Quintet led by bassist and composer Alison Rayner and featuring Deidre Cartwright (guitar), Diane McLoughlin (saxophones), Steve Lodder (piano) and Buster Birch (drums). Debut album “August”, recorded live at The Vortex Jazz Club in London, released 2014, studio follow up “A Magic Life” released 2016.
"ARQ have come up with another impeccable album featuring warm, colourful, intelligent writing and some exceptional playing. It's a recording that is likely to appeal a broad listening constituency."
ALBUM
"Rayner’s compositions gave each individual member the chance to shine and each one brought something of their own musical personality to the proceedings."
LIVE
"The quintet’s multi-faceted pieces were full of delightful colour and detail but for all their sophistication remained wholly accessible and unfailingly melodic."
LIVE
"This is a particularly well balanced ensemble. The writing by Rayner and the other group members is rich and varied and the arrangements combine brightness and colour with exactitude and precision. "
ALBUM
"The album represents a good portrait of Alison Rayner as both a musician and composer. There's a joie de vivre about "August" that makes for very enjoyable listening. "
ALBUM