Next event:

4th November

Click here to go to the Facebook event

Sam Leak Quartet

Tom White (trombone)

Originally from the Westcountry, Tom began studying classical trombone aged nine, moving on to jazz during secondary school and thereafter through the Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra, along with many of the local big bands, being fortunate enough to perform alongside players such as Bill Watrous and Bobby Shew. Since moving to London in 2009, (via Southampton), he has been busy on the jazz scene, regularly performing with the Gareth Lockrane Big Band and London Jazz Orchestra amongst others, as well as extensive touring throughout the UK and Europe with an assortment of different jazz and commercial ventures, (credits include performing with Stevie Wonder's band, singer Jean Carn [Earth, Wind & Fire], Michael Henderson [Stevie Wonder/Miles Davis]). Currently running this new quartet, whilst concurrently the Tom White Septet, organ-trio Tilt Shift, as well as a double-trombone project with trombonist Trevor Mires.

Neil Johnson (tenor sax)

Not your typical Texan, Neil Johnson is a London-based saxophonist with roots in jazz and ska. After receiving his degree in Jazz Studies from the renowned University of North Texas in 2000, he soon left the honkytonks of his native Dallas behind and moved to Montreal (via Philadelphia and a short breeze through the Caribbean). He has played thousands of shows in over 25 countries with Canada's The Planet Smashers and NYC ska pioneers The Toasters. Never one to be painted into any corners, Neil has been active in the London jazz scene since 2007, played with Motown legend Martha Reeves in 2011, and is an enthusiastic educator. He endorses Rico Reeds and Sennheiser microphones.

Bill Mudge (organ)

Bill is currently a member of The SE Collective, The Paul Jordanous Ensemble, and the contemporary improvised power trio Tilt Shift. As a composer he writes music for his Organ based quartet, featuring guitarist Kevin Glasgow (Tony Monaco, S.N.J.O., Tommy Smith) drummer Chris Nickolls (The J-Word, Vasilis Xenopoulos) and alto saxophonist Piers Green (Clark Tracey Sextet).

Peter Ibbetson (drums)

Peter Ibbetson has been described as a 'drummer for the future' (jazzwise) and an 'intriguing composer' (jazz journal). He has played with some of the UKs finest musicians such as Pete Wareham, Phil Robson, Kit Downes and Rory Simmons. He plays in the bands of pianists Will Butterworth and Arthur Lea, Also in collaborative ensembles with Martin Speake and Alam Nathoo. His own group which features 'Empirical' vibraphonist, Lewis Wright, is part of the new, forward thinking 'SECollective'.

14th October

Partikel

(Taken from their website - check it out! www.partikel.co.uk)

Duncan Eagles - Saxes
Max Luthert - Double Bass
Eric Ford - Drums

'Partikel are three London based musicians all with very different musical backgrounds. We have come together to make music that mixes all of our favourite genres in a melodic, coherent and accurate way.
The music aims to put an interesting twist on the standard jazz format but still honouring the tradition of deep harmony, creative improvisation and interaction.
Partikel draw influences from African and Latin American music with the style of the contemporary New York scene which creates a fresh take on the saxophone trio format.'
They are currently touring the UK extensively in support of their second album, 'Cohesion'.

Sarah Tandy Trio

Sarah Tandy – Piano
Tiago Coimbra – Bass Ric Hudson – Drums

A recent stalwart of the Cambridge jazz scene, Sarah has just taken up a place on the jazz course at the Royal Academy of Music. She returns to Jazz at Johns with some of Cambridge’s finest musicians to play a set of bop standards as well as some original compositions.

6th May

Click here to go to the Facebook event

Sam Leak Quartet

Sam Leak - Keys
Alex Merritt - Tenor Sax
Dave Smith - Drums
Calum Gourlay - Bass

Pianist band-leader Sam Leak has been described by broadcaster Helen Mayhew as "a heavenly improviser and a brilliant prospect for the future," whilst this debut album with the band Aquarium (Babel Label) has been described by John Taylor as featuring "A set of absorbing compositions from Sam Leak. Excellent playing and interaction in the band - with intelligent use of space, colour and dynamics. A fine achievement." Tonight Sam will be performing with a quartet of London based musicians including Alex Merritt on Tenor Saxophone.

Josh Kemp’s Jazz Prophets

Josh Kemp - Tenor Sax
Tim Lapthorn - Piano
Spencer Brown – Double Bass
Richard Barr - Drums

