JazzHastings Presents Alan Barnes Quartet

Alan Barnes is playing Barnaby's Lounge on Tuesday 3 November, presented by JazzHastings. He'll be leading his own quartet for the night, and the whole thing is billed as a close-up performance — there are only 50 seated tickets available in advance, so it's a small room with the band right in front of you.

If you're not familiar with him, Barnes is one of the most well-known figures in British jazz. He's a multi-award-winning saxophonist who plays both alto and baritone, and his style sits firmly in the bebop and hard-swinging traditions. He's been at it for four decades, recording over 100 albums and picking up more than 25 British Jazz Awards along the way. He's a regular at almost every major UK jazz festival, and he's known for a charismatic stage presence and a sharp musical humour that carries through the set.

Over those forty years, he's worked with some of the biggest names in the scene — Kenny Baker, Stan Tracey, Scott Hamilton, Bruce Adams, Dave Newton, Clark Tracey and the BBC Big Band. That's a lot of ground covered, from the small-group swing he's best known for to the larger arrangements of a big band. The night is described as a close-up performance from a true national treasure, and with only 50 seats, it's a chance to see him in a much smaller setting than the festivals he usually plays.

It runs from 7:30pm to 9:30pm, with doors opening at 6:00pm, so you've got plenty of time to get settled before the music starts. Tickets are £16 — that's £15 plus a £1 booking fee — and the venue is Barnaby's Lounge, 46 Robertson Street, Hastings, East Sussex TN34 1NJ.