Description

Encouraged by his semi-professional trombonist father, Simon Spillett studied music from early childhood. Early influences were John Coltrane, Johnny Griffin, Sonny Rollins and Ben Webster, although it was Tubby Hayes' playing which created the biggest and most telling impression. After becoming a professional musician at 21, Simon built a strong reputation among peers and audiences with his inventive and original playing. He also writes knowledgably on jazz, especially British saxophonists, and his work has appeared in Jazz Journal International, Jazzwise and numerous CD liner notes.

Rob Barron started playing piano at the age of five. He moved to Leeds in 2000 to study Jazz at Leeds College of Music. During his time there he played with Bob Mintzer, Tim Garland and Soweto Kinch. He has played with many other jazz luminaries and with the BBC Big Band and Ronnie Scott's Jazz Orchestra.

A stalwart of the British jazz scene, Alec Dankworth is one of the best acoustic bass players around. Since the 1980s, Alec has worked with musicians from across genres including Nigel Kennedy, Dave Brubeck, Van Morrison and of course his parents John Dankworth and Cleo Laine.

Spike Wells took up playing drums in his early teens and was later tutored by Philly Joe Jones. In 1968, he joined the Tubby Hayes Quartet and continued playing with Hayes, in both his quartet and his big band, until the saxophonist's death in 1973. He also worked with many visiting soloists at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, including Stan Getz, Roland Kirk, Joe Harriott, Art Farmer, Johnny Griffin and James Moody.

. . . saxophone playing of the highest order, consistency of tone, infallible note production irrespective of tempo . . . - Alun Morgan Jazz Journal International

Description

Keepers Lane,

Leavenheath,

Colchester,

Essex,

England,

CO6 4PZ.