Rhythm Women

Charlie Pyne

“her playing and singing is instantly engaging and full of personality”
– Barry Witherden, Jazz Journal 2024

Since graduating from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2009, Charlie Pyne has built a thriving career on her solid groove, classic playing style and infectious cheerfulness. Her skill as an exemplary bassist has led to collaborations with a wide range of leading figures in jazz such as Yazz Ahmed, Noel Langley, Zoe Rahman, Brigitte Beraha, Shirley Smart, Karen Street, Nikki Isles, Sophie Alloway, Tori Freestone, Ilario Ferrari, Alcyona Mick and Martin France to name just a few.

Her new album Nature Is A Mother is the first recorded release since her 2018 debut ‘Dancing Shadows’ and charts a progression fuelled by both the inspirational work with those aforementioned and Charlie’s own development as an artist – the result is her very best work to date. On Nature Is A Mother, Pyne has assembled a dynamic ensemble of Luke Pinkstone on tenor sax, Liam Dunachie on piano and Katie Patterson on drums: trusted players and the same group who lend their expertise to Charlie’s debut album. When performing together and on first listen to the new album, the collective understanding between each artist is deeply apparent, allowing space for all to shine while gelling seamlessly as a unit.

In 2015 she played wth Yazz Ahmed for a specially commissioned piece for Tomorrow’s Warriors with the support of PRS Women Make Music. Polyhymnia was premiered at the Purcell Room by a special all female line-up of the Nu Civilisation Orchestra at the “WOW! Festival”, featuring a suite inspired by courageous and influential female role models. In 2016, Polyhymnia was recorded at the Hat Factory in Luton and was released at the end of 2019 to critical acclaim. Charlie has recently played with Nu Civilisation again at the Royal Festival Hall where the orchestra accompanied Corrinne Bailey Ray, Laura Mvula and China Moses performing the music of Nina Simone.

Having performed on iconic stages around the UK at places such as Royal Festival Hall, Ronnie Scott’s, the Purcell Room, Pizza Express Jazz Club, and Jazz In The Round, Charlie Pyne is undoubtedly an experienced touring professional. Their album launch shows are likely to become seminal moments on this year’s jazz calendar and a chance to experience the hypnotic impact of Nature Is A Mother in a live setting. A unique gratifying work, Charlie Pyne’s endeavours are set to become a musical highlight of 2024.

Discography

Women’s Words, Sisters’ Stories – Ineza with Alex Webb & the Copasetics (Copasetic Foundation)

Above The Clouds – Ilario Ferrari (Elsden Music)

Nature Is A Mother – Charlie Pyne Quartet (distributed by 33 Records) release date: 5th April 2024

Dancing Shadows – Charlie Pyne Quartet (self-release)

Childhood Memories – Ilario Ferrari Trio (self-release)

Polyhymnia – Yazz Ahmed (Ropeadope Records)

Donna’s Secret – Interchange (Fuzzy Moon Records)

Something’s Coming – Katie Birtill (self-release)

Katie Patterson

“…the excellent Katie Patterson” 
– John Fordham, The Guardian Feb 2020

Katie Patterson is a freelance drummer and educator based in London, England, from rural Nova Scotia, Canada. Katie has made a name for herself for her reliability, flexibility in her work and commitment to music with a positive attitude. She has performed at notable venues such as Wembley SSE Arena, Ronnie Scott’s, Queen Elizabeth Hall, The Roundhouse (London), Love Supreme Festival, The Arches (Glasgow), and further afield at National Arts Centre (Canada), DeLaMar Theater (Amsterdam), Molde (Norway) Jazz Festival and Tuscia in Jazz Festival (Italy) where she received ‘Best New Talent’ award. Katie currently works with many bands including Rafe’s Dilemma, Charlie Pyne Quartet, Ilario Ferrari Trio, L’Esprit du Jazz and is MD for Soul Street Productions ‘The History of Rock’ touring theatre show. Katie has a BA(hons)Jazz from Leeds Conservatoire (formerly Leeds College of Music), studying drums under Dave Walsh.

‘…and Katie Patterson’s drumming and deeply positive energy are priceless assets to any band.’
–Sebastian Scotney, London Jazz News Feb 2024

‘Katie Patterson was dynamism itself on drums.’ 
–Brian Payne – Jazz Journal for Scarborough Jazz Festival 2021

Before moving to the UK in 2008, Katie toured throughout Canada and USA, namely with the DRUM! show. After graduating from Leeds Conservatoire in 2011, Katie continued living in Leeds until 2016. During that time she was the first female drummer hired for Holland America Cruises, travelling to Alaska, Mexico and Hawaiian Islands. On top of gigging with many bands and artists locally and across the UK, she toured with various artists in Germany, Norway, Belgium and Holland, played on many recording sessions and developed her own successful private teaching practice. She also worked as an educator delivering music workshops across Yorkshire working for Doncaster Community Arts, Live Music Now and other charities. 

Since moving to London in 2016, Katie’s career has steadily progressed and she has gone on to work in London’s West End depping for SIX the musical, toured in France and Italy, recorded at some of the most iconic studios in the country, became a Bosphorus Cymbals and Evans drum heads artist, continued her educational work and most importantly, continued her own development of her musicianship. Katie enjoys singing and playing, runs her very quirky Sci-Fi Cantina 4tet and loves to contribute arrangements to the bands she works with.