FEBRUARY 1st - THE PETE LETANKA SEXTET
PETE LETANKA is a professional jazz pianist and composer and an associate of the NATIONAL YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA. He graduated in 1997 with a first class BA (hons) after which he formed the PETE LETANKA TRIO with bassist ANDY HAMIL and drummer WINSTON CLIFFORD. They became very active on the London jazz scene, performing at Ronnie Scott's, the Purcell Room, and the Queen Elizabeth Hall. He was signed with Zephyr Records in 2005 who released his debut album Afrostocracy. Since then he has been involved with the Children's Music Workshop and has led projects for the Royal Opera House and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Tonight, the band will be playing a tribute to the inspirational music of Charles Mingus and Abdulla Ibrahim.
MARCH 1st - THE MARK EDWARDS QUARTET
With Mark Edwards piano, Ben Castle Sax and clarinet, Darren Becket drums and Arnie Somgyi double bass. These four musicians have extensive CV’s in the world of music having recorded and toured internationally with a wide array of artists: Radiohead, Madelaine Peyroux, Katie Melua and Sting to name but a few. Darren Beckett returned to the UK two years ago after a decade living and working in New York, and Ben Castle, now resident in Dublin, makes a visit home to join with this brand new project. The band put their own spin and fresh arrangements on jazz standards, ancient and modern, as well as a few pieces drawn from the outer edges of their eclectic influences and experience.
APRIL 5th - THE MATT WATES SEXTET
Matt Wates alto sax, Steve Main tenor Sax, Martin Shaw trumpet, Leon Greening piano, Malcolm Creese bass and Matt Home drums. The band has been together now in this format for some twelve years and the combination of two saxes trumpet and rhythm section has become a classic, creating innumerable possibilities for an arranger/composer. Matt endeavours to come up with material that will be fun to play, as well as creating a strong mood that communicates itself well to an audience. In style, the sextet resembles many of the great small bands of the 50s and 60s, such as those of Horace Silver and Art Blakey. Taking inspiration from the past, but trying not to replicate it, the band performs music for which they have the deepest respect.
MAY 3rd - ENRICO TOMASSO WITH RICO'S RIVERBOAT SHUFFLERS
With ENRICO TOMASSO trumpet & vocals, GRAHAM HUGHES trombone, TREVOR WHITING alto sax & clarinet, MARTIN LITTON piano, MARTIN WHEATLEY guitar and RICHARD WHITE bass sax, clarinet & vocals. This fabulous band play the classic jazz from of the 20s and 30s reminiscent of BIX BEIDERBECKE and his peers, a band that breathes new life into the golden era of Jazz.
JUNE 7th - THE TJ JOHNSON QUINTET
Backed by his group of top London based musicians TJ plays an extraordinary blend of music that transcends the boundaries of jazz, blues, soul, country and gospel. His distinctive voice and unique personal stage manner always brings both the band and the audience together to create an intimate yet exciting atmosphere that is rarely equalled. Widely considered to be one of the UK’s most charismatic highly revered jazz and blues singers, TJ with his band have toured extensively both in the UK and overseas including many sell-out performances at London’s famous Ronnie Scott’s.