FROM 'BROWN EYED GIRL' TO 'MOONDANCE': VAN MORRISON'S GREATEST SONGS COME ALIVE IN A NEW LONDON RESIDENCY BY THE VAN MORRISON ALUMNI BAND

6 days ago

4 min read

Leo Green Musical Director, Curator, Saxophonist

"Musicians who tour & record with the legendary Van Morrison, bring their unmissable weekly show to London’s Emerald Theatre packed with his rarely performed greatest hits

TUESDAYS – THE EMERALD THEATRE, EMBANKMENT, LONDON"

I attended Press Night on Tuesday 1st September 2026, alongwith my visiting international Guest Kwame McPherson, Global Award Winning Writer, Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2023 winner for the Caribbean and Global Awards.

First half of review by Kwame McPerson:

It was the first time I actually listened to anything Van Morrison much less from the sterling performance from the Van Morrison Alumni nBand and fascinating to learn, in one aspect our another, that the musicians interacted with Van Morrison himself.

The lead Leo Green, Curator, Saxophonist and Musical Director was not only knowledgeable about Van Morrison's catalogue, having played with him, he was also a superb saxophonist, in his own right. Then there was Matt Holland too, he was phenomenal as he made his trumpet sing.

The entire band and accompanying singers were outstanding. A major standout for me was Wayne Hernandez. He caught my ear with his fabulous baritone voice. To pick a particular song and its magnificence would be difficult since everyone was on point, engaging with a full house of satisfied fans. All in all, this is a fabulous production, one that needs all of lovers of music to attend and hear Van Morrison's wonderful catalogue. Kwame McPherson, Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2023, Global and Caribbean regional Winner

Esther Austin, Leo Green and Kwame McPherson

Review by Esther Austin

Music has the power to transform, to heal , to unite, to bring joy, to inspire, encourage and all those wonderful things that eventually become the thread which reflects man's connection and organic humanity to another. Music, like food, is often a bridge that allows us to connect, in whatever that shows up to be.

However, it is also much more than that. Music is something that reflects into our soul, a rhythm, a deep resonance to something deeper within us. And this is what I felt during the performance at The Emerald Theatre, the new London residency by The Van Morrison Alumni Band. Watching and listening, two separate aspects of how we interact, offered me the opportunity to digest the music of Van Morrison, which had an underlying resonance of Soul and the deep rich, melody of 'The Spirituals.' A cacophony of musical hues of soulful and soul-filled blues with undertones of jazz and hints of rock 'n' roll and what I got to be privy to, was a nostalgic and eclectic performance, that bought back memories of those artists of old. I could hear and understand the influences of many of the songs Van Morrison wrote and it is known people like Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Jackie Wilson, Solomon Burke inspired him.

The performance was all the more poignant and enriching because of Leo Green, Curator, Musical Director and Saxophonist who gave a riveting narration of those influences using a timeline, from when Van Morrison first started out in Ireland as a child and the dreams he had for music. I found Leo to be a passionate whirlwind of musical inspirational, someone who felt and understood the mood of the music and the saxophone was his muse. I watched as he danced with the saxophone, on bended knee, or rising up then bending backwards as if reaching his notes to the very heights of the heavens.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/acd5e9_43727d6baced46198169959e35a18969/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Each Vocalist gave happy gravity to the songs they sang. Their voices perfect for the songs they individually performed, enriching the moment with their interpretation and tonality, giving Van Morrison's musical creative genius even more personality, and as always with the whisper of music legends in the background. Three Vocalists - Jessica Greenfield reminded me of a Rock Chic deep, rich and powerfully husky. Taking the musical experience into a dark sultry salon., where a whiff of smoke could create a whole ambience of waiting and anticipation. Jo Harman, deeply soulful, weaving and captivating spiritual mastery through song - every pause was like an inhalation, you were forced to become very still and very present. Hayley Sanderson, tones dulcet, alluring with a hint of country soulful poetry in motion. Then there was the Baritone of Wayne Hernandez. I can't possibly use the word 'deep' anymore as his voice almost gave me 'Barry White' chills. This wasn't just about depth, this was about enriching and allowing us to experience a vocal experience of the ancestors. and all their melodic enticements

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/acd5e9_4d10d622e663404baf21735842ace5f8/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Each member of the band bought something special to the stage. Not just an enjoyment of good music, but a celebration of a man who allowed them to become part of his journey, his musical playground, where music wasn't just about notes, words and a cacophony of instruments - but one where it all became a musical playground, an adventure, a gift. Acknowledging also the backing singers, Tess Burrstone and Sophie Hiller whose gentle fluid flow and vocals made The Van Morrison Alunmi Band Press Night a very memorable evening. Celebration and Nostalgia. Two words that sum up this very very pleasant evening.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/acd5e9_bfa7a4efcba742868edb302686253a72/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

The Van Morrison Alumni Band have also recorded their own debut album, Volume 1 – brand-new interpretations of some of Van Morrison's most loved songs – available to purchase now HERE. The group currently features Matt Holland (Trumpet), Steve Pearce (Bass), Alec Dankworth (Bass), Robin Aspland (Piano), Geoff Dunn (Drums), Ralph Salmins (Drums) and curated and led by saxophonist and Musical Director Leo Green, with vocalists including Jessica Greenfield, Hayley Sanderson, Natalie May Paris, and Wayne Hernandez. Collectively they have accompanied Van in concert more than 3,000 times all over the world as well as having amassed more than 600 recording credits alongside him in the studio.