A welcome return for this fantastic outfit who, since 1998, have been bringing together some of the area’s top musicians to create their own distinct brand of fast-moving, hard-hitting, foot-tapping contemporary big band jazz.

Nineteen of the best local jazz musicians come together and share their passion for big, bold, beautiful music.

Horn Factory perform an impressive and extensive range of contemporary big band jazz by composers such as Buddy Rich, Bob Mintzer, Quincy Jones, Oliver Nelson, Maynard Ferguson, James Morrison, Bobby Shew, Sammy Nestico and Gordon Goodwin, plus arrangements of music normally associated with smaller groups, including Thelonious Monk, Joe Henderson, Chuck Mangione, Chick Corea and Horace Silver.

Most of the charts have been composed in the last 15 years, bringing the big band genre right up to date with music that absolutely crackles with energy!

“Eighteen fine musicians on the extended Fleece Jazz stage gave us a mighty gig. I love the sound of a horn chorus, but to have fourteen of them in chorus was really something else: loved it.”

–  Dave Lyons, Fleece Jazz

Zoe Schwarz Vocals

Rob Koral Guitars

Pete Whittaker Organ

Paul Robinson Drums

Some quotes from live gigs:

“A different level of class. Zoe’s vocal: powerful yet vulnerable. Rob, Pete and Paul turned out a masterclass in Schofield-esque sophistication”

“This is a band of exceptional quality, fronted by the stellar vocals of Zoe Schwarz; you really shouldn’t miss the opportunity to enjoy them” 

“Powerful singing, great guitar work, phenomenal Hammond… a great set and Zoe is such a stylish performer”

I had not intended using so many quotes, but so many good things have been written about this outfit. Of Zoe: “She also sings with honesty, emotion and intensity” (David J.Scott, Blues Revue)

And from Zoe herself:

“Blues isn’t about twelve bars. It’s about passion and melancholy; it’s about world weary angst.” 

Come join us for blues at its best.

Sara Oschlag Vocals

Jonny Hepbir Guitar

Jason Henson Guitar

Dan Sheppard Bass

Sara has a beautiful voice, a natural musician’s ear and a superb sense of swing. Jim Mullen says of her, “She displays a maturity beyond her years in her song selection as well as her interpretation and whether swinging hard or caressing a ballad, Sara takes the listener on a journey, breathing new life into the old standards”.

She says, “Being a musician is teamwork. You gotta listen to each other & support each other musically: be the foundation, guide or give space. But always listen & look around. Without communication there is no jazz. “ And she has a very fine team.

A quote about the band: “”you guys are good… really good!” (Sir Paul McCartney). 

The band offers a vibrant blend of Gypsy Swing, funky Latin tunes and cool Jazz Standards, spanning across the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, all mashed up with some snappy arrangements and played from the heart.

Gaz Hughes Drums and Bandleader

Alan Barnes Saxes

Bruce Adams Trumpet

Andrzej Baranek  Piano

Ed Harrison Bass

Tonight, drummer Gaz Hughes will honour the music of one of the true jazz drumming greats in a glorious quintet with Alan Barnes on saxes, Bruce Adams on trumpet,  Andrzej Baranek  on piano and Ed Harrison on bass. The art of ‘Jazz Messenger’ Art Blakey (1919–1990) – described by fellow drummer Max Roach as ‘Thunder’ – is captured superbly by Hughes.

The feel-good factor is there: this band’s easier-swinging interpretation is refreshing, with Bruce Adams’ piercing trumpet improv a stand-out. The entire ensemble sparkles as one; and whilst classic jazz numbers are just that, it will be great to hear them portrayed by today’s players and with their depth and clarity.

John Law Piano

Sam Crockatt Saxes

Hendrik Jensen Bass

Alex Goodyear Drums

“. . . so full of joy that it can renew your faith not just in jazz, but in music itself”

– Independent on Sunday

A prize-winning classical prodigy on piano, John turned away from classical piano studies to pursue jazz and improvised music when he was 23, and has been involved in, and acclaimed for, a wide variety of contemporary jazz and classical projects ever since – from solo piano concerts and albums, trio and quartet tours and recordings, to large scale works for his semi-classical ensemble Cornucopia.

Formed in 2016, as a counterfoil to pianist John Law’s group Congregation (which mixed contemporary jazz with electronic sounds and backing tracks), Re-Creations began life as a fun project, with the aim of playing many different tunes from different musical genres. The fact that audiences almost always knew the songs, meant the group’s material was at the same time very accessible.

This quartet’s repertoire includes jazz classics by Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and George Gershwin, plus tunes from pop/rock/indie bands such as Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder and Radiohead. Gradually, classical pieces have started appearing in the repertoire, including a version of the Kyrie from Rossini’s Petite Messe Solenelle and Satie’s Gymnopédie.

