Jonny Bruce & Michel Padron (Trumpets), Martin Kern (Saxes), Jim Blomfield (Piano),
'Tosh' Wijetunge (Bass), Jon Clarke (Drums), Tammy Payne (Congas & Percussion)

Plus sitting-in during the evening; Sol Ahmed (Baby Bass), Jackson Lapes (Congas), Myke Vince (Percussion) & Luisa Santiago (Vocals)

In Memory of Jason Gaines (pictured middle of back row)
A highly respected musician, Jason was a brilliant drummer, percussionist and conguero who passed suddenly and unexpectedly on 25th June and who would have been part of this very performance.
Now with an expanded lineup, the show will feature Latin jazz, Afro-Cuban and Salsa repertoire from a variety of ensembles that Jase was involved with - music that he always threw himself into with an infectious wholehearted energy and enthusiasm.

The music will pay homage to the spirit of this remarkable and dearly loved friend who will be hugely missed by all who knew him.
A percentage of ticket sales will go to support the continuation of workshops, rehearsals and performances by the 'Bristol Afro-Cuban Collective', a Bristol based drumming and singing group that was founded by Jason to teach others the dynamic and spiritual music from Cuban folkloric traditions that he had immersed himself in for over 30 years and during many trips to Cuba.

The Latin Jazz scene in Bristol has really blossomed over the last 10 years and now we have a new grouping, attempting to take the sound in a more expansive direction.

Back in the 90s, Bristol had small pockets of Latin music going on with bands such as Contos Sul, The Bristol School of Samba and later K'Chevere. More recently with some Latino musicians moving to Bristol, specialist workshops for Latin music and the upsurge of people learning Latin Dance in classes; new bands have emerged; Dockside Latin Orchestra, Bristol Salsa Orchestra, Michel Padron & Jim Blomfield Quintet and the same pair forming the Buena Bristol Social Club.

Jazz pianist Jim Blomfield is recognised as leading Latin player, his recent performance with Kevin Figes new sextet 'You Are Here' was nothing short of superlative. Jim's work in Latin outfits has allowed him to develop a distinctive Afro-Cuban style; and he's now formed this newly evolved sextet, emerging from those larger bands.

The Saoco Collective is aiming to build on the work already established and free up the potential of this sound. With a core rhythm section setting the tempo, the band is fronted by the fiery Jonny Bruce on Trumpet and new Bristol resident Martin Kern whose rapidly getting a name for himself as a star Saxophonist. This should be a cracking gig!!!

Andy Sheppard (Saxes), John Parricelli (Guitar), Dudley Phillips (Bass),
Nick France (Drums)

This relatively new project for Andy Sheppard; 'East Coast'; is led by the saxophonist, inviting three of the most innovative instrumentalists at work today on the UK's jazz scene....all long-time friends and collaborators.

The music explores new ground for Sheppard's melodic inventiveness, anchored in inspirational coastal landscapes and sounds, much of this new music for East Coast was written by Sheppard during the pandemic; on the coast of Europe, near Ericeira in Portugal, where he now lives.

It was perfectly fitting that its UK premiere was at the First Light Festival in Lowestoft, celebrating one cycle of the midsummer sun; setting and rising over the beach in England's most easterly town. It was then reprised for the Cork Jazz Festival in Ireland.

Innovative but lyrical, sometimes ethereal but always ready to groove, grounded in tradition but free from boundaries, where the contrasts between all the different elements converge in an ongoing moment in time. A group of four distinctive musicians seeking to connect through the synergy of diverse musical languages infused with a greater sense of openness in the making.

East Coast is somewhat different, Sheppard says, to his more contemplative ECM groups. "It's a kind of kicking band!".. "It's far more 'get stuck in', play some tunes, and blow the s*** out of it',".....Sounds like the kind of high energy band Bristolians remember Andy for, back in the day.

Claire Martin (Vocals), Martin Sjöstedt (Piano & Keys), Niklas Fernqvist (Bass),
Daniel Fredricksson (Drums)

Claire Martin OBE; has to worldwide critical acclaim, established herself as the pre-eminent Jazz vocalist on the UK jazz scene gaining many awards, including winning the British Jazz Awards eight times during her career which spans over three decades.
Claire appears as a featured soloist with the Halle Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the RTE Concert Orchestra, the Royal Northern Sinfonia, the BBC Big Band and the BBC Concert Orchestra. Claire co-presented BBC Radio 3's flagship jazz program 'Jazz Line Up' from 2000 to 2017.

