Jim Rattigan is one of the UK’s leading French horn players and widely recognised as a pioneer of the jazz French horn. He has performed with many globally renowned artists including, Michael Brecker, Bill Frisell, Carla Bley, Charlie Haden, Paul McCartney, George Michael and Adele. Rattigan has recorded with all the London symphony orchestras including soundtracks for the James Bond and Lord of the Rings series and he was a member of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra from 1989 to 1995.
After leaving the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Rattigan started playing jazz full time with the likes of Hans Koller, eventually forming his own quartet with Koller, Dave Whitford and Gene Calderazzo. Working with musicians such as Percy Pursglove and Robbie Robson in various ensembles run by Mike Gibbs inspired Rattigan to form his own 12-piece band, named Pavillon after the French word for the bell of the French horn. The band features saxophonists Martin Speake, Andy Panayi and Mick Foster;Robbie Robson, Steve Fishwick and George Hogg on trumpets, trombones Mark Nightingale and Sarah Williams, pianist Hans Koller, double bassist Dave Whitford and Tim Giles on drums.
“I formed Pavillon with these wonderful musicians to perform my music and recorded the album Strong Tea as a birthday present to myself. The compositions are very much interwoven with the personalities of the band and musical styles. As I write I hear them playing certain themes and solo sections. I incorporate as much freedom in the music as is possible, leaving them space to express themselves,” says Rattigan.
Pavillon recently completed a critically acclaimed tour of the UK funded by Arts Council England and has been nominated for a British Jazz Award.