Quentin Collins Trumpet/Flugel

Vasilis Xenopoulos Tenor sax

Rob Barron Piano

Mátyás Hofecker Bass

Matt Home Drums

“This is hard bop for today. Art Blakey delivered the message, Five-Way Split received it, decoded it and added their own stamp”         

Bebop Spoken Here

Five-Way Split is a new jointly led band formed in 2020 featuring some of the finest contemporary bebop musicians in the UK.  Five-Way Split is fronted by internationally renowned trumpet star Quentin Collins and Greek saxophone phenomenon Vasilis Xenopoulos, with the golden touch of pianist Rob Barron.  Added to this are virtuosic bassist Mátyás Hofecker and rock-solid drummer Matt Home. 

The band’s vision is to carry on the lineage of groups like Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers as well as mirroring the New York contemporary bop scene.  From this inspiration, the band presents a sound that respects the tradition of the hard-bop era whilst also bringing it up to date for today’s audience.  With an extensive repertoire of hip, swinging material by greats like Jimmy Heath, Cedar Walton and Horace Silver, along with their carefully crafted and imaginative original compositions, Five-Way-Split delivers a night of the best swinging and soulful music.

Other press quotes:

Quentin Collins “Splendid” ★★★★★ – BBC Music Magazine.

Vasilis Xenopoulos “One of the most fiery young saxophonists around” ★★★★- The Times.

Rob Barron “Classic Jazz Piano at it’s best” 5/5 – UK Vibe

“Five-Way Split – each member as formidable as the next” – London Jazz News

Sarah Jane Morris Vocals

Marcus Bonfanti Guitars

Tony Rémy Guitars

Henry Thomas Bass

Sarah Jane Morris is a singer with an astonishing vocal range. Her thirty-year career, during which she has garnered a loyal and loving international audience, has been wide-ranging and her rich contralto voice goes from strength to strength. She has performed with many groups over the years, from rock to soul to African blues, with classical orchestras, a one-hundred cello ensemble, with acoustic guitars and jazz big bands. Her voice, her versatility, and her emotional intelligence – the absolute authenticity of feeling which she conveys – make her a world-class compelling performer. It is a joy to see her back at Fleece Jazz, and in such good company.

With comments from the Guardian like “The next British Guitar hero”, we can expect a superb performance from Marcus Bonfanti. The Times chimed in with “Utterly Spellbinding”. Marcus is a blues singer, composer and guitarist. It will be a pleasure to welcome him to Fleece Jazz

Tony Rémy is one of the world’s most exciting guitar players of any genre. His hard-edged rhythmically driven approach is enriched with jazz intuition and bluesy soul. His ability to adapt to any style of music sets him apart from many other guitarists and is the principle reason why Tony’s name is consistently near the top of the ‘must have’ list. Just ask Annie Lennox, Jack Bruce, Pee Wee Ellis, Mick Hucknall, Glenn Hughes, Craig David, etc. why they called him and the answer will always be the same – “Tony Rémy delivers!” 

I love the work of the mighty Henry Thomas. Whether his is backing an international artist, in the pit in the west end, or specially, playing for us at Fleece Jazz, he is a stunningly fine multi-instrument bassist. He has gigged and recorded on countless hit records, TV and film soundtracks. He is also famous for his role as a co-founder of the BBC TV series Rockschool. He has the rare expertise of being able to sightread and improvise at an extremely high level. 

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