Courtney Pine: The Melody of British Jazz
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Courtney Pine, born on March 18, 1964, in London, is a British jazz musician who was the principal founder in the 1980s of the black British band the Jazz Warriors. Although known primarily for his saxophone playing, Pine is a multi-instrumentalist, also playing the flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, and keyboards. His parents were Jamaican immigrants, and as a child, Pine wanted to be an astronaut. He began his music career playing reggae, touring in 1981 with Clint Eastwood & General Saint.
Establishing His Presence
In 1986, Pine’s debut album Journey to the Urge Within entered the UK Top 40. One of his early bands was Grand Union Orchestra and he featured on their 1986 album The Song of Many Tongues. Pine is the principal founder of the seminal black British big band the Jazz Warriors, which he established in 1985 through the community organization “The Abibi Jazz Arts” (TAJA).
Moving to New Genres
His recent music integrates modern British music like drum and bass and UK garage with contemporary jazz styles. He runs his own band and integrates many contemporary musicians in his performances. He also presents Jazz Crusade on BBC Radio 2, the seventh series of which was broadcast during spring 2007.
Recognition and Awards
In 1988 he appeared as himself in a jazz quartet in the Doctor Who serial Silver Nemesis. After losing his record contract, in 1989 Pine appeared on stage with the Pet Shop Boys at Wembley Arena. His glittering career — which spans three decades — has seen him awarded with both an OBE and CBE for services to music.
Later Years and Legacy
Thirty years after Pine planted his idea to start the Jazz Warriors, he put together the “Venus Warriors” all-female jazz band for a charity performance to raise awareness of the Mary Seacole Memorial Statue Appeal, which was established to erect a statue of the British – Jamaican Crimean War business woman and nurse outside of London’s St Thomas’ Hospital.
- “Journey to the Urge Within”(1986): This is Pine’s debut album that entered the UK Top 40, marking his breakthrough in the jazz scene.
- “Destiny’s Song + The Image of Pursuance”(1988): This album showcases Pine’s unique style and his ability to blend various musical influences.
- “The Vision’s Tale”(1989): This album reflects Pine’s storytelling abilities through his music.
- “Closer to Home”(1990): This album is a testament to Pine’s roots and his ability to incorporate different genres into his music.
- “Within The Realms of Our Dreams”(1991): This album showcases Pine’s imaginative compositions and his proficiency in various instruments.
- “To the Eyes of Creation”(1992): This revolutionary album fully engages Pine’s myriad interests in African and East and West Indian musics and melds them with jazz improvisation.
- “Modern Day Jazz Stories”(1995): This album is Pine’s first complete jazz outing, recorded with an American band that included Geri Allen, Mark Whitfield, Eddie Henderson, and Charnett Moffett, and featured vocals by Cassandra Wilson and the Angelic Voices of Faith.
- “Underground”(1997): This album features Pine’s take on the popular music genre of the time, blending jazz and underground music in a unique way.
- “Another Story”(1998): This album showcases Pine’s storytelling abilities and his unique style of jazz.
- “Back in the Day”(2000): This album captures the spirit of the early days of jazz, highlighting Pine’s ability to evoke vivid imagery through his music.