"Their music breathes beautifully with subtle light and shade and it is shot through with feeling. This is mature, fully realized jazz of a high order, and a pleasure to hear." Ian Carr Josh Kemp is a jazz saxophonist, composer and arranger based in London. Playing his own material and classic standards, he is known for his melodic inventiveness, warm sound and grooving swing. Alan Barnes said "Josh Kemp has a lovely round sound… really a player to watch... he will grow into a musician of great individuality”. Josh has released three CDs to wide acclaim – Kukus, Animation Suspended and Animus. With two further albums currently in production, Josh is set to bring both his own material and his distinctive approach to jazz standards to a wider audience. The Jazz Prophets showcases Josh’s original material, alongside classic standards delivered with driving swing and earthy bluesiness. In this band Josh shows his talent for inventive melody and fluid rhythms, always performing the material with feeling and conviction. Both bands feature award winning pianist and Ronnie Scott’s house-band regular Tim Lapthorn, with whom Josh has a long-standing collaboration. Whilst studying at the Guildhall and Trinity College of Music Josh won Ronnie Scott and Archer Scholarships. Since then Josh has remained in London performing widely across the capital and the UK. He has performed extensively as a solo artist, in jazz clubs, session and TV work, as a sideman, and with Big Bands. Josh has performed alongside many great jazz artists including Alan Barnes, Steve Waterman, Spike Robinson, Dick Pearce, Tim Garland, Jacqui Dankworth, Nick Weldon, Tim Lapthorn.

The Brass Funkeys

Rob Smith and Matt Letts - Trumpet
Dave Robinson - Tenor Sax
Tom Green and Vij Prakash - Trombone
Rob Slater - Sousaphone
Scott Jowett - Drums

The Brass Funkeys are a performing monkey troupe that escaped the New Orleans circus, hitchhiked east in a hot air balloon, landed in the atlantic and swam ashore in England; having raided the store room of a colliery band for pristeen trombones, trumpets and sousaphones they are now on the loose making the sounds of the music they so missed... funk, reggae, hiphop, thrashjazz and more.

Wired Quintet

Dom Haldane - Double Bass
Jonny 'Green Giant' Williams - Keys
Ed Macdonald - Drums
Jon Smith - Guitar
Tom McNeill - Vocals

"Watching Wired Quintet perform is a truly unique experience. Their song selection was completely on point with interesting arrangements pulled off with panache." Ed Bentsi, Clare May Ball Ents 2011

More balls than the Bad Plus, rowdier than Radiohead, tighter than Jamie Cullum's boot-straps, Wired Quintet will blow your mind. Their set-list is a collection of classic tunes and mashups re-imagined by Cambridge's most adventurous jazz quintet. Featuring the musical stylings of new and familiar faces, this fresh troupe will charm you onto the dancefloor and then shake the room for all its worth. A lot of talent, a lot of tunes and a lot of fun.

The Dixie Six

Trixie Jones - Clarinet
Red Huxley - Trumpet
Bubba McGuffin - Trombone
Johnny Stone - Guitar
Irish Pete - Bass
Billy Mitchell - Drums

From the swamps of Louisiana, we present the Dixie Six. Wanted for breach of the piece in fourteen states and illegal moonshine trade in a further three, they are currently in hiding from the law impersonating students at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom of England (where the Queen lives). Buy them enough beer and they may drop their guard and reveal their true American homeboy roots, although this might be a challenge since most of them grew up on Rye whiskey. Expect raucous Dixieland twostep, blues and New Orleans marches.

4th March

Click here to go to the Facebook event

Tiago Coimbra Quintet

Tiago Coimbra - Bass
Justin Dwyer - Guitar
Phill Marshall - Saxophones
Ric Byer - Drums
Makhou - Percussion

A Cambridge based band playing funky jazz tunes from Herbie Hanncock, Jaco Pastorius, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gilespie, George Benson and others as well as original material. The band is comprised of some of the best musicians from the east of England. On Drums we have multi-instrumentalist Ric Byer/Ric05, famous for his project with Gavin Harrison. Justin Dwyer on Guitar, another versatile musician who performs in various bands. Phill Marshall on Saxophones, a great performer and teacher of music. Tiago Coimbra on bass and special guest Makhou on percussion, from the great band Afro tema.

Ollie Perkins Trio

Lluis Mather - Tenor Saxophone, winner of a Yahama Jazz scholarship in 2011.
Tymek Juswiak - Drums, Winner of Budwar Fringe award at the Cheltenham Jazz festival in 2010
Ollie Perkins - Keys, Winner of Budwar Fringe award at the Cheltenham Jazz festival in 2009

Trunks are a trio made up of some of the finest players to come out of the Birmingham Conservatoire Jazz Course in recent years.

Mingusology

Mingusology is an exciting 8 piece band based in Cambridge, dedicated to playing the music of Charles Mingus, the explosive bass player, bandleader and composer who died in 1979. He was a challenging and innovative composer, who surrounded himself with great musicians and produced a large number of outstanding albums, mostly featuring his own distinctive tunes. Some, such as Goodbye Pork Pie hat, Better Git Hit in your Soul, Nostalgia in Times Square and Fables of Faubus, have become classics.

The band is directed by Martin Kemp, who has adapted Mingus' original arrangements for a front line of 5 horns. The formidable line-up includes tenor saxophonist Josh Kemp, a frequent visitor to Cambridge. The band's first appearance, which caused quite a stir, was at Jazz @ Johns, and gigs in London and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival have followed.

Players: Gavin Spence trumpet, Josh Kemp tenor sax Martin Kemp tenor sax/clarinet Derek Clenshaw trombone Julian Landymore baritone sax Peter Shepherd piano Laurence Evans bass Bert Schilperoort drums.

