Ruth Hammond – piano, vocals, tenor saxophone
Valère Speranza – double bass
James Forster – guitar

Ruth Hammond has a warm and engaging vocal style, whether she is making her mark on a standard from the classic jazz repertoire or singing more contemporary songs. An accomplished instrumentalist, after leaving college, Ruth was placed second in the national competition “Young Jazz Player of the Year 1998” and played a weeklong residency at Ronnie Scott’s in London. She has been a member of The National Youth Jazz Orchestra and has appeared on the BBC’s “Later – with Jools Holland” and on Radio 4’s “Woman’s Hour” as a representative of up and coming female musicians. She is joined by double bassist Valère Speranza and guitarist James Forster. Valere recently moved from his native France to England and has studied with Enrico Fazio, one of Italy’s finest jazz bassists. Valère cites Ray Brown and Christian McBride as his greatest influences. James is very active on the UK blues scene with his band "The Forster King Band". He has studied with guitarist Mike Walker and is inspired by the likes of Wes Montgomery, Grant Green and John Scofield.