Alan Barnes
Sax
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. 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.
His recorded catalogue is immense. He has made over thirty albums as leader and co-leader alone, and the list of his session and side-man work includes Bjork, Bryan Ferry, Michel LeGrande, Clare Teale, Westlife, Jools Holland and Jamie Cullum. He has toured and played residencies with such diverse and demanding figures as Ruby Braff, Freddie Hubbard, Scott Hamilton, Warren Vache, Ken Peplowski, Harry Allen and Conte Candoli.
In British jazz, the young Barnes was recognized – and hired – by the established greats of the time: Stan Tracy, John Dankworth, Kenny Baker, Bob Wilber, and Humphrey Lyttelton. But he is equally respected for his longstanding and fruitful collaborations with contemporaries such as David Newton, Bruce Adams, and Martin Taylor.
Alan Barnes’s unique musicianship, indefatigable touring, and warm rapport with audiences have made him uniquely popular in British jazz. He has received over 25 British Jazz Awards, most recently in 2014 for clarinet, and has twice been made BBC Jazz Musician of the Year.
Barnes’ melodic sense bypasses the usual scale-running clichés that pepper the playing of lesser bop disciples.
Peter Marsh, BBC Music Review.
His stylistic range is quite phenomenal… He has a wonderful capacity for suggesting a given style without actually imitating anyone
Dave Gelly, Masters Of The Jazz Saxophone.
I was relishing the prospect of Barnes’s casually consummate musicianship, deadpan humour (he could be a comedian, if jazz ever fails him), and indomitable belief in a respected place for the music’s rich history in this eclectic and often forgetful world.
John Fordham – The Guardian.
Barnes plays music that was radical 50 years ago but he infuses it with so much passion and energy you could believe it was minted on the spot, which is always part of the story with jazz.
John L. Walters, The Guardian.
Rob Barron
Piano
Rob Barron graduated from Leeds College of Music in 2003, having been awarded prizes for jazz performance 3 years running. He subsequently completed the Guildhall postgraduate jazz course studying under Simon Purcell.
Rob is very busy on the London jazz scene as a member of many of the new generation bands.
He leads and has recorded with his own trio featuring Jeremy Brown and Josh Morrison
He is also in demand for many film and TV show session recordings. Highlights include a week with Al Jarreau’s band at Ronnie Scott’s. Rob, held the piano chair with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra for many years.
Artist credits include Bob Mintzer, Phil Woods, Soweto Kinch, Curtis Fuller, Jimmy Heath, Anita Wardell and Alan Barnes, paloma Faith and Mari Wilson
Brigitte Beraha
Vocalist
Brigitte studied Music at Kingsway College, Goldsmiths College, and Jazz at the Guildhall School of Music. She is now recognized as one of the most versatile and interesting vocalists to emerge on the London jazz scene recently.
As well as performing and recording with musical luminaries such as Kenny Wheeler, Chris Laurence, Paul Clarvis, John Parricelli and Henry Lowther she is closely involved in the work of the new generation of jazz musicians and in particular the Loop and E17 jazz collectives.
Both her album releases show a wide range of musical influences. Prelude to a Kiss, is a more straight-ahead collection of standard songs and originals. Flying Dreams contains a very personal collection of original compositions, influenced by Anglo-European and Latin Jazz.
An experienced educator, Brigitte leads jazz workshops and teaches on a one to one basis at Goldsmiths College, The Guildhall and the Welsh College of Music. She has performed and led workshops in the United States, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, Turkey, Nepal and the UK.
2011 will see the release of two new albums: a standards album with John Turville & Bobby Wellins, and an album of mainly original music with “Babel Fish”, featuring Barry Green, Chris Laurence and Paul Clarvis.
Find out more at www.brigitteberaha.com
Jeremy Brown
Bass
Jeremy studied at the Royal Academy of Music in the early 1990’s and is now one of the most sought after double bass players in the UK.
He is currently a member of Stacey Kent’s touring trio and the John Wilson orchestra.He performs frequently with visiting American stars including Johnny Griffin, Art farmer, Brad Mehldau, Ed Simon, Charles Mcpherson and Mark Turner. He is a first call for the John Wilson orchestra and the BBC big band.
George Crowley
Sax
George Crowley is a saxophonist, clarinettist, composer and promoter, based in London.
