The Lowest Common Denominator

Alan Barnes and Gilad Atzmon, two of Britain's most celebrated virtuoso reed players, join forces to promise the ultimate jazz night in British history. On the face of it this is a combination as likely as "Chalk and Cheese" or "Night and Day", as unlikely a mixture as "Oil and Water". But despite their different backgrounds and approaches, the two men share a passion for performance and a firm belief that a jazz audience is there not to be educated but to be entertained.They also share a healthy sense of competition. Says Barnes: "I love our gladiatorial, or even Giladiatorial exchanges; the music is lit by shafts of wit- as the Reverend Spooner would have said". Atzmon concurs: "I like few things better than playing a good set with Alan, and then shaking him warmly by the throat."

Personnel: Alan Barnes (alto/baritone saxes & clarinet), Gilad Atzmon (alto/soprano saxes & bass clarinet), Frank Harrison (piano), Chris Higginbottom (drums), Yaron Stavi (double bass)