Dennis Rollins with Cambridge University Jazz Orchestra

Eminent trombonist Dennis Rollins was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list 2018 - and rightly so. This is a man who is passionate about the importance of education. Evidence of that commitment was clear at the West Road Hall, part of the Cambridge University Music Department, as part of the Cambridge Jazz Festival.

Alongside visual artist in residence Gina Southgate, Dennis has been on hand for whole festival as ambassador for the very best in a British jazz.

If you’re unfamiliar with Dennis’s name, you almost certainly are familiar with his playing. He’s the trombonist of choice for many local and visiting musicians and he’s been heard with Jamiroqui, Brand New Heavues, Courtney Pine and Monty Alexander.

I was delighted to be able to grab a chat with Dennis during the interval of this show at West Road, which will appear on Harmonious World in the coming weeks,

CUJO is an impressive collection of jazz musicians studying at Cambridge and they were well-rehearsed, performing a selection of Dennis Rollins compositions.

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