Alan Barnes Alto sax

Vasilis Xenopoulos Tenor Sax

Jim Watson Piano

Andrew Cleyndert Bass

Clark Tracey Drums 

Paying homage to three of the most influential giants of Jazz, this outstanding quintet, led by Alan Barnes, celebrates the music of each of them.  One of the great tenor saxophonists in early jazz history, Ben Webster was considered one of the “big three” of swing tenors along with Coleman Hawkins, who was Webster’s main influence, and Lester Young. With a warm breathy sound on ballads that’s instantly recognisable and a tough raspy tone on stomps, Webster was Duke Ellington’s first major tenor soloist in the ‘40s.  Coleman Hawkins, nicknamed “Bean”, was the first important tenor saxophonist and he remains one of the greatest of all time.  A consistently modern improviser with an encyclopedic knowledge of chords and harmonies, Hawkins had a 40-year prime (1925-1965) during which he could hold his own with any competitor.  Charlie “Yardbird” Parker practically invented Modern Jazz with bebop along with his contemporaries Dizzy Gillespie and Bud Powell and shaped the course of 20^th century music. Rather than basing his improvisations closely on the melody as was done in swing, “Bird” was a master of chordal improvising, creating new melodies that were based on the structure of a song. 

Alan Barnes has been at the forefront of British jazz since 1980 and his musicianship and sense of humour have made him hugely popular in jazz clubs and festivals across the UK and beyond. He is best known for his work on clarinet, alto and baritone saxes, where he combines a formidable virtuosity with outstanding musical expression. 

Come and join us for what promises to be a gig full of outstanding tunes from the golden eras of swing and bebop played with passion and musical verve.

Ed Jones Tenor sax

Ross Stanley Piano

Riaan Visloo Bass

Tim Giles Drums

“A formidable saxophonist .  .  .  an improviser to his fingertips, a player of forceful imagination, and one of the UK’s most distinctive saxophonists.” John Fordham, The Guardian

Award-winning saxophonist Ed Jones returns to Fleece Jazz with his brilliant contemporary jazz quartet.  A mainstay of the London Jazz scene since the late 1980s, expect beautifully poised music as Ed and the band play recently composed new music as well as material from their highly acclaimed 2018 recording “For Your Ears Only.”

Based in London for over 25 years, Ed works in the UK and internationally with a wide range of his own projects and collaborations.  His experience as a sideman reflects his diverse musical interests, having worked with Free Jazz pioneers John Stevens and Evan Parker; US jazz legends Horace Silver, George Benson and Dianne Reeves; leading UK jazz musicians such as Jason Rebello, Don Weller and Byron Wallen; crossover projects such as Us3 and Incognito through to RnB legends such as Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, Carlene Anderson and Omar.  He has been described as “one of the most fluent and forceful saxophonists in Europe” (Jack Massarik, Evening Standard) and “inventive, physical, full of life, on the edge and unmistakeably of today” (Chris May, All About Jazz).

Ed is joined by widely respected and frequent Fleece Jazz visitor, Ross Stanley, on piano.  Constantly in-demand for his flowing creative and lyrical playing, he always serves the music and is universally revered by fellow musicians and the wider listening public alike. Bassist Riaan Vosloo is involved in a wide number of projects as a producer, arranger, composer and performer, including leading lights in the UK Jazz and improvised music scene such as Run Logan Run and Ben Lamdin aka Nostalgia 77. Drummer Tim Giles first made an impression at the age of 12 by winning the Daily Telegraph Young Composer of the Year Award in 1992.  While still in his teens, Tim performed internationally with saxophonists Iain Ballamy and Stan Sulzmann and his current regular projects also include Ben Lamdin’s Nostalgia 77 and the Tori Freestone Trio.

“The vigorous, sometimes downright volcanic tenor sound of Ed Jones has long been one of the great live delights of British Jazz.  His barnstorming ‘terrier with a rat’ approach raises the music’s temperature whenever he solos”.  Chris Parker, Jazzwise

Josh Kemp Tenor sax

Gareth Williams Piano

Dave Manington Bass

Tristan Maillot Drums

“A fierce talent” Jazzwise magazine

This evening Josh Kemp and his quartet explore the lyrical and spiritual music of John Coltrane, including his masterpiece, A Love Supreme, one of the biggest-selling recordings in Jazz.  This seminal and unique album represents the peak of Coltrane’s achievement and his musical journey from bebop to the avant-garde of 1960s Jazz.  It remains to this day a work of deep spiritual power, representing a struggle for purity, an expression of gratitude and an acknowledgement that the musician’s talent comes from a higher source.  The performance is accompanied with video projections inspired by the meaning and message of Coltrane’s music.

A jazz saxophonist with a gift for melody, Josh Kemp is known for his lyrical, improvising style and imaginative compositions and collaborations.  Josh has studied Coltrane’s original material, yielding an authentic yet personal recreation of the epic aural poem that is A Love Supreme as well as other compositions. 

Composer and songwriter Gareth Williams is a Chancellor’s Fellow at Edinburgh College of Art. His compositions seek to find new relationships, participants, collaborators and audiences for new opera, music theatre, and song, to shed light on stories and communities that have been overlooked, and to explore ideas of vulnerability in vocal writing.

Bassist and composer Dave Manington is one of the mainstays of the London jazz scene and a founder member of the Loop Collective.  He has played with many of the pre-eminent jazz musicians in the UK and Europe including Julian Arguelles, Marius Neset, Gwilym Simcock, Mark Lockheart, Tim Garland, Iain Ballamy, Gwyneth Herbert, Pete King and Yazz Ahmed.