“Melodic contemporary jazz with a strong rhythmic pulse and some strikingly memorable and original tunes”

–  Sandy Brown Jazz

Dave Lyons Saxes

Maciek Pysz Marimba

Dave Jones Bass

Stee Jordan Drums

“This is highly melodic music that is readily accessible, but consistently intriguing, and full of rhythmic sophistication.  It all makes for a very distinctive album and one that deserves to do well.” – The JazzMann

A musician who cites Jan Garbarek, Ralph Towner, John Coltrane and Jimi Hendrix among his influences, Julian’s playing has a sense of graceful lyricism and an inner strength, carefully crafting his improvising, which is beautifully structured and mellow.

All four musicians have strong and distinctive individual voices, but the sound they collectively produce is warm, playful, intimate, intricate, intense and, most importantly, far from banal or boring. Don’t take my word for it, look at these reviews! 

“All in all, masterfully written and played, elegant and expressive.  I’d wholeheartedly recommend giving this a listen.” – Lance Liddell,  Bebop Spoken Here, on  Connections: without borders. 

“Connections is a very enjoyable and often very beautiful album, one that again demonstratesCostello’s flair for melody and his abilityto build and sustaina specific mood or feeling”. – The JazzMann

Julian Costello Saxes

David Beebee Piano

Dave Jones Bass

Eric Ford Drums

“This is highly melodic music that is readily accessible, but consistently intriguing, and full of rhythmic sophistication.  It all makes for a very distinctive album and one that deserves to do well.” – The JazzMann

A musician who cites Jan Garbarek, Ralph Towner, John Coltrane and Jimi Hendrix among his influences, Julian’s playing has a sense of graceful lyricism and an inner strength, carefully crafting his improvising, which is beautifully structured and mellow.

All four musicians have strong and distinctive individual voices, but the sound they collectively produce is warm, playful, intimate, intricate, intense and, most importantly, far from banal or boring. Don’t take my word for it, look at these reviews! 

“All in all, masterfully written and played, elegant and expressive.  I’d wholeheartedly recommend giving this a listen.” – Lance Liddell,  Bebop Spoken Here, on  Connections: without borders. 

“Connections is a very enjoyable and often very beautiful album, one that again demonstratesCostello’s flair for melody and his abilityto build and sustaina specific mood or feeling”. – The JazzMann

Martin Speake Sax

Hans Koller Piano

Anders Christenen Bass

Anders Mogensen Drums

“Speake’s playing can be as enigmatic as his writing. The lyricism and subtlety of both his written and improvised melodies sometimes unfold so gradually that one needs to take a mental step back to absorb it all.” – John Kelman, All About Jazz

Although British jazz and jazz on the continent are continuing to thrive on their respective local levels, not many truly Anglo-European groups have managed to connect with such ease and shared understanding as Universal Connection.  Bavarian-born UK resident Hans Koller and London-born Martin Speake have both been at the forefront of the London jazz scene for a number of years and have both worked with bassist Anders Christensen during his 10-year stay in London. Copenhagen-based Christensen and Anders Morgensen have worked together as a celebrated Danish rhythm team for many years and have been part of some of the most ground-breaking bands on the vibrant jazz scene in Scandinavia. This international quartet is testament to the vibrancy, beauty and imagination of jazz old and new.

“Speake is a strikingly talented improviser with a seemingly bottomless well of inspiration” – Encyclopedia of Popular Music

Matt Wates Sax

Roy Hilton Piano

George Trebar Bass and Leader

Pete Hill Drums

Says leader George Trebar:

“Nighthawks is my latest project featuring the talents of Matt Wates on Alto, Roy Hilton on Piano and Pete Hill on drums. I feel very privileged to work with these superb musicians who between them cover a vast range and set of experiences performing, composing and arranging. Matt is a multiple Jazz Award winner on Alto, Roy has played piano for Sonny Stitt and Buddy Greco and Pete is the drummer for Alfa Mist.

This band explores Film music within a classic Jazz Quartet from the music of Michel Legrand to Burt Bacharach and Elmer Bernstein from films such as Butch Cassidy, Taxi Driver and Thomas Crown affair, with arrangements by myself. We also perform our own compositions and an eclectic mix from the Jazz canon. ”

Elaine Delmar Vocals

Barry Green Piano

Simon Thorpe Bass

Bobby Worth Drums

Let others speak for the wonderful Elaine Delmar:

“Ageless, evergreen singing…as beautiful and talented as ever…she’s marvellous!” – Michael Parkinson 

Her style is a mixture of Broadway musical punch and jazz-inflected subtlety. She has the belting defiance of a torch singer at times and the knowing raised eyebrow rasp of a blues artist, but also a hushed, confiding intimacy where it is appropriate, it is a blend that invites the widest possible audience. – John Fordham, The Guardian

and

“★ ★ ★ ★ The pianist Barry Green has self-produced a handful of enterprising recordings for his Moletone label that are testament of a song melody-driven contemporary post-bop manifesto.” – Jazzwise

“Simon Thorpe is one of the UK’s best-known jazz bassists. He was nominated in 2016 and again in 2017 for a British Jazz Award, and is a firm Fleece Jazz favourite” – Dave

“Bobby Worth is drummer to the stars” – Dave