Mingus' music is heavily rooted in the blues, but he is capable of great lyricism. Mingusology aims to use his extraordinary mixture of loose arrangements, exciting harmonies, bizarre juxtapositions and collective improvisation, along with occasional shouts and howls.

18th Februrary

Click here to go to the Facebook event

David Preston Quartet for the End of Time featuring Gareth Lockrane.

Led by young London-based guitarist the ensemble features BBC Jazz and Parliamentary Award winner Gareth Lockrane on Flutes, and recent Mobo 2010 winners Empirical rhythm section Shane Forbes and Tom Farmer.
Drawing on their individual credentials and experience as active musicians on the UK and international circuit the group performs fierce original compositions and intense ballads featuring every band members' virtuosic abilities. The group recorded a soon to be released debut album in December and will tour in Autumn.

"Well worth catching live, they mix unrelenting grooves, intense polyrhythms and driving improv" - Time Out

The Hitchcock/Green Quintet

Alex Hitchcock - tenor sax
Tom Green - trombone
Liam Dunachie - keys
Misha Mullov-Abbado - bass
Scott Jowett - drums

The Hitchcock/Green Quintet makes up five of the most active and proficient jazz musicians of Cambridge. Tom and Liam direct the Cambridge University Jazz Orchestra, and both have places next year to study on the post-graduate jazz courses at Royal Academy and Guildhall respectively, after finishing their final year as students. Alex and Misha are also students and also play in the Jazz Orchestra. Scott graduated in 2010 and currently works in Cambridge while playing drums for as many hours of the day as he can fit in. Between them they have played together in many different places, ranging from small function gigs to large, high-profile events such as the London Jazz Festival, or abroad at jazz clubs and festivals all over Europe, including the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival. All five enjoy making as much music as possible throughout the year, and tonight will be playing a selection of well-known standards, some not-well-known standards, some heavily-edited songs, and a couple of originals.

28th January

Click here to go to the Facebook event

Alex Merritt Quartet

Micheal Chillingworth (alto sax)
Sam Lasserson (Bass)
Josh Morrison (Drums)
Alex Merritt (Tenor sax)

This band features a few of the rising stars on their respective instruments on the London jazz scene. They play an exciting intellectually and emotionally charged type of modern jazz informed by the music of Lennie Tristano, Warne Marsh as well as contemporary classical music.

Since leaving Birmingham conservatoire 2yrs ago Alex has been forging an identity for himself as a player/ composer on the young UK scene. He has recently been running a very well received band featuring US legend Jeff Williams (Stan Getz, Joe Lovano) and bass player also playing on friday Sam Lasserson (a band also featuring brilliantly talented Cambridge graduate John Turville on piano) a band that played a very memorable gig at john's last february.

This new band features a brilliant young alto player coming from a similar place to Alex, Micheal Chillingworth. Since graduated from guildhall Mike has been turning heads everywhere he plays with his musically intelligent, committed improvising there is a great chemistry when this band plays- helped by the fact that Micheal's long running trio also featured this fantastic rhythm section.
Sam Lasserson is on of the most in demand bass players on the UK scene today and brings a mesmerising control and maturity to any situation he is in. He regularly plays in Martin Speake's band amongst others.
Josh Morrison after spending time studying at Berklee in Boston has settled in London again and is very busy. His wonderfully sympathetic and informed playing is an asset to any band

Martin Hallamrk Trio

Ric Byers - drummer, from Montreal, Canada, regular on the Cambridge scene
Jon Halton - bass. Cambridge-based composer, arranger, teacher, plays
saxophone and piano in jazz and classical formats
Martin Hallmark - keyboards. Hertfordshire based jazz keyboard player and composer

Jazz trio featuring music by Chick Corea, Wayne
Shorter, Herbie Hancock, some original compositions and others

26th November

Click here to go to the Facebook event

CUJO

The Cambridge University Jazz Orchestra, CUJO, brings together the top jazz
musicians in the university. We have performed in numerous professional
venues in the UK and overseas on national and international tours, won gold
awards in UK-wide big band competitions and have collaborated with
world-famous musicians, composers and arrangers such as Steve Waterman,
Mark Nightingale, Issie Barratt and Mike Gibbs. Last year the band toured
to Rome in April and the prestigious Montreux jazz festival in July - this
is the first chance to catch the new band for 2010/11 live in Cambridge -
don't miss it!

www.cujo.org.uk

Mark Perry Sextet

Mark Perry - Trumpet
Alex Merritt - Sax
Alex Monk - Guitar
Dave Hamblett- Drums
Max Luthert- Bass
Sam Leak - Keys

The Mark Perry sextet was formed in 2009. It is lead by Mark Perry who was
awarded 2009 Yamaha Classic/FM Jazzwise Scholarship Award.

The Band Have Been Gigging all around London and every so often In
Cambridge, previous venues include The Globe, The 606, Spice Of Life,
Olivers, The North London Tavern, The Con Cellar ect. The band play a lot
of high energy groove based tunes Written By Mark with free formed blowing
exploring different harmonic and rhythmic tensions. The band are heavily
influences by the likes of Gary Thomas, John Coltrane, Mark Turner, Keith
Jarrett and Terrence Blanchard.