Since his arrival in the capital in 2007, Crowley has steadily established himself as a key player within the creative jazz and improv scene, and he has become increasingly well-known further afield, performing across the UK and Europe.
His energy and expressive, warm saxophone sound mark him out as a musician to watch.
As a performer, George is active across a range of styles: from his own through-composed new music and the experimental improv of Agile Experiments, through to the jazz tradition, the colourful fusion of Yazz Ahmed’s bands and the anarchic grimey pop of Melt Yourself Down.
He can also be found playing with bands and musicians such as Julian Argüelles’ Septet, Michael Chillingworth’s Septet, Rick Simpson’s Klämmer, and the Olie Brice Quartet featuring Jeff Williams.
Outside of the world of jazz and improvised music, he has worked with artists such as Boy George and Culture Club, and Mount Kimbie.
Stephen Fishwick
Trumpet
Steve Fishwick is widely considered to be one of the best jazz trumpet players ever to come from the UK, and is rapidly gaining a global reputation thanks to his flawless technique and his beautifully flowing, harmonically rich improvisations.
He has often worked in partnership with Welsh tenor saxophonist Osian Roberts. Together they have recorded with NYC luminaries Cedar Walton, Peter Washington, Frank Basile, Jeb Patton and Mike Karn. In 2014 they were invited to perform at Dave Douglas’ prestigious Festival of New Trumpet Music in NYC, being the first UK led group to appear at the festival.
Steve has worked with most of the major jazz musicians in the UK and Europe including the BBC Big Band, the WDR Big Band (including projects with Ron Carter, Peter Erskine, Terrell Stafford, Dick Oattes, Jimmy Heath, and Michael Abene) and many others.
As well as being an official Schilke artist, Steve teaches at Leeds College of Music, the Royal Academy of Music, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Mick Foster
Sax & Clarinet
Mick Foster is a saxophonist, clarinettist and composer who is particularly noted as a specialist in the baritone saxophone. He studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London and has since worked extensively in the fields of jazz, commercial and classical music. He has appeared with many ensembles which include the big bands of John Dankworth, Stan Sulzmann and Mike Garrick, the Back to Basie Orchestra, Alan Barnes + 11, The Humphrey Lyttelton Band, Ginger Baker’s Air Force and The London Philharmonic Orchestra.
He has also worked with Cleo Laine, Jacqui Dankworth, Trudy Kerr, Mark Lockheart, Guy Barker, Digby Fairweather, Swing Out Sister, The BBC Concert Orchestra, English National Opera and The Syd Lawrence Orchestra. Mick has recorded three albums under his own name and is in demand as a session musician, having played for many film and TV soundtracks.
As a composer Mick has written for various ensembles which include the London Jazz Orchestra, Quartz Saxophone Quartet, Docklands Sinfonia and Onyx Brass. His music has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3; some of his pieces are published by Saxtet Publications and are included on both the ABRSM and Trinity College London exams syllabuses.
Mick is active as an educator; he teaches at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, The Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Goldsmiths College; he is also a tutor for the National Youth Jazz Collective.
Mike Gorman
Piano
Since moving to London in 1995 to attend the Guildhall School of Music, Mike has been an integral part of the London and UK jazz scene performing with virtually every UK horn player and vocalist of note. These include Peter King, Don Weller, Guy Barker, Alan Skidmore, Bobby Wellins, Art Themen, Stan Sulztmann and Alan Barnes and Tina May and Clare Teal to name a few.
Mike has also performed with leading international jazz artists such as Jimmy Witherspoon, Scott Hamilton, Bill Watrous, Stacey Kent, Georgie Fame, David Binney and Michael Urbaniak.
As a jazz organist, Mike is a key member of the Jim Mullen Organ Trio, with whom he as recorded 5 acclaimed albums.
He is also in great demand as a session player touring and recording extensively with a wide variety of pop artists including Boy George, Mica Paris, Incognito, Us3, Van Morrison, Hamish Stuart, Marty Pellow, Marlena Shaw, Gwen McCrae, Andrea Bocelli and Tom Robinson.
Barry Green
Piano
Barry studied classical and jazz piano at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama,graduating in 2002. He regularly performs with Ingrid Laubrock, Mark Lockheart, Bobby Wellins and Bob Martin and is a member of Larry Bartley’s trio and octet.
