Dave O’Higgins Tenor sax

Rob Luft Guitar

Ross Stanley Piano

Luke Fowler Bass

Rod Youngs Drums

“This is straight-ahead modern jazz in the African-American tradition, coming from the Monk and Trane lineage, but not bound to emulating it.”         

Previous visitors to Fleece Jazz but together here for the first time, saxophonist Dave O’Higgins and guitarist Rob Luft perform tunes from their recent release, Pluto. 

Dave O’Higgins has 24 albums as leader to his credit. He currently performs with the Harvey/O’Higgins Project, O’Higgins & Luft, Darius Brubeck Quartet and the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra. Rob Luft is an award-winning 28-year-old jazz guitarist from London whose virtuosity has been compared to that of six-string legends John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola & Paco De Lucia. Luft’s sound morphs Wes Montgomery with Bill Frisell, revealing his own trademark and worldly influences, while Dave O’Higgins’ emotive melodies evoke Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane, Joe Henderson and Michael Brecker with a melodic logic of his own.

Ross Stanley began playing with the band on organ but here brings more harmonic space to the soundscape with the piano. This opened up a place for the exciting sound of Luke Fowler on bass who impressed us on his previous visit to the Fleece as part of Tommaso Starace’s Power of Three trio. American drummer, Rod Youngs, so integral to the vibe of the band completes the line-up.

“O’Higgins’ hard but never oppressive swing anchors Luft’s more charmful, visionary flights.  It’s a potent mix.” – Andy Robson, Jazzwise.

Ross Stanley was held up in Spain, so the admirable Jim Watson took over at a few hours notice. He was superb.

Philip Clouts Piano

Samuel Eagles Sax

Tim Fairhall Bass

Marek Dorcik Drums

Among the quotes about this band:

“The best of British jazz” – Chris Phillips Jazz FM

“Precise ebullience and relaxed funkiness” – The Guardian

“A revelatory experience” – UkVibe

The dancing exuberance of South African Township music, the convivial groove of gospel-influenced soul jazz, the joyful sway of Cuban guaguanco rhythms, the bluesy melodies of middle eastern praise songs and so much more all come together in pianist Philip Clouts’ superbly accomplished quartet.

Clouts was born in Cape Town and the music of his homeland has stayed with him as he has continued on a voyage of discovery that has led him across all five continents, soaking up Caribbean calypso and the soulful strains of the Indian subcontinent while honouring and learning from jazz heroes including Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Charles Lloyd.

Tommaso Starace Sax

Jim Watson Piano

Luke Fowler Bass

“This is the sound of a trio having ‘serious fun’ and that sense of enjoyment readily transmits itself to the listener.” Ian Mann, The Jazz Mann

Born in Milan, Tommaso Starace first came to the UK in 1995 to study jazz at Birmingham Conservatoire, before undertaking post-graduate studies at the Guildhall in London. He has led working bands in both Britain and Italy and has recorded albums with both. 

Tommaso’s latest project represents a return to roots and getting back to basics with all three players recording as in a jam session, in the same room at the same time, allowing greater interaction between the musicians, the true “Power Of Three.” As Tommaso explains: “I wanted to explore a more intimate setting .  . . . the trio setting allowed all instruments to be lead players, stretching out and aiming to be more adventurous in improvisation.”

Of the trio’s choice of material Starace comments; “The choice of music was also important to me. I wanted to include a variety of styles from past to present composers, as well as music not confined to the jazz tradition.”  Among the composers featured are the late Ennio Morricone, Bobby Timmons, Stevie Wonder, Chick Corea, Michel Petrucciani and Charlie Parker.

“It was good to hear Tommaso in a trio setting .  .  .  .  giving full reign to his improvisational talents. Combined with this were the sometimes-explosive skills of the wonderful pianist Jim Watson providing some sizzling solos with Tommaso throughout the two sets, making it a stimulating concert.” Review of a gig at Chichester Jazz Club, Oct, 2022

Alan Barnes Alto Sax

Andy Panayi Tenor Sax

Robby Robson Trumpet

John Donaldson Piano

Simon Thorpe Bass

Pete Cater Drums

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.

Andy Panayi is an exceptionally gifted musician, skilled in performance, composition and arranging. He plays all the flutes and all the saxophones and currently leads his own groups, both jazz and classical. He also writes commissioned works and compositions & arrangements for his own ensembles.

They first played together more than three decades ago, and since then have both gone on to be multi-award winners.

This sextet plays post-bop tunes from a golden era of jazz, including some from the 1959 album ‘The Cannonball Adderley Quintet in Chicago’ (re-released in 1964 as ‘Cannonball and Coltrane’), and John Coltrane’s album ‘Blue Trane’ from 1957.

Oddgeir Berg Piano

Audun Ramo Bass

Lars Berntsen Drums

“A piano trio to get truly excited about, a trio for the new millennium”

– **** Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz

Jazz trios named after the piano player give certain expectations, be it Horace Silver and his tender “Que Pasa” or Esbjørn Svensson and his Northern sounds; clarity and intimacy are common to these, with a hint of tonal melancholy.  These characteristics also present with Oddgeir Berg Trio, who are clearly familiar with a Scandinavian jazz tradition. 

The trio’s sound has been called “withdrawn and cinematic.” In this aspect they share a characteristic with another Norwegian piano group, the Tord Gustavsen Trio. A notable difference is Oddgeir Berg Trio’s more effusive embrace of electronics, which adds to the cinematic and atmospheric aspect of the sound. 

