborations have confirmed his growing reputation as an instigator and catalyst for captivating musical encounters that continually push the envelope a little further.
According to — BBC Jazz World he has, “Ridiculous technique and harmonic proficiency combined with progressive creativity that sees him leading the charge in terms of new jazz music being created in the UK.”
I got all that from the Ronnie Scott’s website where he'll be playing on the 2nd October.
In the episode we chatted about, Nickel Boys (2024) directed by RaMell Ross
Set primarily in the early 1960s, “Nickel Boys” chronicles Elwood (Ethan Herisse), a wide-eyed Black teenager whose dreams of college and civic progress collide headfirst with the brutal reality of Jim Crow Florida.
Pattern recognition, you kind of don't realise what an important skill that is until you get a bit older, and you maybe don't realise the way you've always been doing it, but haven't quite realised how you've been doing it. And I think you want to, in both, literal and abstract ways, be able to draw those connections across, whether you're a musician and you're doing it across different art forms or you're doing that thing of hearing the music in boxing or whatever.
– Alex Hitchcock
It was a pleasure having Alex featured on the new era of my newly named podcast, On The Rack. Here’s all the tracks you heard in the episode: (unless otherwise indicated they are all either composed and/or performed by Alex)
Cakeism (Alternative) London Live
Be Less, Reflex - JSPHYNX
Gowns of Dark, Stay Now, Joe Lyssarides
Don't Wait too Long, In the Same Moon, Same World, Ant Law, Alex Hitchcock
Ray's Ideas - Kirk Lightsey
Caprice 24, Niccolò Paganini, ”
It was a pleasure having Alex featured on the new era of my newly named podcast, On The Rack. Here’s all the tracks you heard in the episode: (unless otherwise indicated they are all either composed and/or performed by Alex)
Cakeism (Alternative) London Live
Be Less, Reflex - JSPHYNX
Gowns of Dark, Stay Now, Joe Lyssarides
Don't Wait too Long, In the Same Moon, Same World, Ant Law, Alex Hitchcock
Ray's Ideas - Kirk Lightsey
Caprice 24, Niccolò Paganini, Hilary Hahn
Gertrude 'Ma' Rainey - Prove It On Me Blues
TJG 30th Anniversary Series, Tyshawn Sorey
Folk Devils, AuB, Tom Barford, Alex Hitchcock
Upcoming gigs
13th July, Colchester Arts Centre
14th July, Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho
17th July, Ant Law & Alex Hitchcock, 606 Club
18th July, Ant Law & Alex Hitchcock, Jamboree Jazz, Barcelona, Spain
Keep informed of his gigs via his website here
Catch Up with the last episode with Gareth Dennis:
Have a read of last week's newsletter, FREE THE GRANDEM! about the proscriptionof Palestine Action and erosions of our civil liberties and freedom of expression here and On Violence and the Wretched of the Earth. I think it’s the best and most urgent thing I wrote last year.
Consider booking me for a campaigning journalism talk or workshop, details and photos here.
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Have a great weekend!
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