26/08/2026
Allison Neale's West Coast Quartet are at Watermill Jazz, Reigate Road, Dorking, on Tuesday 1st Sept 2026. Doors open at 8pm, concert starts at 8:30pm.
Get your tickets from www.ticketsource.com/watermilljazz or from the box office 07415 815784 or on the door; tickets from £11 (Students) - £26 (members £21). Easy access from London to Dorking Station; by road on the A25 near the junction with the A24 - extensive free parking on site - Betchworth Park Golf Club, RH4 1NZ.
Seattle-born alto sax player and flautist Allison Neale is renowned for her cool, melodic alto sound reminiscent of the West Coast musicians working in California during the 1950s. As a true specialist and advocate of the style, her strong personal voice and authentic approach has awakened a fresh new interest in this lesser known aspect of the American Jazz idiom in recent years.
During her career, Allison has played alongside Duke Ellington vocalist Adelaide Hall, altoist Bud Shank, UK guitarist Dave Cliff and tenorist Scott Hamilton as well as featuring in the John Dankworth Generations Band. She has released four CDs as a leader and her most recent record on the Ubuntu label pairs her with world renowned New York guitarist Peter Bernstein, who visits Watermill Jazz with his own quartet later in the month.
Tonight Allison celebrates the music of her influences including Paul Desmond, Art Pepper and Bud Shank, showcasing rarely played arrangements from their historic quartets.
Joining Allison on piano is Eriko Ishihara. Hailing originally from Japan, she has established an enviable reputation both in the UK and the Far East for her tasteful and stylish playing, rooted in the tradition of pianists like the great Hank Jones.
'Allison plays the alto with a tone so light and airy that it positively melts at the edges' - Dave Gelly, Observer
Allison Neale – alto sax, Eriko Ishihara – piano, Jeremy Brown – double bass, Matt Fishwick - drums
