Described by The Guardian as ‘spirited, eloquent and graceful’ and by The Observer as ‘a beautifully integrated band’, their music is inventive, vibrantly colourful and unfailingly melodic, possessed of a strong sense of narrative and cinematic quality. Their combination of richly nuanced compositions – frequently inspired by personal experiences – with folk- infused grooves, skilful musicianship and a love of improvisation, creates a compelling and coherent whole.

They have built a substantial and wide-ranging audience, receiving national and international radio play and four and five-star reviews in jazz and national press. Their recent 40-date ‘A Magic Life’ UK tour, supported by Arts Council of England, concluded with a sell-out night at the Soho Pizza Express Jazz Club. ARQ’s 2018 touring includes summer festivals and Autumn dates in Europe. They are currently previewing new music to be featured on their third album, due for release 2019.

Alison has just been nominated in Best Double Bass category of the British Jazz Awards 2018.

ARQ:
Diane McLoughlin saxophones | Buster Birch drums & perc | Alison Rayner double bass | Steve Lodder piano | Deirdre Cartwright guitar

‘A gorgeous album synthesising mood, melody and the interplay between musicians totally at home with each other.’ **** Jazzwise

‘If the first rule of life is to do what makes you happy... this album tumbles and flows with such a spirit, performed by a quintet whose musicality and heart enables it; a celebration of life itself‘ LondonJazzNews

Biographies:
Alison Rayner (double bass) has played with jazz legends such as US guitarist Tal Farlow, New York jazz poet Jayne Cortez, drummer Denardo Coleman and critically acclaimed jazz-Latin group ‘the Guest Stars’ in a career of over 40 years. She started ARQ in 2012 to focus on her compositions and develop a group sound.
‘A big, beautiful bass sound that comes from the heart. Highly intelligible music, characterized by individuality, spirit and a sense of freedom.’
Val Wilmer, author, As Serious as Your Life: The Story of the New Jazz

Steve Lodder (piano) works with international artists such as Naná Vasconcelos, George Russell’s “Living Time” orchestra, Sarah Jane Morris, John Harle, Carla Bley, Andy Sheppard and Paul McCartney. Originally a Cambridge organ scholar, he has written books on Stevie Wonder, the Hammond organ and ‘The Keyboard Bible’.
‘Lodder is both an improviser of originality and a musical thinker of erudition and depth’ The Guardian

Deirdre Cartwright (guitar) has recorded five albums with her own group and performed in festivals from Mexico to Warsaw; played with Tal Farlow, Jamaican composer Marjorie Whylie. She presented BBC TV’s ground-breaking series 'Rockschool', has written seven books on guitar and currently presents on Jazz London Radio.
‘If there is a more complete guitarist in contemporary music than Deirdre Cartwright - I'd like to know who it is’ The Observer

Diane McLoughlin (saxophone) holds a post graduate degree in jazz composition from Guildhall School of Music and an MMus in film composition from the London College of Music. Her 17-piece jazz orchestra ‘Giant Steppes’ has performed throughout Britain, including a live broadcast on BBC Radio 3. She leads chamber jazz group ‘The Casimir Connection’.
'Attractively punchy and highly emotive, McLoughlin's soaring alto solo vibrates with echoes of the late Cannonball Adderley’ The Guardian

Buster Birch (drums) holds a post-graduate diploma in jazz from the Guildhall School of Music, studied at the Drummers Collective in New York City and privately with Joe Morello. He has performed at international festivals in over 30 countries and appeared on 30 albums. He backs the UKs finest jazz musicians, records with critically acclaimed world music groups and freelances with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.