Jamie Brownfield

The Brownfield/Byrne Quintet (Kendal Jazz Club 2012)
From the moment that I heard Liam Byrne warming up his tenor with a beautiful version of 'Nuages' I knew we were in for a musical treat from the Brownfield-Byrne Quintet. And so it proved, with these five young guys springing surprise after pleasant surprise with both their choice and treatment of material. Although I knew from their reputation and from YouTube sampling that they had an unusual respect for their jazz ancestors, I most certainly didn't expect their first offering to be 'Way Down Yonder in New Orleans', nor their third one to be 'Singing the Blues' - (Bix, not Steele) In fact, that was one of the highlights of the first half, starting with a delightfully harmonised version of the Bix/Trumbauer intro, and featuring contrasting solos from Liam, who played very much in period, and Jamie Brownfield, who soloed in the bop idiom while suggesting that Bix might have done something similar had he been spared. Such contrasts were the cloth from which the night was tailored, because the following number was 'Dig', written by bop altoist Jackie MacLean, but which turned out to be a variant of 'Sweet Georgia Brown' with a dash of 'I Didn't Know What Time It Was' thrown in. Then it was back to well-loved standards with ' I Can't Give You Anything but Love' featuring an outstanding duet between bassist Nick Blacka and a tightly muted Jamie. The first half finished with two more contrasting tunes: 'Dianily', based on 'Indiana' with intro and outro in true Parker/Gillespie unison bop mode, and then 'Better Go', a relaxed mid-period mid-tempo blues written by Harry Edison which gave the whole band an opportunity to stretch out. Was it me, or did Liam Byrne sound uncannily like Scott Hamilton on this one? The second half opened with two tributes to the John Kirby Band - an arrangement of 'Royal Garden Blues' which managed to make the old pot-boiler sound interesting, and 'Bounce of the Sugar Plum Fairy'. Then along came 'West End Blues', where the front line pinned our ears back by playing a harmonised version of the classic Armstrong intro, followed by 'I'm Crazy Bout My Baby'. This is a tune which, as they told us, they perform with their more traditional Hot Six, but not with this line-up, and I felt a degree of sympathy for their excellent and mellow-sounding guitarist, Andy Hulme, who I suspect was unfamiliar with the number. However, my sympathy changed to admiration when, by the time it came to his solo he produced one of the best efforts of the evening, taking the tune and shaking it like rag doll. The next number turned out to be a Gerry Mulligan arrangement of 'Tea for Two', followed by a Webster/Edison tune based on 'In a Mellotone'. Then the familiar 'Fly Me to the Moon', regarding which I must compliment the band on not going into Latin mode, always an obvious rhythm for this tune. In fact, further compliments for not going Latin at any point in the evening, an evening which was closed in fine style by a Liam Byrne original 'Ivy Divy' (Got Rhythm). I seem to have gone on a bit about this band, but that's because they were a breath of fresh air, and the audience seemed to agree, as I was hearing comments like 'original, 'exciting' and 'crisp'. Roy Cansdale and I both thought that, apart from their many references to jazz history, they provided an unusual and totally successful blend of West Coast (California, not Workington) sounds from the front line allied to a tougher, swingier East Coast rhythm section sparked by superb drumming from Marek Dorcik. - Bruce Carnaffin - kendaljazzclub.co.uk
North Wales Jazz Society
The Brownfield-Byrne Quintet (the BBQ) - plays straight- ahead jazz with a fresh and youthful enthusiasm for the 'Blue Note' era, hardbop styles. Performing standards and bebop favourites from the 40's and 50's as well as some lesser known contemporary material. You will be hearing a lot from this group in the future, their playing is far more mature than their faces. Jamie, just 19, is already a well recognised trumpet player with a style reminiscent of Clifford Brown, and Liam has learnt a lot from Sonny Rollins. Andy Hulme (guitar) Nick Blacka (double bass) and Marek Dorcik (drums) complete the line-up.
CD Review
“An excellent CD on which the performances of all three lead players,whose average age is only 24, display a maturity which is little short of amazing. Highly recommended!
“Maureen Hopkins/Trefor Owen, Directors, North Wales Jazz Society.
”The crowd loved you! I'm very impressed by your talent” - Matt & Phred's Jazz Club - 2010 
”Tipped to be one of the next big things, 18 year old virtuoso trumpeter Jamie Brownfield and 25 year old Liam Byrne on tenor sax bring their quintet to the Metro. Just back from a superb showcase at the prestigious Wigan jazz Festival, an excellent chance to see some of the future of the north west jazz scene” - Metro Jazz, Liverpool - 2010
Brownfield Byrne Hot 6 - The Harp, Albrighton - 2012​ ​
”The reaction of the audience when the Brownfield/Byrne Hot Six made their first appearance at the Harp back in January meant they just had to be booked again......and tonight's reaction was even more of the same. The line-up for this superb band was Jamie Brownfield on trumpet, Liam Byrne on tenor sax (and briefly on clarinet), Tom Kincaid on piano, Andy Hulme on guitar, Jim Swinnerton on bass and Jack Cotterill on drums. Six extremely talented young musicians gave us their interpretation of numbers such as “Way Down Yonder in New Orleans”, “That's A'Plenty”, “Nuages”, Lester Young's ”Tickle Toe” and even “Oh, But on the third day (Happy Feet Blues)” a Winton Marsalis composition. The brilliant piano playing by Tom, the superb trumpet by Jamie (who first played in the Harp when he was 13), the sublime tenor by Liam, delightful guitar by Andy, the driving bass by Jim and the top class drums by Jack all combined to give a different but totally enjoyable session...a session which drew well deserved applause and complimentary comments from the audience.” - John Howell - jazzclub90.co.uk
Jamie Brownfield
​to single anyone out is, I know, invidious, but I must mention Jamie Brownfield on trumpet. In amongst the (relative) veterans here, he plays with a tone, swing, poise and assurance that belie his (relatively) tender years: if this is how he sounds while still a teenager, then watch out for the things to come! Just Jazz CD Review (Reflections of Fats)
”Talk about 'Beauty and the Beast!!' Jamie is just about the best young trumpeter I've heard in Britain - he knows the repertoire, the vocabulary; everything. And he has wonderous chops. I loved playing alongside him and hope maybe before long we can do it all again!” - Digby Fairweather 
”Brownfield is already a mature and fluent soloist with a pure tone on the trumpet” - JazzMann - 2012 
”He is probably Britain's most talented and exciting young new star” - Bude Jazz Festival - 2011
 ”Hey Jamie, excellent playing! Beautiful sound, control and phrasing mate. Great to hear!” Myspace Comment from trumpeter Neil Yates - 2010 
”He has a very rare talent” - Ian Royle - trumpeter 2009 
”Thanks for that breath of fresh air at the Ted's concert at Grappenhall last night! Now I know that the next generation of jazz is alive and kicking!” John Bratby 2009