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, District Six & John Stevens 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 Mikele Montolli (Sun Ra Arkestra, Jay Phelps).

Mark Lockheart (Saxes), Huw Warren (Piano & Keys), Dudley Phillips (Bass),
Tim Giles (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.

Dave Ford, Jonny Bruce, Nick Malcolm & Andy Hague Trumpets:
Vince Ford, Raph Clarkson, Nick Attwood & Justin Pavey Trombones:
Luke Annesley & Keith Morgan Alto Saxes:
Ben Waghorn & Ruth Hammond Tenor Saxes:
Kevin Figes Baritone Sax:
Jim Blomfield Piano:
Riaan Vosloo Bass:
Mark Whitlam Drums.

Featuring some of the finest musicians who work and live in our city, this 16-piece Jazz orchestra is led by Bristol trumpet legend Andy Hague. Experience a band featuring the highest quality soloists around; with the fiery Johnny Bruce on trumpet. Those that were at the Saoco Collective gig in August will know just how impressive his range and technique really is. He co-leads his own large outfit with guitarist Denny Ilett, is a member of The Moscow Drug Club and is first call Trumpet for many top UK artists

Over the past 25 years Andy Hague has become well known in Bristol both as a performer and as organiser of the weekly jazz venue The Be-Bop Club. He has released many CDs of his music, and appeared on four programmes of BBC Radio's Jazz Notes during the 1990s. Besides his jazz activities he has played in many other settings, including the albums by Portishead, various theatre productions, TV [Waking the Dead, Cold Lazarus] and the soundtrack of the motion picture "A Good Woman" starring Helen Hunt and Scarlett Johannson. Andy is also well known as a jazz educator, having taught under the banner of Bristol Jazz Workshops for over a decade. This has led on to tutoring for several jazz summer schools and residential weekends. He has also acted as an external examiner for the Royal Welsh College Jazz Degree Course.

Saxophonists Ben Waghorn and Kevin Figes; are well known locally, Ben having been a long time associate of Andy's in the Hague Quintet, Septet and Big Band as well as working with many notable national artist including Keith Tippett, Geoff Eales & Dave Stapleton of Edition Records fame.
Kevin Figes leads his own mutiple groups and apart from mastering the Alto and Baritone Saxes is an accomplished Flautist. He best known today for his expansive compositions and arrangements of the highest order. he also has his own 'Pig' Records label.

The rare trombone talent that is Raph Clarkson will be on display in this band. Raph has recently moved to our area after serving a long stint in the World Service Project of Dave Morecroft. He recently released his own new band onto the scene with an accompanying CD and is a leading improvisor working with drummer Tony Orrell.

This band has possible the best rhythm section in the South West region; featuring the mighty piano playing of Jim Blomfield, the groove bass of Riaan Vosloo and top drummer Mark Whitlam (Andy Sheppard)

This is the first time the Lantern Hall has had a full size, jazz, Big Band, since its transformation; and the sound will be awesome. All band arrangements are by Andy Hague, with some of Andy's original compositions plus some by McCoy Tyner, Gershwin and Courtney Pine.

Come and take a listen to a Big Band in full flow for Jazzata's last offering of the year.....