Courtney's Loves

IN TODAY'S Southport Visiter (May 25) we printed an interview with Courtney Pine, who headlines this year's Southport International Jazz Festival.

Courtney had so many interesting things to say, we couldn't possibly fit everything on to the space the printed page allows, so you'll find the whole kit and caboodle right here.

COURTNEY PINE doesn’t just play the saxophone, he knows the minutiae of its very existence.

“Adolphe Sax,� he explained, “invented it as an instrument for the military.
“On the battlefield, they needed something which was robust and could withstand a bit of knocking about. This was around the time of the Napoleonic wars, and once the conflict was over, they weren’t needed anymore.
“That meant they cost next to nothing, and were picked up by the clowns on the vaudeville scene and the guys in the ‘hood - which some people call the ghetto - and the rest is history.�

It is heartening to learn that the 43-year-old master of the world’s sexiest instrument wants to know every nuance of it.
Next Thursday, he will step out on the Floral Hall stage as the opening headliner of the 2007 Southport International Jazz Festival, one of 65 concerts staged in all manner of venues between then and Sunday, June 3.
And in excellent news for the resort, Courtney can’t get enough of his public.

He said: “Festivals are brilliant. It’s always busy and always a bit special.
“There are lots of them around this time of year, I’m just about to go to the Cheltenham Jazz Festival.
“I love them. Loads of people milling around and getting into jazz, even if they have never listened to it before.
“I want jazz music to be for everyone. In my shows I have had six-month old babies in the audience, babies in the womb, and 85 year-old-women.
“It’s not about having an intimate knowledge of Ella Fitzgerald’s career.�

Courtney arrives in Southport with an inaugural Ronnie Scott’s award for Best UK Jazz Saxophonist cooling on his windowsill, so it would be rude not to ask how his journey to worldwide recognition got going.
He recalled: “I started with the recorder when I was eight or nine years old.
“Then I went to secondary school and I was told I should play the clarinet, but I bought my first saxophone when I was 14.
“I just felt there was something about it, the shape, the sound, the way it resonates.
“I can understand why it was used by the military, it’s not like you can take a bassoon out on the battlefield.�

Now an OBE for his services to the genre, Courtney also has his own Radio 2 show and isn’t averse to merging jazz with more modern sounds.
He continued: “I have 11 albums, and I make a point of playing at least one tune in each show that isn’t on any of them.
“It might well include a bit of drum ’n’ bass, Bob Marley, or hip-hop.
“What I will never do is just play in the background while some boy chats up his girl. I’m not that talented.�

Which brings us to the most intriguing section of Courtney’s CV - a 1988 appearance in Doctor Who.
He laughed: “I was the first black Doctor!
“No, actually, I am a massive Doctor Who fan and I was asked to appear in an episode with Sylvester McCoy. He recorded one of my notes and used it to destroy the Cybermen.
“Whatever happens, I am definitely the only black jazz saxophonist ever to have appeared in that show!�

Courtney Pine is at Southport Floral Hall at 7pm on Thursday, May 31.
Tickets are £18.50 from 01704 500036, or call in at the box office.

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