Turner Sims Southampton celebrates the 80th birthday of one of Southampton’s best known musicians, Ray d’Inverno, on Sunday 5 March with a special concert featuring the man himself. The acclaimed jazz pianist ran Southampton Jazz Club for many years, alongside his career as a Professor of Mathematics and General Relativity at Southampton University.
In the run-up to this event, you can read The Journey of Jazz, a 10-part blog series written by Ray and dedicated to the memories of Jazz at Turner Sims and throughout the city.
…someone famous referred to Southampton as ‘Bingo City’ – the suggestion that the only arts activity it supported was Bingo. But the welter of jazz and related music which took part in Southampton after this meeting, and the status of Turner Sims in particular, changed that…
Travel back in time to the first evening jazz concert at Turner Sims and learn about the prominence of pianist Bill Evans in shaping Ray’s life and career. Discover the most notable moments of his career and how all these things led to Ray becoming one of the most influential jazz figures in Southampton’s history.
Sunday afternoon’s concert features Ray and his quintet Quintessential Groove, plus special guests his pianist son Mark, and leading UK saxophonist Ed Jones – and plenty of birthday cake!
Read the blog series and book tickets for Ray’s 80th birthday celebration at turnersims.co.uk
Box Office 023 8059 5151 / turnersims.co.uk
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