Originally from Perth, Western Australia, Brandon Allen relocated to London in 2000 and has become one of the foremost Saxophonists on the British Jazz Scene. A sensationally exciting player. Since arriving in the UK, he has worked with many high profile artists and groups/ensembles as a saxophonist, in various genres. Whilst well known for his virtuosity, he is an all round musician - leadings his own groups as well as collaborating with other artists. A regular session musician - working in a variety of musical settings, in the studio and remotely. And a composer and arranger of Jazz music, writing for other artists and for his various jazz & crossover groups, as well as composing music for Film, TV and other media platforms. Brandon's distinctive saxophone sound has been featured on film soundtracks including Alfie (2004) and 'The Look of Love' (2013). He is featured on 4 Kyle Eastwood albums and numerous other releases. Brandon has a played with Eric Clapton, Paloma Faith, Kyle Eastwood, Mica Paris, Jools Holland, Gary Barlow, Neil Diamond, Adam Nussbaum, Gary Husband, Ibrahim Maalouf, Antonio Forcione, Stefano Di Battista, Fred Nardin, Tony Lakatos, Charlie Wood, Jason Rebello, Gwylim Simcock, Omar Lyefook, Sarah Jane Morris, Camille Bertault, Jamie Oehlers, Mat Jodrell, Hamish Stuart, Mike Nock, Liane Caroll, Dennis Rollins, The Feeling, The Filthy Six, Gwyneth Herbert, Keith Tippett, Tony Hadley, Roachford, Candi Staton, US3, Carleen Anderson, James Torme, The BLOCKHEADS, Omar Kamal, Tony Christie, John Etheridge, Soweto Kinch, Noel McKoy, Guy Barker, Natalie Williams, The Laurence Cottle Big Band, Claire Martin, The BBC Big Band, Jesse Van Ruller, Stan Tracey, Peter King, Darius Brubeck, Ronnie Cuber, Lew Soloff, Mark Nightingale, Richie Cole, Benjamin Herman, Nigel Hitchcock, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Beverley Knight, Robin McKelle and the Czech National Symphony Orchestra. Brandon is known to PJC, as he was featured in The Big Colors Big Band performance to bring in 2025. We look forward to welcoming him back for his own solo guest slot in 2026

Alan Barnes is a prolific international performer, composer, arranger, bandleader and touring soloist. He is best known for his work on clarinet, alto and baritone sax, where he combines a formidable virtuosity with a musical expression and collaborative spirit that have few peers. His range and brilliance have made him a first call for studio and live work since his precocious arrival on the scene more than thirty years ago. His recorded catalogue is immense. He has made over thirty albums as leader and co-leader alone, and the list of his session and side-man work includes Bjork, Bryan Ferry, Michel LeGrande, Clare Teale, Westlife, Jools Holland and Jamie Cullum. He has toured and played residencies with such diverse and demanding figures as Ruby Braff, Freddie Hubbard, Scott Hamilton, Warren Vache, Ken Peplowski, Harry Allen and Conte Candoli. In British jazz, the young Barnes was recognized and hired by the established greats of the time: Stan Tracy, John Dankworth, Kenny Baker, Bob Wilber, and Humphrey Lyttelton. But he is equally respected for his longstanding and fruitful collaborations with contemporaries such as David Newton, Bruce Adams, and Martin Taylor. Alan Barness unique musicianship, indefatigable touring, and warm rapport with audiences have made him uniquely popular in British jazz. He has received over 25 British Jazz Awards, most recently in 2014 for clarinet, and has twice been made BBC Jazz Musician of the Year. Barnes melodic sense bypasses the usual scale-running clichés that pepper the playing of lesser bop disciples. Peter Marsh, BBC Music Review. His stylistic range is quite phenomenal He has a wonderful capacity for suggesting a given style without actually imitating anyone. Dave Gelly, Masters Of The Jazz Saxophone. I was relishing the prospect of Barness casually consummate musicianship, deadpan humour (he could be a comedian, if jazz ever fails him), and indomitable belief in a respected place for the musics rich history in this eclectic and often forgetful world. John Fordham - The Guardian. Barnes plays music that was radical 50 years ago but he infuses it with so much passion and energy you could believe it was minted on the spot, which is always part of the story with jazz. John L. Walters, The Guardian.