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Past Events, Michaelmas 2008

Friday 17th October

Tom Millar Trio

Tom Millar and David Burgoyne are final year music students at King's and Churchill respectively. Having met playing piano and drums in CUJO, they have been in a trio for two years with bassist Ali Wedderburn, who has just graduated. They are now joined by electric bass player and Birmingham Conservatoire graduate Ida Hollis.

Dave has played at the 606 club, The Crypt and Europa theme park in Germany, and frequents the bristling Essex music scene. He is president of Churchill music society, and has given recitals in his college as well as holding an instrumental and accompanist bursary.

Ida took her first jazz lessons at Weekend Arts College in North London in workshops led by UK saxophonist Tim Whitehead, later studying at Birmingham with Arnie Somogyi, Liam Noble, and Julian Siegel. During her time in Birmingham Ida played with Sum:mary, a hip-hop/jazz outfit who performed at the opening of Birmingham's Town Hall alongside Giles Peterson. Ida now plays in several ensembles covering a wide range of musical styles from a 10 piece Frank Zappa tribute band to pop show bands and jazz ensembles.

Tom has played at the Jazz Cafe and Bull's Head, and also attended WAC in North London. He holds a university instrumental award and studies piano with Nick Weldon. Over summer he was coached by Cecil Bridgewater in Amsterdam.

Alex Merritt Quartet

Alex Merritt is a tenor saxophonist in his fourth year at the Birmingham conservatoire, studying with Liam Noble, Hans Koller, and Julian Siegel. In recent years Alex has become a recognisable name on the British jazz scene appearing at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival for the last three years. This quartet is a new band which he is really excited about playing some original compositions and arrangements with. The rhythm section includes bassist Calum Gourlay and drummer James Maddren.

Calum Gourlay, who graduated from the Royal Academy's jazz course last year is now very busy on the London jazz scene playing regularly with many London based musicians including Martin Speake, Tom Cawley (and his band Curios), Barry Green, Sebastiaan Cornelison and on occasion Ronnie Scott's House Band.

James Maddren, in his final year on the Academy jazz course, is currently playing in Phil Donkin's trio, Ivo Neame's trio, Kit Downes' trio and numerous other top class acts in London.