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).