He appears frequently with the Generation Quartet featuring Martin Speake and Still Waters led by Henry Lowther.
His first CD as a leader, Timings, reflects the varied styles that Barry enjoys playing, as well as documenting his relationships with the musicians that have formed over the past few years. He has also recorded a duo Cd with the legendary UK bassist Dave Green.
He is a skilled accompanists working with many up and coming vocalists in London as well as more established artists such as Brigitte Beraha and Anita Wardell.
Find out more at www.moletone.com
Dave Jones
Bass
Dave’s professional playing career spans theatre, TV, radio and performing both nationally and internationally, alongside many artists such as Juan Martin, Willard White, Jacqui Dankworth, BBC Big Band and the award winning Pete Cater Big Band. He was also bass player for the exciting ‘Ronnie Scott’s Jazz and Soul Orchestra’ featuring The Voice finalist and Eric Clapton band member Michelle John.
He is a member of jazz collective Way Out West and he is active composing for and leading his own projects such as Dave Jones’ Nonet and Latin Affinity featuring soloists such as Roberto Pla, Tim Whitehead, Tony Woods, Henry Lowther, John Turville, Maciek Pysz. Current jazz projects in 2023 see him collaborating with musicians such as Meredith White, Mike Outram, Eric Ford, Stefanous Tsourelis and Filipe Montierra.
He is also participating in a new Joni Mitchell tribute project “Hejira”, featuring Hattie Whitehead and Pete Oxley
Gareth Lockrane
Flute
Gareth has performed and recorded with Jack DeJohnette, Bheki Mseleku, Kate Williams, Hans Koller, Sirius B, Natalie Williams, Tom Richards Jazz Orchestra, The James Taylor Quartet, Gwilym Simcock Nonet and big band, Paul Booth, NYJO (also contributing many compositions and arrangements), Pete King, Anita Wardell, Georgia Mancio and The Pasedena Roof Orchestra.
He runs several bands: the Gareth Lockrane Septet, Grooveyard and an 18-piece big band, formed in late 2008 whose members include Alex Garnett, Steve Fishwick, Adrian Fry, Mike Outram, Ian Thomas, Craig Wild, Robbie Robson and Sam Mayne) and which plays exclusively Gareth’s compositions and arrangements. They released a debut album in 2018.
He is also involved in the world of film and TV composition, having recently graduated from the film composition MA course at the National Film & Television School and is in demand as a teacher at Richmond College and on various summer schools.
Find out more at www.garethlockrane.com
Nia Lynn
Vocalist
Nia Lynn is a highly skilled contemporary performer who is most widely regarded for her outstanding knowledge in the area of jazz performance and contemporary vocal pedagogy. Her initial training at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama Specialising in Jazz voice, has expanded to include further studies in community music, improvisation and composition and delivery of text.
She is a Voice Coach for the Royal Shakespeare Company and Theatr Genedlathol Cymru. Nia is currently a Principle Study jazz singing teacher at the Royal Academy of Music and The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Nia also leads a critically acclaimed jazz trio (The Bannau Trio), exploring standards, songs, and originals in a chamber jazz setting with Gareth Lockrane & Ross Stanley. Their third album, Points of View, features Norma Wintsone and has won glittering acclaim. They are currently working toward their fourth album due for release . Nia Is also a fully accredited Yoga teacher with the British Wheel of Yoga and divides her time between her home in Cardiff, London and many engagements abroad.
Tristan Mailliot
Drums
Tristan is active on the UK jazz instrumental scene leading his own acoustic and electric quartets as well as with CD releases including the Jim Mullen Volunteers, Ben Croft Project , Jim Hart quartet, Kate Williams quintet and septet and Anita Wardell’s group.
During the early 90’s he toured the US with the acclaimed smooth jazz guitar group Acoustic Alchemy. Since then he has performed with many top American and UK jazz artists such as Art Farmer, Jim Hall, Stan Tracey, Steve Grossman, John Dankworth, Fred Hersch, Jim Mullen, Bobby Wellins…
Tristan has toured with most of the leading UK jazz vocalists including Stacey Kent, Anita Wardell, Jackie Hicks, Tina May, Norma Winstone , Claire Martin and Lily Dior and has appeared at Ronnie Scott’s with US vocalists Jackie Ryan, Judy Niemack and Karyn Allison.