 

5th November

Click here to go to the Facebook event

Sam Evans Quartet

Sam lives in London and has just graduated from Trinity College of Music in Greenwich, London, studying jazz saxophone. Sam has studied with Martin Speake, Mark Lockheart, Julian Siegel and Simon Purcell. In his time at music college he has also been lucky enough to study with John Pattitucci, Rufus Reid, Billy Cobham, John Harle, Peter Erskine, Michael Garrick, Russel Van Den Berg, Steve Watts among others. Sam has been fortunate to have performed with Billy Cobham, Russel Van Den Berg, Martin Speake, Michael Garrick, Martin Hathaway, Steve Fishwick, Leon Greening, Simon Purcell, Julian Seigel and NYJO, among others.

 

Gwilym Bowen trio

[Details to follow]

22nd October

Click here to go to the Facebook event

The Hip Bones

Vij Prakash and Tom Green - Trombone
Nick Goodwin - Guitar
Liam Dunachie - Keys
Tiago Coimbra - Bass
Ric Byer - Drums

The Hip Bones are a six-piece group of jazz musicians playing a mix of funky-house, drum n bass, reggae and funk. Between them they have a vast experience of both the London and Cambridge Scenes playing at venue such as the London Jazz Cafe, The British Luxury Club, The 606, Kambar, The Hidden Rooms, La Raza and the Greenwich Jazz Festival.

 

The Jamie Brooks trio.

Jamie brooks (Piano)

Jamie has performed with many different jazz ensembles throughout cambridge and London. He recently performed with the Nottingham symphony orchestra playing Gershwin's Piano concerto.

Joel Rust (Bass)

Joel performers regularly around cambridge playing jazz, pop and rock. After a busy May week, joel has been resting and will be continuing his studies.

Scott Jowett (Drums)

Scott works as a freelance percussionist around Cambridge and London playing different genres of music; from Indian fusion to Jazz to Metal industrial. Scott will be working for another year before travelling.

30th March - PARTY Event

Click here to go to the Facebook event

Hip Bones

Vij Prakash and Tom Green - Trombone
Nick Goodwin - Guitar
Liam Dunachie - Keys
Tiago Coimbra - Bass
Ed Macdonald - Congas
Ric Byer - Drums

The Hip Bones are a seven-piece group of jazz musicians playing a mix of funky house, drum n bass, funk and reggae. Between them have a vast experience of both the London and Cambridge Scenes playing at venue such as the London Jazz Cafe, The British Luxury Club, The 606, Kambar, The Hidden Rooms, and Greenwich Jazz Festival.

Josh Ison Trio

Josh Ison - Tenor Sax
Olie Brice - Bass
Tony Marsh - Drums

Josh Ison is one of the most exciting saxophonists in this area and he brings with him two of London's finest free jazz musicians.

After graduating from Trinity College of Music, Josh Ison has toured with a variety of bands across Europe. He regularly plays in London jazz venues with his own and with other jazz bands. Josh has always had a love of free improvised music which he will be playing in this trio.

Olie Brice is now a mainstay on the London jazz scene and over the last few years has played with some of the best players around, such as Evan Parker, Paul Dunmall, Mark Sanders, Steve Noble and Alan Wilkinson.

Tony Marsh has been a force on the London jazz scene for over thirty years. He has toured with musicians such as Mike Osborne, John Surman, Evan Parker, Paul Rutherford and Barry Guy.
"Tony Marsh - one of the most compelling exponents of a mingled jazz and free time since the departure of Tony Oxley from these shores." (John Fordham)

George Crowley Trio

George Crowley - Tenor Sax
Josh Morrison - Drums
TBC - Bass

On of the country's most exciting young saxophone voices, George
Crowley moved to London in 2007 to take up a place on the jazz
postgraduate course at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music,
studying with Iain Ballamy, Martin Speake, Stan Sulzmann and James
Allsopp. Already turning heads on the London scene, George has
performed in venues such as Ronnie Scott's and the 606 Club, and has
played alongside musicians such as Stan Sulzmann, Kenny Wheeler, John
Taylor, Gwilym Simcock, Jim Hart, Dave Smith, Michael Janisch, Seb
Rochford, Kit Downes and many others. As well as performing as a
freelance saxophonist and clarinetist, George also leads his own
quartet and trio, performing his own compositions.

"George shows a highly engaging concept, strong group empathy, great
lyricism, dynamic range and maturity beyond his years." Gerard
Presencer

"Crowley's sure-footed extended lines were impressive" John Fordham, The
Guardian

Friday 12th March 2010 - *Party Event*

Facebook event

CUJO

The Cambridge University Jazz Orchestra (CUJO) is Cambridge's premier vehicle for promoting and performing jazz in the University and beyond.