Claire is touring Europe in 2024 as she reunites with her accomplished Swedish trio, led by the exceptional pianist and arranger Martin Sjöstedt, for their latest collaborative endeavour - 'Almost in Your Arms' (Stunt Records).

Sjöstedt, one of Sweden's most gifted and talked about jazz musicians, has created imaginative new arrangements of contemporary material exclusively for this exciting project.

Chris While (Vocals, Guitar, Banjo, Dulcimer, Bodhran & Percussion),
Julie Matthews (Vocals, Piano & Keys, Guitar, Mandolin & Bouzouki)

Chris & Julie have played more than 3,000 gigs, appeared on over 100 albums, written hundreds of original songs and reached millions of people around the world. Now, 30 years after their debut, they sound as fresh and vital as ever.

They are two of the best and most hard working musicians on the world & folk roots scene, both are highly regarded producers and they record everything that they are involved in at their own studio in a small Pennine town far from the London-centric music industry....They truly are inspirational women.

The duo are renowned for their seamless harmonies and affinity for each other on stage, they are stunning singers, songwriters, musicians and performers whose energy and commitment to their craft and their audience is boundless. Chris and Julie have been nominated ten times in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in the 'Best Song, Best Duo & Best Live Act' categories, winning Best Duo in 2009; but it is their longstanding and devoted growing fans that they care most about.

Though internationally acclaimed, they continue to be a leading force on the UK's acoustic/roots arts circuit. Their songs cover life as they see it, from injustice and freedom to matters of the heart and everything in between. Their songs are covered by many singers the world over but it is 'While & Matthews' musical partnership and obvious joy of performing together that really brings their songs to life. As performers they are unrivalled and their audiences leave their concerts having travelled an emotional journey, entertained and smiling all the way home!

Denys Baptiste (Saxes), Ed Jones (Saxes), Jonathan Gee (Piano),Mikele Montolli (Bass),
Tristan Mailliot (Drums)

Four of the five musicians in this specially put together band for the 40th Anniversary, have been some of the most booked London based musicians Jazzata has worked with over the years. These guys were at the start of their development in the 90s; and we were more than happy to play a part in their progression.

Denys Baptiste starred as an up and coming saxophonist with Gary Crosby's 'Nu Troop' & Tomorrow's Warriors, playing four times in the mid to late 90s.
Breaking into his solo career he won a Mercury Prize; Album of the Year 1999, quickly followed by a British Jazz Award as Rising Star in 2000, and a MOBO for Best Jazz Act. Five more albums followed and recording work with the likes of Courtney Pine, McCoy Tyner, Julian Joseph, Lonnie Plaxico, Billy Higgins, Incognito & Jazz Jamaica

Ed Jones was a near ever present at 'The Albert' in Bristol, with the bands of Dick Heckstall-Smith, John Stevens, Bryan Spring and his own scintillating outfits with pianist Geoff Williams and trumpeter Damon Brown.
Ed is known for his blistering saxophone sound and never fails to blow up a storm; the nights with Finnish trumpeter Mika Mylarri were legend.

Also a major 'Albert' alumni; Jonathan Gee has become known as one of the most lyrical and inventive pianists the UK has ever produced. His own various trios were always received well in Bristol and his reputation led to work with David Murray's 'UK Posse' and with the great US saxophonist Pharoah Sanders.
Hearing him on piano is always a pleasure and tonight we will; with his latest trio, operating as rhythm section; Tristan Mailliot on drums (with Tina May, Andrea Vicari at The Albert) and the newbie of the band, Italian bass player >b>Mikele Montolli (Sun Ra Arkestra, Jay Phelps).

Mark Lockheart (Saxes), Huw Warren (Piano & Keys), Dudley Phillips (Bass),
Martin France (Drums)

The Perfect Houseplants originally formed in 1992, featured four of the most distinctive jazz musicians and composers in Britain, they rapidly achieved a reputation as one of the most innovative and challenging jazz groups to emerge in the 1990s.

Houseplants recorded six albums from 1993-2000 including collaborations with the Orlando Consort, Pamela Thorby and Andrew Manze.
The group's unique and colourful compositions and musical interactions established them as an adventurous but accessible group on the cutting edge of European music.

They regularly performed at The Albert in Bristol and Jazzata is delighted to host them again in this anniversary year, with the original line-up.