Annie Whitehead Rude 2.0

Event information

Annie Whitehead (trombone & fx)
Chris Dowding (trumpet/flugel horn & fx)
Jennifer Maidman (bass & guitar)
Liam Genockey (drums)

Rude was originally formed in 1992 by Annie Whitehead, Jennifer Maidman and Liam Genockey with the late Harry Beckett on trumpet and flugel. The band only released one album ‘This is Rude’ on the Voiceprint label, but in live performance their music developed over the years into an eclectic fusion of melody, free improvisation and driving funk, jazz and reggae rhythms. Now Annie, Jennifer and Liam are back with Rude 2.0, built on the same musical ethos and joined by Chris Dowding, a trumpet and flugel horn player based in East London.

Annie is well known as a much-in-demand trombonist, band leader and composer and has released several albums in her own name including ‘The Gathering’, ‘Home’, ‘Naked’ and ‘Mix Up’. She was a member of Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath, has collaborated extensively with Robert Wyatt and also plays regularly with Sarah Jane Morris. Her session credits include Eric Clapton, Doctor John, Jamiroquai, The Spice Girls and Elvis Costello. Along with Jennifer she was a member of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra (PCO) for many years.

Chris first played with Annie, Jennifer and Liam at Harry Beckett’s memorial concert and also works with the band ‘Natural Causes’. He regularly leads workshops and has appeared at a number of festivals including Glastonbury, Huddersfield and Dartington, and played flugel horn in Opera North’s production ‘Song at a Year’s End’.

Jennifer is a multi-instrumentalist, writer and producer who has been working with Annie for many years and was also a long time member of the original PCO. She has worked with David Sylvian, Joan Armatrading, Gerry Rafferty, Paul Brady, Shakespears Sister, Boy George and Murray Head amongst others. She sang lead vocals on Annie and Robert Wyatt’s ‘Soupsongs’ project and recently formed ‘The Orchestra that Fell to Earth’ with a number of other original PCO members including Annie and Liam.

Liam Genockey has also been working with Annie and Jennifer for many years and also plays with Paul Brady, Sarah Jane Morris, Buick Six, Pass the Cat and the Soupsongs project. He is well known as a member of Steeleye Span and has also worked with Gerry Rafferty, Zzebra, Trevor Watts and Soft Machine Legacy amongst others.