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

Simon Thorpe Bass and Bandleader

Liz Fletcher Vocals

George Hogg (dep for Enrico Tomasso) Trumpet

Malcolm Earl Smith Trombone and Vocals

Luke Annesley Saxes and Clarinet

Alex Garnett  Saxes and Vocals

Colin Oxley Guitar

John Pearce Piano

Matt Skelton Drums..   

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

John Etheridge Guitars

Pete Whittaker Organ

George Double Drums

John’s trio includes Pete Whittaker on organ, and George Double on drums, and John on a plethora of guitars. Blue Spirit 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 bluesy, 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! This band has been popular on the club circuit for many years and always delivers.

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 &60s 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.

Sara Dowling Vocals

Chris Ingham Piano

Dario De Lecce Bass

George Double Drums

“Her voice has all the qualities that you find in the great singers” – Guy Barker

“How soon before it will become normal to think about her as one of the best jazz singers this country has? “ – Sebastian Scotney – London Jazz News

“Rarely does a jazz singer grace our scene with such breathtaking authenticity and natural flair. Dowling is this thing” – Ian Shaw

We travel back to the Golden Age of Hollywood, with songs like Get Happy and Puttin’ on the Ritz from musicals like Meet Me in St Louis, The Harvey Girls, A Star is Born and more.

Sara is now recognised as one of the UK’s leading jazz vocalists. Her distinctive voice owes much to her Irish father and Lebanese mother, surrounded by the records of her father’s jazz collection and the chant like voices of Lebanese singers.

Voted ‘Best Singer’ – British Jazz Awards 

The Chris Ingham Trio is welcome back  to our stage. Chris, Dario and George have given us many a delightful gig.

Alan Barnes Saxophone,

Robert Fowler Saxophone,

Karen Sharp Saxophone,

David Newton Piano,

Simon Thorpe Bass,

Clark Tracey Drums

Alan Barnes is a prolific international performer, composer, arranger, bandleader and touring soloist.  He is best known for his work on clarinet, alto and baritone sax, where he combines a formidable virtuosity with a musical expression and collaborative spirit that have few peers. As a raconteur he has no jazz peer.

His range and brilliance have made him a “first call” for studio and live work since his precocious arrival on the scene more than thirty years ago.

We will be treated to a Christmas reprise of his brilliant Ellington/Strayhorn album.

Art Themen Saxophone,

Pete Whittaker Hammond Organ,

George Double Drums

We are delighted to have three of our favourite musicians with us. Art Themen’s Wikipedia page chronicles his illustrious jazz career. We love his tone, musicality and joy in playing.

Pete Whittaker is organist for the best. The Hammond B3 beast he brings is in itself a marvel.

“George Double’s fine and delicate drumwork offering a shimmering background”  LONDON JAZZ NEWS.

Alina Bzhezhinska Harp,

Jay Phelps Trumpet,

Mikele Montolli Bass,

Adam Teixeira Drums,

Joel Prime Percussion

“Alina Bzhezhinska… throws a spellbinding party to awaken the senses” – London Jazz News

“…Bzhezhinska shares with Alice (Coltrane) a mastery of the jazz harp.” ★★★★★, The Times

Alina Bzhezhinska is one of the most exciting and dynamic harpists based in the UK. Her imaginative programmes have established her reputation as a harpist of exceptional accomplishment. She has had the honour of playing at European Parliament, at the Queen’s 80th-birthday celebrations at Balmoral Castle and at the King of Thailand’s birthday celebrations in Bangkok.

Jay, Mikele, Adam and Joel are outstanding players in their own right.

Greg Heath Tenor Sax,

Jason Yarde Alto Sax,

Graeme Flowers Trumpet,

John Donaldson Piano,

Matt Ridley Bass,

Tristan Banks Drums

This high energy sextet, with African and Jazz influences, was formed in late 2016, to perform the music of two titans of Jazz – Bheki Mseleku and McCoy Tyner.  It was an ambition born of love and experience; Simon Thorpe (the original bassist) and John toured with Bheki while Jason worked with McCoy.  These associations bring an authority and authenticity to the group’s music as well as having a strong influence on their original material.

Since the bands inception it has released its critically acclaimed debut album McCoy and Mseleku and has played to enthusiastic audiences at club and festival appearances including  Love Supreme, Scarborough, and Herts festivals as well as concert recordings for BBC Radio 3’s Jazz Now and in session for Radio 3’s J-Z.

Quentin Collins Trumpet,

Tom Ridout Reeds,

Daniel Higham Trombone,

James Owston Bass,

Will Barry Piano

Clark Tracey Drums

In his 42 years in the business of jazz, Clark Tracey has shown excellence and garnered awards in many guises: drummer, composer, leader, teacher for a start. He fosters great young talent in his groups. For us he is leading a stunning sextet, with himself as leader and drummer who brings great music and joy whenever he visits us.

Mark Armstrong is a trumpeter, composer and educator. He is artistic director of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Tom Ridout is a young reed player of whom Selwyn Harris of Jazzwise has said, “fiery, focussed soloing by impressive tenor saxophonist”.

Daniel Higham is the lead trombonist for the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, and has his own quartet. On piano will be Will Barry, who graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in 2016. He is part of numerous projects internationally, most prominently touring with Phronesis bassist Jasper Høiby. In 2015, electric bassist James Owston took up the double bass and joined the jazz course at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. He is currently in his fourth and final year, studying with Arnie Somogyi and Mark Hodgson.