CUJO brings together the top jazz musicians in the university. We have performed in numerous professional venues in the UK on national tours, won gold awards in UK-wide big band competitions and have collaborated with world-famous musicians, composers and arrangers such as Steve Waterman, Mark Nightingale, Issie Barratt and Mike Gibbs. The band regularly tours abroad - in April this year we are travelling to Rome, and in July will be appearing at the prestigious Montreux jazz festival.

The group is 20-strong and plays a wide variety of music, including arrangements performed by the leading big bands of today such as the Lincoln Center and Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestras. We do stay committed to our roots however - our pads feature the full repertory of standards, swing, and funk as well as a number of classic vocal charts.

Imperial College Big Band

The award-winning Imperial College Big Band is one of the most active musical societies at Imperial College, performing extensively throughout the academic year at a variety of venues, including top London jazz clubs and joint ventures with universities around the UK. Our constantly expanding repertoire includes arrangements made famous by the likes of Gordon Goodwin, Buddy Rich and Frank Sinatra. The big band’s very popular gigs form an integral part of the Union entertainment calendar, culminating in our performance at the prestigious Imperial College Summer Ball.

Jules Chou-Lambert Quartet

Jules Chou-Lambert – Vocals

Matt Fletcher – Keys

Misha Mullov-Abbado – Bass

Dave Burgoyne – Drums

The Jules Chou-Lambert Jazz Quartet have been playing together for three years and counting, and have played at Trinity, John’s, Magdelene, Peterhouse May Balls, the CNY Ball, and the Law Ball among others. All of them have been soloists in Cambridge’s top big bands. They will bring you a mix of jazz with twists of Funk, Latin, Soul, and Blues.

Andy Bowie Quartet

Andy Bowie (saxes), Pete Shepherd (piano), Joel Humann (bass), Ric Byer (drums).

The quartet has been playing regularly at the Cricketers (previously at the Elm Tree) for some years. We manage this by renewing our repertoire all the time, playing anything from Ellington to Wayne Shorter. Andy has run bands in Cambridge for a very long time and is Professor of Philosophy and German at Royal Holloway; Pete has been the most reliable jazz pianist on the local scene for a long time; Joel (a theologian) is from Canada and popped up on the local scene fairly recently, Ric is also Canadian and is active in all sorts of contemporary music, most famously with Gavin Harrison, as well as with any number of jazz formations.

Friday 5th February 2010

Alex Merritt/Kit Downes Quartet feat. Jeff Williams

Facebook event

Jeff Williams (drums):

Originally from Ohio, but currently dividing his time between New York and London- Jeff is something of a jazz legend. He has toured with Stan Getz, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano as well as being a frequent sideman for Dave Liebman and leading bands that have included the likes of John Scofield. Jeff plays with many of the top players in this country including Phil Robson, Martin Speake, Alex Bonney etc. and teaches at the Royal Academy of Music and Birmingham Conservatoire.

Kit Downes (keyboard):

Originally from Norwich but now resident of London, Kit has quickly become a very influential musician on the UK jazz scene. Having played just about everywhere with just about everyone Kit has destroyed the Uk jazz scene and he only graduated from the Royal Academy last year. He also has a very good album out with his trio called 'Golden'. A former member of Empirical and a current member of Troika, The Golden Age of Steam and the Stan Sulzmann quartet, Kit is the guy to hear.

Jonny Brierley (Bass):

Originally from Cambridge but now living in London Jonny, a graduate of the Guildhall is a very much in demand bass player. He is a member of Outhouse and regularly tours with this band and also plays with Alex Bonney's quartet of which Jeff is also a member.

Alex Merritt (sax):

A graduate of birmingham conservatoire, since leaving college last year Alex has been resident of Cambridge and has been leading many bands and writing lots of new music some of which you will be hearing tonight! Alex also runs the weekly Jazz at the Globe session on a thursday night.

Mitch Jones Trio

Mitch Jones, currently in his final year on the Trinity College of Music jazz course, has been making a name for himself, gigging with great musicians such as Stan Sulzmann and Nigel Hitchcock. He has also been touring with Dennis Rollins' Bad Bone Co. for the last two years.

Friday 27th November 2009 - Party Event!

Loose Juice

One of the finest funk outfits in Cambridge, Loose Juice, were formed at the start of 2004 during a poorly attended rehearsal of drummer Rick Hudson’s former band, “Rick Hudson and the Boogaloo Band.” Only Rick, bassist Tiago Coimbra and guitarist Justin Dwyer turned up so they thought “sod it let’s just have a jam.” During the session they started to realise that they’d stumbled on a damn good formular. Loose Juice was born and the Boogaloo Band folded shortly afterwards.

The Boogaloo Band had been a successful venture with the group playing several prestigious venues such as the 100 Club, The Jazz Café and Ronnie Scotts - as well as supporting the James Taylor Quartet. The band also released an album on Blow It Hard Records. However, by the end it was proving difficult to get the band together for rehearsals and gigs and Rick had had enough.

After the massive amount of effort that Rick had put into the Boogaloo Band, Loose Juice was an opportunity to simply enjoy playing the music without any pressure. The band have still had some notable successes, playing the Wardrobe in Leeds, the Ascot Club in Southampton and The Jazz Café in Camden.

