East Grinstead Jazz Club is delighted to welcome for November 5th the multi award winner guitarist Jim Mullen
A multi-award winner, including a special Honorary Parliamentary Jazz Award in 2017, Jim Mullen is widely regarded as one of the finest jazz guitarists in Europe. Originally from Glasgow he made his name playing with a number of seminal bands through the 70’s and 80’s including Brian Auger’s “Oblivion Express”, The Average White Band and his own highly acclaimed jazz/funk band “Morrissey-Mullen”. A prized sideman as well as leader Jim also includes work with the likes of Mose Allison, Jimmy Witherspoon and Georgie Fame on a stellar cv.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland on November 26, 1945, Jim Mullen began his musical life aged 8 playing “Tea-chest bass” in the neighbourhood skiffle group. He got his 1st guitar the same year, and when an older friend introduced him to jazz, he was hooked.
After leaving school he trained as a journalist while playing on the local music scene. He formed a group with Malcolm Duncan and Roger Ball (later of the Average White Band) and they worked throughout Scotland playing Coltrane tunes and originals. It was in this group that he started attracting attention and in 1969 he moved to London, going on to work in the groups of Pete Brown, Brian Auger, Vinegar Joe and Kokomo.
In 1975 he met sax player Dick Morrissey and began a 15 year association which produced 7 albums and became one of Britain’s top club bands. After the demise of Morrissey Mullen he worked with jazz vocalist Claire Martin (3 albums) and formed a series of quartets (3 albums). As a sideman he is in demand by visiting U.S. stars like Gene Harris, Mose Allison, Jimmy Smith, Weldon Irvine, Percy Sledge, Teddy Edwards, Plas Johnson, Jimmy Witherspoon, and Terry Callier.
Jim Mullen is winner of “Best Guitar” in the British Telecom Jazz Awards (1994 and 1996), “Best Guitar” in the Post Office Jazz Awards 2000 and winner of “Best Guitar” in the Hamlet Cigar British Jazz Awards 2002.
Jim toured and recorded in various UK quartet formats, notably his Reunion quartet with Gareth Williams, Gary Husband and Mick Hutton, “String Theory”. In 2019 Jim recorded his “Volunteers” album featuring many of his own tunes and a great 9-piece band line up, featuring the cream of British jazz musicians.
One of the great Jazz guitarists working today” Jazzwise; “World Class” Guardian; “
“With his unique mellow guitar sound and his ability to spin a seemingly effortless stream of melody, he never fails to keep your ears fully occupied.” Dave Gelly
“Jim Mullen is one of the great jazz guitarists working today” Jazzwise Magazine
“Jim is in total command of his instrument, passionate and lyrical on ballads, and endlessly inventive when improvising at all tempos.” Dick Armstrong
With The House Band Adrian York keys Paul Whitten Bass Vince Dunn Drums
