POSTED:
15th July 2024
15th Jul 2024
News
Meet Hannah Horton: The host of our Swinging Cat Jazz Club
Saxophonist and composer Hannah Horton has been a regular performer at our Swinging Cat Jazz club for many years, and has rightly earned a reputation as one of the region’s most exciting jazz musicians. Ahead of her next performance on Friday 26 July, we caught up with Hannah to learn more about her journey and her love of jazz music.
How did you first get into jazz?
I was first exposed to improvising in jazz age 15 when I got into Junior Guildhall School of Music in London. Before that I had enjoyed playing pieces in a jazzy style, but hadn’t done any improvisation. Although I learnt about improvisation there, I never really felt supported, comfortable or confident improvising solos, so it wasn’t until I went to university that I began to feel brave enough to solo outside of my bedroom!
What is your earliest memory of playing the saxophone?
My first memory is the day I came back from getting my sax from the shop with my parents and I couldn’t wait to give it a blow. I was aged 10 and had been playing my clarinet for about a year. As soon as we got home I got it out of it’s big brown case, popped it together and that was that… I loved it. I played it for the rest of the day and have played sax nearly every day since.
Who has been your jazz inspiration?
Stan Getz, John Coltrane, Keith Jarrett and Chick Corea have been my inspirations. I listen to them a lot and they each inspire me in different ways.
Tell us a bit about the Hannah Horton Quartet?
Having your own band is very special, we sense what each other will do on stage. My main bassist is Rob Statham who I have played with for over 18 years. We play a lot of my original pieces and I write with these particular players in mind, I get a feeling in my head of how they will play it. We recorded my first album ‘Forget Me Not’ released in 2012, and subsequently ‘Inside Out’ released in 2021 and most recently ‘Live In Soho’ released in April 2024. We travel all around the country playing jazz clubs and festivals.
What do you enjoy about performing at Haverhill Arts Centre?
HAC feels like home to us now! Especially since launching The Swinging Cat Jazz Club and having monthly gigs there. We all know the crew, front of house, and it feels like one big caring family there. It’s a performers dream to arrive and have the sound basically setup on stage and ready to go as Steve and the crew know what we need, how we like it, and what works for front of house sound.
When did you first play at Haverhill Arts Centre?
I think it was back in 2007 or 2008. We played as my quartet with (what a coincidence) John Etheridge!
Your next performance will see you playing alongside John Etheridge. Have you performed with John before, and what’s he like to play alongside?
I have performed with John I think four times before. He is so cool and I love hearing his stories too. Like when he played for Stephen Grapelli and his tours. John has a great energy on stage and is also very generous with the musicians he plays alongside. I know this is going to be a very special gig.
When is Hannah next performing at the Swinging Cat Jazz Club?
Hannah will next be performing on Friday 26 July (8:00pm) alongside renowned guitarist John Etheridge. John is a prodigiously gifted and creative player and rightly enjoys a glowing reputation throughout the jazz world and beyond.