2007 saw the band secure more gigs than in the previous 3 years put together and included a three day residency at the London Food Festival. 2008 was a year of transition for the band with the recrtuitment of new guitarist Phil Stevenson as they strived for a new, funkier, leaner sound. Key's player Tom O'Grady was also recruited, a batch of funky new tracks was penned and in December a new album was recorded which featured top jazz sax player Paul Booth. The new album, The Blue Barns Sessions, was recorded early in 2009 and the album is now available from www.jazzcds.co.uk.

There was another change in personnel in 2009 with the departure of guitarist Phil Stevenson to focus on other projects. He was replaced by jazz / funk guitar maestro Jem Watson who drummer Rick already plays with in a jazz trio.

Tom Millar Trio

Tom Millar - Keys, Ida Hollis - Bass, Nathan Butler - Drums

Tom graduated from King's, Cambridge in 2009 having studied Music and now lives in London. He has had his music performed at the Purcell Room, Barbican, RCA, Tate Modern and Symphony Hall Birmingham, and as a pianist has worked with Mike Gibbs, Issie Barratt, Tim Whitehead, Tony Woods and Harold Pinter among others.

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.

Nathan Butler studied drums at Trinity College of Music, and is currently touring with 2009 Mercury Prize winner Speech Debelle.

Liam Dunachie and Gwilym Bowen

Liam Dunachie is a pianist and composer from Shropshire, currently in his 2nd year studying music at Trinity College Cambridge where he is also a choral scholar. As a pianist, Liam has played around the country in a solo capacity and in various ensembles, being lucky enough to play with some distinguished names such as Julian Marc Stringle, NYJO, Roy Williams and Digby Fairweather whom he accompanied on a tour to Germany in 2008. Gaining distinction for his LTCL piano diploma while at school, he spent a gap year playing at some of London’s most illustrious venues including the Dorchester and Grosvenor hotels. Since arriving in Cambridge, Liam has been the pianist for the Fitzswing big band and is now playing piano for CUJO as well as undertaking extensive classical accompanying and repetiteuring for university operas and musicals.

Gwilym Bowen is another choral scholar and second year music student at Trinity College, Cambridge, coming from Hereford in the West Midlands. As a jazz pianist, he’s had the fortune to work with some bigger and smaller names, including playing with Asaf Sirkis, recording with Humphrey Lyttelton for the South Bank Show, and, in a less collaborative vein, playing for the Queen. He is also the MD for Fitz Swing, directing from the piano having played trombone in the band last year, and can be found playing both in various big bands or smaller groups around Cambridge. Having done a small amount of repetiteuring for operatic rehearsals last year, Gwilym is now on the other side of the piano, singing the role of Pelleas in CUOS’s main show of Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande in February.

Friday 13th November 2009

John Randall Quintet

Tom Challenger - tenor sax, Simon King - guitar, George Fogel - keyboards, John Calvert - bass, John Randall - drums

John Randall is a multi-award winning drummer and composer with a band that features some of the most exciting and talented young musicians on the UK jazz scene. His uncompromising compositional approach challenges – and at times completely ignores – the perceived boundaries between different musical genres and traditions and is rapidly building him a reputation as one of the UK’s most innovative young musicians.

Winner of this year’s prestigious Peter Whittingham Jazz Award, Randall writes music of dramatic emotional contrasts, where a sub-bass rock out can resolve beautifully into a rubato ballad and complex ideas are made to sound melodic and memorable. As Chris Parker of The Vortex wrote, “they don’t so much move easily between as totally disregard as irrelevant genres such as jazz/rock, hip hop and abstract electronic music; Randall simply has all these types of music in his emotional palette and uses them as required by the demands of his varied and intelligent writing.” This openness has led to his music finding fans from a wide range of different backgrounds, with high profile admirers ranging from jazz bassist Dave Holland to the dance producers Underworld (who recently remixed tracks from ‘Insomnia’ for use on their radio show).

Spare Bed Trio

The Spare Bed Trio was formed in the Summer of 2009: a group which works both as a standalone vibes trio and as a rhythm section that aims to fill its 'spare bed' with as many different guest soloists as possible.

The Trio have already played to packed bars at Catz and the ADC and are looking forward to an upcoming slot at Clare Cellars and more ADC bar nights.

Freddie is a much sought-after jazz and classical pianist in Cambridge and elsewhere, and is currently band leader of Selwyn Jazz. Joel is an award-winning composer and talented multi-instrumentalist, and is the bass player for Selwyn Jazz and various other small jazz groups. Jon was principal percussionist of CUCO last year and is proud to own the most colourful vibraphone in Cambridge.

Friday 30th October 2009

Mark Perry Quintet

Mark Perry – Trumpet, Josh Ison – Tenor Sax, Tom Farmer – Bass, Sam Leake – Piano, James Maddren – Drums

Mark Perry is a 22 year old London based Trumpet player and has just finished his studies at Trinity College of Music. Since studying at Trinity Mark has won the Gladys Puttick Competition for free improvisation and has toured with various bands to New York, Spain, Japan, and more recently has played in Vienna jazz festival and Brecon jazz festival where he recorded 3 tracks for BBC Radio Wales. Mark has most recently won the Yamaha Classic fm jazzwise scholarship award and will be featured in the 2009 december edition of Jazzwise magazine and a recording of Marks composition “Meteors” recorded with the Mark Perry Quintet will be included. Mark composes his own music for the group he performs with his group the Mark Perry Quintet and has recently become an in-demand trumpet player on the London jazz scene.

