Harmonica centre stage for 2014’s final jazz night

Jazz harmonica? The ghost of Larry Adler casts a long shadow, but the little box of tricks doesn’t have to be as twee as the twinkly legend of chat show mouth organ slots made out.

To prove the point, check out the last jazz night of the year at Hitchin’s Market Theatre next week.

The Wednesday night session features both acclaimed jazz pianist Marco Marconi and award-winning jazz harmonica and keyboard player Adam Glasser.

Adam grew up in South Africa, far away from the strains of Larry on the soundtrack of 1950s hit comedy Genevieve which was the last time the mouth organ enjoyed any time in the spotlight outside folk clubs and blues bars.

He’s now based in London, and in his back catalogue he’s played with artists as varied as Martha Reeves and Hugh Masekela.

To prove his cutting edge credentials, in 2010 he won the SAMA Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album.

He’s sharing the bill with Marco, who regularly performs as a soloist in the UK and Italy at concerts, events and festivals.

He’s also a prolific composer, noted for his 2010 solo album Mosaico, recorded at the prestigious Fazioli Concert Hall in northern Italy, and known by insiders as an integral part of a high-regarded trio which also includes highly-respected Andrea di Biase on double bass and Enzo Zirilli on drums.

The night will be hosted by Tony Phillips with jazz funksters Jazzhouse on house band duties.

Doors open at 7.30pm on Wednesday, November 19.

Tickets are £12, call 01462 433553 or visit www.markettheatre.co.uk for yours.