The trio has some other tricks up its sleeve though, most importantly an urgency for action, pace and adventure.   Here the Oslo based trio has more in common with Miles Davis’ Jack Johnson than Scandinavia’s Jan Johannson. The love of jazz and blues drive Audun Ramo’s double bass and the propulsive drum sound of Lars Bentsen energetically support Oddgeir Berg’s playing. Berg’s curiosity in experimenting with Wurlitzer\Rhodes and synthesizer sounds sneaks into the soundscape and lends a distinctive colour to the sound panorama.

“Electroacoustic jazz with one leg in melancholy and the other in ecstasy.”

Simon Thorpe Bass

Enrico Tommaso Trumpet

Malcolm Earl Smith Trombone/Vocals

Mark Crooks Sax/Clarinet

Alex Garnett Sax/Clarinet

Colin Oxley Guitar

John Pearce Piano

Matt Skelton Drums

Liz Fletcher Vocals

Jivin’ Miss Daisy is an amazing band with lots of energy and the best songs from Gershwin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington and many, many more from the wonderful age of swing, jazz and jive.

Bass player Simon Thorpe established Jivin’ Miss Daisy in 1999.  Since then the band has gone from strength to strength . You can be sure Jivin’ Miss Daisy will have the audience dancing, partying or just singing along. JMD play your choice of classic songs from Gershwin, Cole Porter and Ellington through to Nat King Cole and Ray Charles.

What an amazing lineup! Nine superb musicians that we know well and love, ready to jive you with pleasure.

“Cheery vocals…good-time feeling…strong soloists…this band should put smiles on plenty of faces!” – Jazz UK Magazine

Dave Lewis Tenor sax

Al Cherry Guitar

Robin Aspland Piano

Neville Malcolm Bass

Rod Youngs Drums

Lizzie Dean Vocals

“.  .  .  It’s a real treat  .  .  .  tight chunky grooves and very exciting and funky sax .  .  .  . this is an absolute breath of fresh air  .  .  .  Dave Lewis sets a standard of powerful, fiery solos that will be hard to surpass this year.  More please!”     Blues and Soul

American saxophonist Dave Lewis leads 1UP with raw lyrical emotion and a horn full of funk, and his sound is perfectly matched by the soulful intensity and searing blues vocals of Lizzie Deane. The band lays down the deepest grooves with space for virtuosic improvisation and breath-taking interplay. 

Dave Lewis’ robust and melodic tenor playing has been heard with a notable list of artists including John Martyn, Bryan Ferry, Joan Armatrading, John Mayall, Eric Clapton and The Blockheads. The 1UP band features an impressive array of talent fronted by vocalist Lizzie Deane, a fabulous singer who for many years has worked with some of the finest performers around, including Carleen Anderson, Mica Paris and Jocelyn Brown.  Lizzie’s warm persona and infectious performance style calls to mind the great soul divas such as Aretha Franklin and Dusty Springfield, but at the same time she brings her own unique energy and approach to every song.  The band tonight also features the wonderful Al Cherry on guitar, Robin Aspland on piano, Neville Malcolm on bass and Rod Youngs on drums. 

The band pick up the standard from where The Crusaders, Rufus Thomas and The Meters left off.  With their original material and evocative lyrics, 1UP bring their own contemporary edge to the groove.  Above all, it’s a band of outstanding musicians who play as one.

“Spine tingling” The Guardian

John Etheridge Guitars

Pete Whittaker Organ

George Double Drums

“Blue Spirits Trio”, featuring Pete Whittaker and George Double, came about through John’s love of the perennially attractive combination of Electric Guitar and Organ. Blue Spirits have a take on this well-known combination in a way that connects with the bluesier, intense side of John’s playing. There are plenty of typical swing elements, augmented by soulful ballads and fiery funk outings. The aim is to groove and move!

John’s history includes playing with Grapelli, heading Zapatistas, duos with John Williams, and his own bands. As well as  a world class player, he is a classy raconteur. 

Pete is a piano player who migrated to Hammond organ after hearing the classic 1950s &1960s Jimmy Smith records. He is a Hammond star.

George’s playing and recording credits include Dame Shirley Bassey, Grammy Award Winner Jack Jones, Marc Almond, Mica Paris, Ruthie Henshall and Kym Mazelle. His West End and touring theatre record includes stints on Wicked, Guys and Dolls, Avenue Q, Sinatra and Anything Goes.

This band has been popular on the club circuit for many years and always delivers.

We are sorry to announce that the gig had to be cancelled due to illness in the band. We wish Sam and family a speedy recovery. He leaves us with a present: a 45 minute video of the band on YouTube.

George Crowley Tenor Sax

Tom Farmer Bass

Sam Jesson Drums

“a free-wheeling polyrhythmic tour de force and to these ears an absolute delight” – Jazz Mann

The Magpie Trio is led by Sam Jesson on drums who explains that much of the music in the band’s set are reworkings of popular songs as arranged by the great Ahmad Jamal. The intent is to capture the spirit of the original artist rather than to simply play his greatest hits. Sam has been a key figure on the London Jazz scene for some time now and this tour marks his debut as a bandleader in trio with Tom Farmer from the superb Empirical and George Crowley from the Ivo Neame Quartet.

United by their love for the tradition of legendary jazz trios from Ahmed Jamal to Sonny Rollins, Oscar Peterson to Dewey Redman, the trio wind their way through many gems of the jazz canon – some lesser known than others – sometimes deconstructing and breathing new life, sometimes paying homage to classic arrangements, with a devoted focus on making music that feels honest and joyous.

“…simultaneously cherished where jazz has been, and relished where it might be headed” – John Fordham, The Guardian