After graduating from Trinity College of Music Josh Ison has toured with a variety of bands across Europe. He regularly plays in London jazz venues with his own and with other jazz bands.

Tom Farmer is one of the best young bass players in the country, most renowned for his work with the award winning band Empirical. He is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and has played all over the world at festivals and venues including Newport Rhode Island Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, Bimhuis (Amsterdam) and North Sea Jazz Festival. Tom has also supported such renowned artists as John Scofield, Joshua Redman and Kurt Rosenwinkel.

Sam Leak is a London based Jazz Pianist and a recent graduate of the Royal Academy of Music. His performance credits include headlining the St Pancras Hall at the Kings Place Festival 2009 with Stan Sulzmann, performing with US Electric Bass virtuoso Janek Gwizdala, playing a duet with John Taylor as part of Sulzmann's birthday Big Band Concert and supporting Benny Golson at Ronnie Scotts.

James Maddren has recently graduated from Royal Academy of Music in London studying jazz percussion. He has played with Marc Copland/Stan Sulzmann quartet, Phil Donkin, Gwilym Simcock, Kit Downes Trio, Martin Speake quartet, Phronesis, Jonathan Bratoeff quartet, Tangent, Andrea Vicari quintet, Quentin Collins, Claire Martin and many other musicians and bands across London and the U.K.

Sarah Tandy Trio

Sarah Tandy – Piano, Tiago Coimbra – Bass, Ric Hudson – Drum

A recent stalwart of the Cambridge jazz scene, Sarah has just taken up a place on the jazz course at the Royal Academy of Music. She returns to Jazz at Johns with some of Cambridge’s finest musicians to play a set of bop standards as well as some original compositions

Friday 1st May 2009

Shane Forbes, David Preston, Hammadi Valdes & Tom Farmer Project

Playing original material ranging from intense relentless grooves, intricate time-signatures, rubato ballads and hendrix-esque style meltdowns, the group is versatile in a wide range of genres drawing on all of them to form an original sound based on extended improvisation, rhythmic-energy and accessible, melodic compositions that belie their complexity.

Featuring drummer Shane Forbes of the award-winning group Empirical, guitarist David Preston, who has worked with Martin Taylor, Ian Shaw, beat-box virtuoso Shlomo, and Cuban-born percussion virtuoso, Hammadi Valdes who has played with Cuban legends Chucho Valdes and Irakere. The line up is completed by Empirical bassist Tom Farmer who has been described by the Times as having "ebullience and drive".

‘a group to watch for ‘09’ – Jazz Wise

‘they absolutely delighted an intent audience with their infectious enthusiasm for their music and their clear enjoyment of each other’s playing’ – Chris Parker

Funk 'n' Disorderly

Funk 'n' disorderly are a quintet made up of players from the London and Cambridge scenes who between them have performed at venue such as the London Jazz Cafe, Ronnie Scott's, the Cheltenham Jazz Festival and the Royal Albert Hall. The band features pianist Mitch Jones, currently of Dennis Rollins’ BadBone, drummer Dave Elliott, holder of a Percussive arts Society International Scholarship, up and coming bassist Loz Garrett, ex-CUJO leader Tom Smith on saxophone, and trombonist Vij Prakash.

Friday 6th March 2009 - !Party Event! £5

Cambridge University Jazz Orchestra

CUJO is Cambridge's premier big band, formed from the very best players that the University has to offer. Their repertoire spans the gamut of jazz music, from early Miles Davis arrangements to more modern charts by such as Pat Metheney and Gordon Goodwin, with a popular sideline in some serious funk. CUJO has recently been awarded a gold award in the national final of this year's National Big Band Festival competition.

Andy Bowie Quartet

The Andy Bowie Quartet play straight ahead, sax-led modern jazz, keeping their repertoire fresh by playing rarely played tunes as well as standards. They've got a few tracks on myspace.com/andybowiequartet for you to peruse.

Geoff Sheil Quartett

Geoff Sheil - Guitar

Matt Fletcher - Trumpet

Matt Wincott - Bass

James Clegg - Drums

The quartet was formed in 2008 when Geoff got back from a year abroad studying jazz composition in Boston. Eager to start playing some small band jazz in Cambridge, he started collaborating with 2nd year music student Matt Fletcher. The rhythm section takes the very heart of the Fitz Swing band, comprising drummer James Clegg and bassist Matt Wincott (both 4th year physicists), and transplants it into the freer setting of a small band. The repertoire features standards reinterpreted for the somewhat unusual combination of guitar and trumpet.