He is currently working with the Jim Mullen organ trio, Josh Kemp “Love Supreme” project and Mick Foster’s quartet. He has previously been a drum tutor at the LCCM London, Drumtech, Trinity Laban and Musician’s Institute London. He is director of Loire Music Ltd.
Dave Manington
Bass
Bassist and composer Dave Manington is one of the mainstays of the London jazz scene. A founder member of the Loop Collective, he has played with many of the pre-eminent jazz musicians in the UK and Europe including Julian Arguelles, Marius Neset, Gwilym Simcock, Mark Lockheart, Tim Garland, Iain Ballamy, Gwyneth Herbert, Pete King and Yazz Ahmed amongst many others.
His debut quartet album Headrush was released on Loop Records in 2008 to critical acclaim. He followed this up with the 2013 Riff Raff album release Hullabaloo which was described as “inventive, forward looking jazz that subtly pushes the envelope whilst remaining thoroughly accessible to the listener.” An even more ambitious Riff Raff album Challenger Deep came out in 2018 after an extensive Arts Council funded UK tour. He is also a founder member of the much respected e17 jazz collective.
Dave has also accumulated extensive studio experience recording albums and sessions as a sideman for jazz, pop and singer-songwriters, as well as appearing on film and TV sessions. He’s played all around the world and appeared in many major international festivals including in Algeria, Italy, Poland, Greece, Ukraine, Norway, Lithuania and England over the last couple of years. He was nominated for an Ivor Novello Award for Jazz Composition in 2021, and was nominated for a Worshipful Company of Musicians jazz medal award in 2006. As an educator, he has taught double bass, guitar and jazz improvisation in schools and universities for many years.
Flo Moore
Bass
Flo Moore has rapidly risen to the top of the UK session scene on both electric and double bass. She has performed with artists as diverse as Pete King, Bobby Watson, Jason Rebello and , and has played at venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall the North Sea Jazz Festival and the Brixton Academy.
Flo plays regularly with a variety of ensembles and co-leads Hourglass, a James Taylor tribute. She has recently been touring with acclaimed New Zealand artist Jordan Rakkei with European and Australian tours and appearances at the Brixton Academy.
Flo can be seen backing a wide variety of new and established artists in London such as Emma Rawiecz, Sam Leak’s Looking Glass , Nick Smart’s Kenny wheeler ensemble and many more.
She was a finalist in both the Worshipful Company of Musicians ‘Young Jazz Musician of the Year’ and Cork Jazz Festival ‘Jazz Futures’ competitions, and is a past member of Tomorrow’s Warriors, Narija and Ezra Collective.
Judy NiemacK
Vocalist
Judy starting teaching voice and improvisation in the late 1970s, and has become one of the most influential jazz educators and a pioneer of vocal jazz education in Europe.
In the USA, she has taught in NYC at New School, William Patterson University, Long Island University, and New York City College.
Judy has written and published a set of three widely praised method books on jazz singing; the Hear It and Sing It! series.
Since 1995, she has been a professor of vocal jazz studies at the JIB (Jazz Institute Berlin). She now divides her time between Europe and New York
She has written lyrics for over 100 compositions by Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Richie Beirach, Pat Metheny and Kenny Dorham (among others) which have been recorded on numerous albums her latest of which is “What’s love”, a collaboration with some of New York’s leading jazzmen such as Pete Bernstein and Joe Farnsworth.
Mark Ridout
Guitar
Mark is an experienced guitarist having performed in many of the UK’s major jazz venues and festivals with such names as Jimmy Smith, Babara Dennerlein, Tony Martin, Natalie Cole, Jane Monheit, Eddie Parker etc.
He has appeared on albums for various jazz artists including Jacqui Hicks, Andrea Vicari, Stuart Curtis, Simon Thorpe’s Improphonics and also pop and rock albums. As a session guitarist Marks playing is featured on some computer and wii game soundtracks.
Mark toured the US with Jazz funk band ‘Down to the Bone’ in 2001. He has performed on TV for ‘Strictly come dancing’ and with Alison Moyet on the ‘Lesley Garrett show’ and is regularly to be seen and heard with the BBC big band.
Mark has a busy teaching schedule and has taught on the Wavendon Jazz Summer school amongst others. Mark has an interest and experience in all areas of guitar playing having started his live playing career as a teenager in bands supporting heavy metal legends Iron Maiden !