The Alex Wilson Quartet visited Beirut in January 2003 for a series of workshops with students of the Lebanese National Conservatory's jazz section. They also performed a concert at Strange Fruit, one of Beirut's jazz clubs.

The project was conceived to support the Lebanese National Conservatory with their plan to open a new jazz section; to support efforts from various jazz clubs and local jazz groups in Beirut in reviving jazz music; and to demonstrate that jazz can appeal to young audiences. It also built links between Lebanese local musicians and UK talent.

The Alex Wilson Quartet conducted three consecutive workshops at the National Conservatory and performed a concert on the last night in a club in Beirut which attracted a particularly young crowd. The workshops were very successful and well attended. Participants included seven students from the Conservatory; three young musicians talent-spotted from a previous local jazz festival; nine jazz and classical music teachers from the Conservatory; and around 15 other musicians auditing the sessions. As the Conservatory had not held workshops in jazz in many years, the demand was high.

The band opened with a solo by Alex based on Colombian folk music. The second set featured Coltrane's tune Impressions performed in an imaginative arrangement. At the end of the concert teachers and students from the Conservatory jammed together.

'All the students are inquisitive and interested. They want to learn which makes it a positive and enriching experience for all of us.' Alex Wilson

More about the Alex Wilson Quartet.