Jazz Festival artist profiles
Saturday 26 July
Walpole Park
Main stage:
Gary Crosby and Tomorrow’s Warriors: 2pm-3.15pm
Mark Crown - trumpet
Zem Audo - tenor sax
Peter Edwards - piano
Gary Crosby - bass
Andrew Chapman – drums
Zara McFarlane - vocals
A brand new edition of the critically acclaimed Tomorrow’s Warriors brings a fresh take on modern acoustic jazz whilst still maintaining a strong sense of the jazz tradition. As with previous Warriors ensembles they come with an utterly refreshing dose of hip and contemporary, and swing hard. This sixth edition features some of the brightest and most stunning young jazz musicians in the country, with many already tipped by the critics to be major stars of the future. The award-winning double bassist, Gary Crosby - founder of Tomorrow’s Warriors, and recent recipient of the BBC Jazz Award for Services To Jazz - leads today’s performance.
Winston Morson’s Off The Cuff: 3.45pm-5pm
Martin Shaw - trumpet
Winston Rollins - trombone
Mornington Lockett - tenor sax
Winston Morson - guitar
Pete Hammond - piano
Rob Statham - bass guitar
Mike Bradley - drums
Chris Fletcher - percussion
A perennial Festival favourite, Off The Cuff is undoubtedly one of our finest jazz/fusion bands with an impressive array of highly talented jazz soloists. Taking its lead from the fluent and expressive guitar playing of Winston Morson, the band is back with an exciting yet tasteful programme of contemporary sounds inspired by a strong Latin/funk groove.
Claire Davies Quintet: 5.30pm-6.45pm
Claire Davies - voice
Dave O’Higgins - tenor sax
John Horler - piano
Chris Laurence - bass
Bobby Worth - drums
Ealing's Claire Davies and her musicians never fail to delight their audiences with performances that celebrate the creative spirit of jazz. Influenced by melodies, harmonies and rhythms from many global cultures as well as from great jazz instrumentalists and singers, Claire brings her vocal warmth, musical interpretation and love of this special art form to the colourful sounds of jazz performed by her world-class musicians. Not only a fine singer but also a highly talented artist, her larger-than-life painting of legendary trumpeter Tommy McQuater will be displayed centre- stage throughout the Festival as part of Ealing's tribute to the Grand Old Man of British Jazz.
Vasilis Xenopoulos Quintet: 7.15pm-8.30pm
Vasilis Xenopoulos - tenor sax
Adrian Fry - trombone
Nigel Price - guitar
Sam Gambarini - Hammond organ
Chris Nickolls - drums
The Vasilis Xenopoulos Quintet are one of the most in-demand young bands in the London area with regular appearances in many prime venues. They are a dynamic quintet inspired by legendary American combos of the late 50s/early 60s. With a great selection of Blue Note classics and originals composed exclusively for the Festival, miss them at your peril!
Ray Gelato Giants: 9.15pm-10.30pm
Danny Marsden - trumpet
Andy Rogers - trombone
Ray Gelato - vocals, tenor sax
Alex Garnett - tenor sax
Gunter Kurmayer - piano
Michael Janisch - bass
Matt Home - drums
With the return of Ray Gelato and his highly versatile musicians, the scene is set for a sensational night of jazz, swing, rhythm 'n' blues and more! Award-winning vocalist and tenor saxophonist Ray has his own inimitable style and has taken his dynamic seven piece band to perform at some of the finest festivals, concerts and clubs in the world. But, as a globe-trotting Ealing man, he will proudly tell you that playing on his home turf is something very special for him. So, after the deluge in 2006 which all but wrecked the tent thereby cancelling the band`s keenly-awaited performance and last July's Italian tour during the 2007 Festival, it's a huge welcome back to the Ray Gelato Giants. Get ready for a Saturday Night Party packed with unforgettable entertainment by the best band in the land for swinging good-time jazz!
Crypt stage:
Mehr Clef Juniors: 2pm-3.15 pm
Based in Roehampton, Mehr Clef organises Jazz courses, Masterclasses, Workshops, Tuition and Live Jazz Events. Everyone involved in the company is an experienced musician/performer and teacher and has, first and foremost, students’ and musicians' interests at heart. Appearing here are the incredibly talented 10 piece junior band.
Bob Peachey And Gabriel Keen: 3.45pm-4.15pm
Amazing free improvisations from this very dynamic and technically assured duo. Bob Peachy takes on the saxophone, while Gabriel Keen is on the piano.
Jam Session led by George Arnold: 4.30pm - 5.45pm
Musicians invited to this party-style jam session led by west London pianist George Arnold. But watch out! - George can romp through an entire real book in under an hour!
Larry Bartley Quartet: 7.15pm-8.30pm
Great music from one of the UK's best contemporary bass players. Adam Bishop soprano and tenor saxes; Seb Pipe, alto sax; Larry Bartley bass, Tom Skinner drums
Zum: 9pm-10.15pm
A truly fabulous band, Zum present a musical fusion, taking inspiration from the Eastern European fiddle tradition and the Argentinian tango. Their music is open to a host of influences such as bebop and bluegrass, and combined with their own work, among others, they play the music of the Argentinian master of modern tango, Astor Piazolla. The outcome is fiery, passionate and intriguingly beautiful.
Adam Summerhayes - Violin
Chris Grist - Cello
Jani Pensola - Bass
David Gordon - Piano
Eddie Hession - Accordion