During the middle 1980s Paul and Alan were the two horn front line of TENOR TONIC, a hard working quartet with Paul Rogers and Tony Levin, but their paths have crossed rarely since. This evening should prove a joyous reunion. Both men have worn their Coltrane loyalties on their sleeves for decades and each saxophonist has come close to the source. As a teenager Alan witnessed first hand the 1961 appearance of the John Coltrane Quintet at the legendary Walthamstow concert, even gaining access to the green room after the show and sitting just feet away from the man but being young and feeling a little too awe struck to strike up a conversation. He has also had the great pleasure of working for a week at Ronnie Scott’s as a member of Elvin Jones’ Jazz Machine and appearing in the 80s with Rashied Ali for a radio and TV tribute to Trane in Baden-Baden, Germany. In the early 1970s Paul Dunmall lived for three years in America and through his studies at the Divine Light Mission ashram had the good fortune to meet, play and perform in a big band led by Alice Coltrane.

Paul Dunmall's massive sound on saxophone and melodic sensibility has always demonstrated the influence of John Coltrane on his playing and he makes this debt even more explicit in the long standing duo with drummer Tony Bianco whose own rolling, polyrhythmic excursions and free-time explorations are descended from both Elvin Jones and Rashied Ali. Joining them in the quartet are saxophonist Howard Cottle and Olie Brice on double bass.