Friday 13th February 2009

Geroge Crowley Trio

George Crowley - saxophone

James Opstad - double bass

Dave Hamblett - drums

George Crowley is a current masters student at the Royal Academy of Music, studying saxophone with Iain Ballamy, Stan Sulzmann, Martin Speake and James Allsop. George has performed in venues such as Ronnie Scott's and the 606 Club, and has played alongside musicians such as Stan Sulzmann, John Taylor, Gwilym Simcock, Jim Hart, Dave Smith, Kit Downes and many others. As well as performing as a freelance saxophonist and clarinetist, George also leads his own quartet and trio, performing his own compositions.

James Opstad is a current student at the Royal Academy of Music, and is increasingly becoming one of the most in-demand young players on the London jazz scene. With his rich sound, supple time-feel and inventive melodic imagination, James continues to turn the heads of all who hear him. Amongst hundreds of others, James has performed recently with Kenny Wheeler, Stan Sulzmann, Liam Noble and Mark Lockheart.

Originally from Derby, Dave Hamblett moved to London in 2006 to study at the Royal Academy of Music. Since being in London he's performed with musicians such as Stan Sulzmann, Joe Locke, Steve Wilson, Toni Kofi, Alex Wilson and Alan Barns. He has played at some of London's leading venues including The Vortex, 606 club and Pizza Express Dean St. Recently he's been performing with The Sam Leak Trio and is also involved in projects with Dave Preston and Calum Gourlay .

Joel Robinson Quartet

Friday 23rd January 2008

Troyka

Troyka formed in 2007 as part of a commission for the Derby Jazz Festival. Since then it has played at Coventry Jazz Festival, The Vortex, Birmingham Jazz Festival and at the Timeout 'On the Up' Showcase. In 2008 they were selected by Jazzwise Magazine as 'Ones to Watch 2009' and they have recently recorded an album, set for relase in summer 2009. It features Kit Downes (Organ). Chris Montague (Guitars) and Josh Blackmore (Drums).For this gig Josh Blackmore is unavailable and will replaced by the incredible Seb Rochford on drums.

Polly Watkin Quartet

Friday 28th November 2008 - !Party Event!

Big Trains Haymaker

The Hip Bones

Paul Stubbs Quartet

Friday 7th November 2008

Lewis Wright Quartet

The Lewis Wright Quartet was formed in the autumn of 2001 and combines the talents of Simon Brown (Keyboards) Andy Doyle (Bass Guitar / Double Bass), Will Clark (Drums) and Lewis Wright (Vibraphone).

Lewis Wright Lewis is vibraphonist and drummer living in London, studying Jazz at Trinity College of Music. As well as playing with the quartet, he has recorded on 7 CDs altogether, the first full album Lewis recorded on was for Bassist/Vocalist Ruth Bowen in July 2000. He has collaborated on several CD s, working with the funk band Speedometer (who he also played with at the Jazz Cafe, London), and as part of a live concert recording featuring Henry Lowther, Pat White & pianist Keith Tippett. He recorded a solo CD at age 13 and a live two-hour concert (DVD) with the quartet in January 2004 (Age 15). More recently he has done sessions for ex-Lighthouse Family singer Tunde and American vocalist Catherine Feeny. They have played at venues such as The Boxford Fleece Jazz Club in Suffolk, The Sands Jazz Club in Lincolnshire, the Wigan Jazz Festival, Peterborough Jazz Club, The Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer, and Pizza on the Park in London and have an ongoing gig schedule. Lewis has worked with such musicians as Bill le Sage, Lennie Bush, Jack Parnell, Marc Parnell, Mike Capocci, Peter King, Kate Williams, Alan Skidmore, Roger Beaujolais.

Simon Brown Since graduating from UEA in 1990, Simon has worked as a performer, teacher of piano, and music arranger and regularly appears at the most popular jazz clubs in the East Anglia region. His involvement in Blues, Jazz and Jazz-Funk combos have led to appearances at the Soho, Parsons Green and Cheltenham jazz festivals, and over the years has shared the billing with the likes of Jools Holland, The James Taylor Quartet, Stacey Kent and Bobby Wellins.

Andy Doyle After playing bass guitar in the Norwich funk band, The Persuaders, he studied bass with double bass guru Jeff Cline in London. He is in great demand playing with the likes of Jim Mullen, Don Weller, Alan Barnes and Martin Speake and other UK jazz artists, on stage and in the recording studio.

Will Clark Since leaving school Will has been working as a pro drummer / percussionist and is at present resident in London. He graduated from City University (with tutoring from the likes of Trevor Tomkins) where he completed a 3-year music technology degree. He has been playing with Simon for several years and has worked with a vast array of the UK Jazz scene's talent.

Phoebe Haynes

Originally a saxophonist, Phoebe developed a love for jazz at an early age. She began her nascent jazz career fronting The Brighton and Hove Big Band, and at the age of seventeen was invited to perform at The Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland. That year she moved to London and has since been singing with The National Youth Jazz Orchestra, under the leadership of Bill Ashton MBE. Phoebe plays mainly on the London scene, both with NYJO and with her own quartet. Her favourite clubs are The Vortex and the 606, and upcoming gigs include Charlie Wright's on December 17th.

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.