Tristan Maillot has been active on the UK jazz scene since the mid 90’s as both sideman and leader. He has played with numerous leading international stars such as Jim Hall, Stacey Kent, Clare Martin, Jim Mullen, Fred Hersch, Martin Taylor, Stan Tracey, Steve Grossman, Norma Winstone and Bobby Wellins.

“A subtle, highly nuanced and original sound” Time Out

Joanna Eden Vocals

Chris Ingham Piano

Andres Lafone Bass

George Double Drums

“Bloody marvellous” – Dame Cleo Laine

“sophisticated, stylish vocalist” – Jazz Journal

Joanna Eden presents a ‘labour of love’ show celebrating the music of her vocal hero Ella Fitzgerald.  From the throw-away “A Tisket A Tasket” which brought Ella to fame in the forties with the Chick Webb Orchestra to  later songbook album classics like Porter’s “Every Time We Say Goodbye” and Gershwin’s “Someone to Watch Over Me” , Eden mines the rich seam of Ella Fitzgerald’s unrivalled canon with humility, style and obvious deep affection.

Mojo magazine describes her songwriting as having ‘melody, mystery and bite’. With six solo albums to her credit, Joanna is considered one of the finest singer-pianists in the UK with a style that covers a broad spectrum, through jazz, soul, bossa nova and blues. Her beautifully crafted compositions give life to personal and expressive lyrics, which – like her songwriting hero Joni Mitchell – question and reflect life’s changes.

This Tuesday will be exceptional, because Joanna will be singing the songs and loves of the great Ella Fitzgerald. Chris Ingham will be on piano, and Andres Lafone will join us on bass. Our great friend, the drummer George Double will be with us. This is an ideal trio to support any singer, and as a group on their own.

Nick Tomalin Piano

Nat Steele Vibes

Dave Warren Guitar

Luke Fowler Bass

Matt Fishwick Drums

“An evening of unpretentious, gently swinging jazz”         Ian Mann

Highlighting the work of the influential and important British pianist, George Shearing, these five wonderful musicians celebrate one of the greatest jazz musicians this country has ever produced and the distinctive sound of his classic quintet. The repertoire includes Shearing’s best-known compositions including ‘Lullaby of Birdland’ and ‘September in the Rain’ but also features some of Shearing’s slightly more unfamiliar tunes and arrangements.

Initially trained as a classical pianist, Shearing turned towards jazz, playing in pubs and music halls before moving on to make recordings and radio broadcasts and then settling in the U.S.A. in 1946. Shearing was one of only a very few British jazz musicians of that era to establish a truly international reputation.  Born in 1919, the long-lived Shearing remained creative until well into his 80s and was knighted for his services to music in 2007. He died on Valentine’s Day in 2011.

Over the last twenty years Nick Tomalin has become a mainstay of the London jazz scene and works regularly with some of the country’s leading jazz musicians including Jim Mullen, Mark Lockheart, Stan Sulzmann and Alan Barnes amongst many others.  When still a student Nick appeared in a masterclass with George Shearing which was filmed for the Southbank Show episode ‘The Shearing Touch’. Partly inspired by this, Nick decided to form the ‘Shades of Shearing’ Quintet dedicated to performing his unique and popular compositions and arrangements.

John Etheridge Guitars

Theo Travis Sax

Pete Whittaker Organ

George Double Drums

A veritable jazz-prog super-group featuring electric guitar, sax and flute, organ and drums, the John Etheridge Theo Travis Quartet will bring us superbly talented musicians. For many years Etheridge and Travis have been the frontline of the legendary band Soft Machine, but each has played and recorded with an astonishing who’s who of international musical talent too numerous to mention but including Stephane Grappelli, Pat Metheny, Nigel Kennedy, John Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Robert Fripp, David Gilmour, Gary Kemp, David Sylvian and Gong just for starters.

The rhythm section comprises one of the most go-to keyboard players in the British jazz and blues scene, Pete Whittaker and our great friend, drummer George Double. Expect a pulsating night of musical fireworks and dreamy ambient soundscapes.

Bryan Corbett Trumpet/Flugel

Chris Bowden Alto sax

Matt Ratcliffe Piano

Tom Hill Bass

Carl Hemmingsley Drums

“A warm, brilliant tone and a formidable technique”         

The Independent

This outstanding quintet celebrate the year 1959 in jazz that saw the release of some of the most revered jazz albums such as Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue, Charles Mingus’ Ah Um, Dave Brubeck’s Time Out and Ornette Coleman’s The Shape of Jazz To Come as well as Blowing The Blues Away by Horace Silver amongst others.

As well as performing under his own name, Bryan Corbett has been performing with world renowned stars, a who’s who in the jazz and commercial world. Bryan is not only a great performer of the jazz standards repertoire but an artist who pushes the boundaries writing and performing original works with his various line-ups.

Saxophonist Chris Bowden works as an arranger and performer with a highly individual style. He first came to prominence with his 1996 funk/acid/Latin-jazz ‘Time Capsule’. Pianist Matt Ratcliffe has performed with a wide range of jazz musicians in clubs and festivals across the U.K.

“Bryan is one of the chosen few. Class, pure class, plays from the heart, every note has a reason to live. Truly someone who can sing through his instrument.” 

– Andy Taylor, the maker of Bryan’s trumpets.