Bassist & composer Alison Rayner’s award-winning quintet combine richly nuanced compositions, rhythmic interplay and folk-infused melodies; this, along with their love of improvisation, creates a strong sense of narrative and cinematic quality. ARQ play ‘songs without words’ and are lauded for their vibrant, communicative performances.
Awards
★ Alison Rayner Winner Ivor Novello Composer Awards 2019
★ Alison Rayner Runner-up Best Double Bass British Jazz Awards 2018 & 2019
★ ARQ Winners Ensemble of the Year Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2018
★ ARQ Public Vote Best Small Group British Jazz Awards 2018
ARQ are widely celebrated from over five years of extensive UK and European
touring and critical acclaim for their first two albums ‘August’ (2014) and ‘A Magic Life’ (2016), receiving national and international radio play and four and five-star reviews in jazz and national press. ARQ’s third album Short Stories (released Oct 2019 on Blow the Fuse Records) is receiving press acclaim with extensive radio play across the UK, Europe, USA and Australia. The band are currently touring the UK to promote the album with the support of ACE and PRS Foundation.
ARQ:
Alison Rayner – double bass
Buster Birch – drums / percussion
Deirdre Cartwright – guitar
Diane McLoughlin – saxophones
Steve Lodder – piano