Rachel’s Dream

Rachel Hayward (vibes) John Hallam (reeds0 Tom Kincaid (p) Nick Ward (d)

Rachel's Dream

When Benny Goodman entered a New York recording studio in 1935 with Gene Krupa and Teddy Wilson, “chamber jazz” was born. Instead of big band music, this small-group swing showcased the individual talents of the musicians involved. Ten years later, this format would become the norm. In 1936, Goodman added Lionel Hampton, and it is this format that the musicians take as a starting point for this refreshingly different, newly formed quartet. norm

John Hallam is a fluent and supremely sensitive performer; he is versatile on a range of saxophones and clarinet in a variety of styles. His work has covered recordings for radio and television, plus CDs with a number of bands both sides of the Atlantic. Tom Kincaid has developed a rolling piano style evocative of the great pianists from the golden jazz era, playing a diverse repertoire ranging from New Orleans Blues and gospel, to mainstream swing, where he has developed his impeccable Teddy Wilson style. Nick Ward has been in constant demand from Britain’s finest classic, New Orleans and swing style bands, where his sensitive, rhythmic brushwork complements the 1930s style of the quartet. Rachel Hayward is better known as a banjo and swing rhythm guitar player, playing in Harlem, Swing Street and many other bands, but the progression to vibes stems from her passion for Lionel Hampton, and the sound of the Benny Goodman early small bands.