Details of a special memorial concert for the trumpeter and writer Ian Carr “A Celebration of his Life And Music” have now been released.

To take place on 23 February 2010 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London just two days before the first anniversary of Ian’s death, the concert will feature a host of musicians Carr worked with over the years.

It will feature Michael Garrick leading the surviving members of the Don Rendell / Ian Carr Quintet (Don with Dave Green and Trevor Tomkins). Also in the concert line-up will be Henry Lowther, Art Themen and special guest Norma Winstone, recreating Michael’s band of 1970.

Mike Gibbs will conduct Ian’s ‘Northumbrian Sketches’ a 30-minute suite for trumpet and string orchestra, with members of Nucleus, John Marshall and special guest Guy Barker on trumpet. Nucleus Revisited with Geoff Castle, Phil Todd, Mark Wood, Rob Statham, Nic France and Chris Bachelor on trumpet will finish the evening with guests Ray Russell and Tim Whitehead.

Other additional guests will be announced. Proceeds from the concert will go to the Alzheimer’s Society. Tickets for the general public go on sale on 15 December. A CD of the Rendell-Carr band live in London recorded at University College Students Union in 1966 will be issued in the spring hopefully in time for the concert.

– Stephen Graham