David Horniblow

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CLARINET, SAXOPHONE, BASS SAXOPHONE, BASS CLARINET

David Horniblow is a fine contemporary reedman who specialises on clarinet, tenor and bass saxophones; as well as playing bass clarinet and alto sax less often. He has mastered sounds, styles and techniques from players like Johnny Dodds, Jimmie Noone, Omer Simeon and Barney Bigard and is one of London’s most in demand jazz clarinet and saxophone players.

An active scholar of the music with impressive credentials he has performed and recorded with all of the top British jazz names and acts – from Chris Barber, Acker Bilk and Kenny Ball to Jools Holland and Jamie Cullum – as well as international stars including the 11 time Grammy award winning music legend George Benson. Initially studying classical clarinet at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, David rapidly became involved in Jazz and has specialised in it ever since.

David Horniblow has played regularly with numerous bands in London including the BBC Jazz award winner Keith Nichol’s Blue Devils and the Pasedena Roof Orchestra, as well as playing in West End shows including Jersey Boys and Matilda, television period dramas and national and international radio. He has played at many top concert halls and Opera houses throughout Europe, the Unites States and Australia as well as legendary jazz venues like Ronnie Scotts.

Now focusing his attention on The Dime Notes, The Complete Morton Project, and the Vitality Five, in which David plays bass saxophone, he is committed to immersing himself in the styles of the early jazz clarinet pioneers, including Johnny Dodds, Omer Simeon and Sidney Bechet. He is also keen to dig deeper into the tradition and explore much less well known players of the 1920s and revive their styles. His aim is to meld these influences into his own style, drawing on the energy, fluency and drive of one of the most exciting periods of Jazz.

His work with The Dime Notes has been the most prolific. Since the band’s formation and the release of their debut album on Lejazzetal Records in 2016, the band has toured extensively in the UK and abroad, with appearances at festivals and theatres throughout the country as well as in Canada, Ukraine, Moldova, France, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands. 

They are most probably the most well travelled of all current bands of the genre with an album that has received positive reviews and high praise from the press both nationally and internationally, and has recently been re-released in France in partnership with the iconic Parisien label Fremeaux Associes. Notable journalist Clive Davis of The Times newspaper claims David Horniblow’s clarinet spits fire. He certainly tears it up with the best of them, solidifying his ranking among the top clarinetists of today.

YOUTUBE PLAYLIST

RECORDINGS FEATURING DAVID HORNIBLOW

AUDIO FEATURING DAVID HORNIBLOW

PRESS QUOTES

David Horniblow’s clarinet spits fire!
THE SUNDAY TIMES UK
Horniblow’s clarinet is both passionate and reflective by turns
VINTAGE JAZZ MART UK
A terrific Clarinettist! From one player to another
ACKER BILK UK
Horniblow’s playing is nimble, incisive and assured
JAZZ JOURNAL UK
this man blows a real mean horn with virtuosity, passion, and taste, a formidable and rare combination
JEFF BARNHART
a fine tribute by David Horniblow to the soprano saxophone genius Sidney Bechet
JUST JAZZ UK
a tone rich and full like those of Omer Simeon and Barney Bigard
MONIQUE MUSIQUE UK
nimble, incisive and assured, with hints of Fazola and Noone
JAZZ JOURNAL UK

CALENDAR

Date

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Current Month

May 2025

2025thu29may3:30 pm5:00 pmThe Dime NotesBreda FestivalBreda Festival, Breda Netherlands

2025fri30may2:00 pm4:00 pmThe Dime NotesBreda FestivalBreda Festival, Breda Netherlands

June 2025

2025thu05jun8:00 pm10:00 pmHampstead Jazz Club with The Dime NotesHampstead Jazz ClubHampstead Jazz Club, London UK

2025sun08jun8:00 pm11:00 pmThe Dime NotesDixie Days FestivalEspace Sarah Bernhardt, Sainte-Adresse France

2025thu26jun12:15 pm2:30 pmThe Jamboree with The Dime NotesThe JamboreeJamboree Venue, London UK

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