The Steve Buckley Trio is an exciting group of international jazzmen, playing well-known standards.

Steve is a talented saxophonist who has played in many groups including Loose Tubes and Django Bates’ Human Chain.

Steve Buckley - saxophone    
Pete Kubryk-Townsend - bass    
Jonathan Joseph - drums

Chris Eldred Trio performed at the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition in 2008, Their mix of original compositions and their own arrangements of standards provided a fresh approach to the traditional piano trio.

Having recently played with the likes of Mornington Lockett and Jean Toussaint this is a chance to hear a great up and coming London trio. Previous appearances include the Glastonbury Festival, BBC Proms in the Park, Labour Party Conference, Oliver's Jazz Club Greenwich, Barbican centre, London.

Chris currently holds the NYJO piano chair and is seen by Jazz staff at TCM as 'a unique talent'. The trio are all currently studying at Trinity College of Music and formed the trio in 1997.

Chris Eldred - piano    Loz Garratt - bass    Dave Elliott - drums

Kevin Figes is beginning to attract national attention with the release of his CD Circular Motion and his current Jazz Services tour to promote the same.

" [Figes] has an inclination to hard, rhythmical swing, and a contrasting gift for composing memorable, sensitive tunes. It's this combination of rich writing with an outstanding band that gives Figes's solo LP such distinction "
The Independent.

An admirer of saxophonists Chris Potter and Wayne Shorter, whose Lester Left Town features on the album, Kevin also cites Kenny Wheeler and Dave Holland as influences on his writing. Like these four, Kevin’s music has a lightness of touch that belies the subtleties and complexities that lurk within.

“I do like stuff that isn’t too impenetrable but has substance to its harmonies and rhythms. That’s what hits the spot with me. Circular Motion represents different aspects of my background, whether its playing freer things with Keith Tippett or the funk side of my playing and of the Bristol scene or my love of playing changes. I wrote this album with all that in mind.” Circular Motion succeeds in covering those bases but does it through one man’s vision of his music. It’s a highly personal record but also a group performance, for Kevin’s been playing with pianist Jim Broomfield and Riaan Vosloo for several years.
Circular Motion flows like its title suggests. Lyrical, melodic music with a strong rhythmic sense fired by a shared love of Jazz. Knowing where you’re going means knowing where you’ve been.

Kevin Figes - alto sax    Jim Blomfield - piano    Riaan Vosloo - bass    Daisy Palmer - drums
www.myspace.com/kevinfiges

Tom Hewson reached the finals of the National Jazz piano Competition in 2008 and all band members are currently studying at trinity. This piano led trio will be performing original material composed by Tom with some standards played in a contemporary style, drawing inspiration from Keith Jarrett and John Taylor.

Tom has been playing piano since the age of seven, and has trained classically throughout his life. He was awarded the titles of Kent Junior Young Pianist of the Year in 1996 and Kent Young Pianist of the Year in 2001 for his classical playing, and was awarded an Instrumental Scholarship to study Music at New College, Oxford University in 2003. Whilst at Oxford he played regularly as a classical pianist (including solo recitals, chamber music and as a vocal accompanist) whilst also playing in and then directing the Oxford University Jazz Orchestra for over a year. Tom has played at some of London's top venues including the Purcell Room and the 606 Club.

"Tom Hewson stood out for his rapt, meditative extrapolation of Debussy's soundworld" Rob Witts, Classicalsource ('In the Moment' Improvisation festival Feat. Uri Caine)
"...a flowing performance...fine appreciation of light and shade. He imbues his playing with great feeling." LeftLion (Nottingham Culture Magazine)

Mick Hutton is one of the finest bass players the UK has ever produced. He emerged on to the scene alongside talents such as Iain Ballamy & Django Bates, and all three were recruited by drummer Bill Bruford to form the band Earthworks. Mick's CV is incredible, and includes working with John Scofield, Peter Erskine, John Taylor, Stan Tracey & Kenny Wheeler.

Due to a hand injury he has now switched from double to electric bass, and has formed this dynamic new group with Andy Panayi - saxes, Barry Green - piano & Paul Robinson - drums.

Andy Panayi is one of the UK's most in demand jazz & session reeds players, appearing at many festivals with the likes of Alan Barnes and Mark Nightingale, and has recorded with Shirley Bassey, Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello and many more.
Barry Green is a rising star of the London scene, and brought his own quartet to the club in January.
Paul Robinson has an amazing CV including nineteen years with Nina Simone and gigs with Van Morrison, Rod Stewart, Elton John, The Pet Shop Boys and loads more.
This really is an outstanding array of talent, so don't miss it. For a preview of their music go to www.myspace.com/mickhutton

Tony Marshall has worked with Scott Hamilton, Warren Vache, Art Themen, Alan Barnes,Roy Williams, Ray Ellington and many more. From mainstream to bebop, he is influenced by the 7 string guitar stylings of george van Eps, Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden and Ron Eschete.

Tony Marshall - 7 string guitar
Mike Thorne - bass
Quinny Lawrence - drums

The Village Band will be performing a special performance of their new Jazz Cabaret "English Soup or The Battle of The Classic Trifle" (lyrics by Kate Westbrook, music by Mike Westbrook). Plus more Westbrook originals, and arrangements of Jazz Classics by Morton, Ellington, Monk, Mingus and many more.

"A fine Westbrook entertainment. Fabulous playing from this group of West Country musicians” Jazzwise

Mike Westbrook has led and composed for a succession of big bands and small groups since the 1960s. His current sextet, The Village Band, based in the South West, made its debut in early 2006 and has appeared in a number of West Country Festivals, arts centres and jazz clubs. The band was featured at the London Jazz Festival with several performances including a 'live' broadcast of The Waxeywork Show from the Pizza Express Jazz Club on BBC's Jazz on 3. From 2007, while maintaining its South Devon base, the Village Band has begun to tour more widely in the UK with performances in Durham, Leeds, Cambridge and Liverpool. The Band also recorded its first album Waxeywork Show , for the jazzprint label.

Mike Brewer - trumpet    Kate Westbrook - tenor horn/vocals    Sam Smith - trombone    
Mike Westbrook - euphonium    Stan Willis - alto saxophone    Gary Bayley - tenor saxophone
www.westbrookjazz.co.uk