Eddie Gripper - Piano Clem Saynor - Double Bass Patrick Barrett - Donlon - Drums Eddie Gripper played at the East Side last year with Alex Clarke . He brings his trio to the East Side this time . Performing music from his second album Americana (released April 2025), Eddie Gripper tells the story of an 8,000 km hitchhiking journey from Alaska to California, completed in under two months during the summer of 2022. The music captures the vast landscapes and unforgettable moments along the way - from sleeping in the Alaskan wilderness to cycling down Santa Monica Pier - offering a vivid, hopeful, yet unflinching reflection on American life. Having already garnered comparisons with the greats (Jazzwise) after the release of his debut album Home, pianist Eddie Gripper has rapidly established himself as a young contender on the national jazz circuit. He has worked as a performer, promoter and producer alongside top musicians in his field such as Nigel Price, Simon Spillett and Alex Clarke. As a composer, he has collaborated with vocalist Elijah Jeffery, releasing a self-titled album in 2025 songs that explore the intersections of jazz, singer-songwriter, classical and folk traditions. In 2024, Gripper embarked on a 29-date tour across the four nations of the UK and Republic of Ireland, and remains active on the national and international scene (having played at venues such as Crazy Coqs, Pizza Express and various festivals, both under his own name and with other projects).

Blue Rose Code is a band led by Edinburgh-born songwriter Ross Wilson. At the edge of contemporary alt-folk, Wilson's music evokes a meeting of Van Morrison and a young John Martyn, both shipwrecked with a bunch of Motown records. Following headline performances in 2024 at Cambridge Folk Festival and Gate To Southwell with his nine-piece Caley Soul band as well as a sold out bravura show for Celtic Connections at Glasgow's 1400 capacity Pavillion Theatre, Wilson has spent the last few months reconnecting with his roots in live club performance. Touring solo, duo, or quartet in 2025, the shows have workshopped new songs for 2026's new Blue Rose Code studio album. The direction of travel seems to be closer to the broad Scots Folk/Singer Songwriter style that brought him to work with the likes of Karine Polwart, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Ewan McGregor, to write for Steve Knightley, and open for heavyweights like Van Morrison, Deacon Blue and the Proclaimers. In any combination; solo, duo, quartet, Big Caley Soul Band, Blue Rose Code simply has to be seen live.

The Fast Camels explosive blend of 60's influenced psychedelia, freakbeat and classic power-pop has been turning heads on the live circuit in their native Glasgow since their formation in 2005. Off the back of a very successful tour in the West Coast of America, the band were invited to support one of their biggest influences from the 1960s music scene (Johnny Echols - Love) both in the USA and UK. This and a very productive time in the recording studio, Glasgow's, 'The Fast Camels' have just released their 5th studio album, 'Lost To This World'. Lost To This World is a departure from their earlier freakbeat/psychedelic influences although these genres are still prevalent. The new direction takes on a more energetic yet dark account of emotions, dealing with loss, love and everything in between. Playing a string of festivals has taken the band throughout mainland Europe as well as the USA, while an extensive number of gigs up and down the UK has served to promote their 60s inspired psychedelic pop to the ever growing following of the The Fast Camels. Guitar driven, the templates are primarily Love, The Byrds, Barrett's Floyd and the UK Kaleidoscope. There is precious little whimsy here, the band attack the songs with gusto, creating waves of sound which are well produced, thick and full bodied.

Rattling Chains is the latest vehicle for Ed Abbiati to channel his classic high energy rock‘n’roll songs. Previously leading Americana legends Lowlands, Ed has added horns to his latest outfit. As he describes the band - ‘It’s the sound of a group of friends-bandmates through years of shifting lineups and different bands-playing their hearts out on a Saturday night.’ If you never had the chance to see Lowlands at previous What’s Cookin’ shows and other London venues or heard their albums or the ‘Me and the Devil’ record he cut with Chris Cacavas (Green on Red / Dream Syndicate), here’s a chance to put that right. Think Springsteen, Petty, Seeger and sometimes even a bit of the Pogues thrown in. Years of shared miles,shows,albums, life, all leads to a live show where the tempo rushes here and a chord slips there as they allow the music to knock them off balance and play heartfelt and honest music. This isn’t about perfection, it’s about having fun and getting raucous and a band playing for friends, strangers, and the sheer love of doing it. Tomas Peters and his best friend Sam Barker are the songwriters, singers and guitarists in Red Hash. Their songs are an amalgam of melodic but hard hitting 60s and 70s rock and roll and folk influences but are very much a band of today. In their own words ‘We are a rock and roll band. We mainly get inspiration from the 60s and the 90s, but we add our own touch and our own flavour to keep it original’.

Part of the EFG London Jazz Festival Hans Koller - piano Tony Kofi - sax Calum Gourlay - bass Noah Ojumu - drums Louis Koller - trombone Pianist/composer Hans Koller joins forces with double bassist Calum Gourlay, fellow founder of the Monk repertoire band Thelonious, and with the unique saxophone virtuoso Tony Kofi, who is himself renowned for knowing the entire Monk book by heart. Two amazing new young jazz musicians on the scene, Noah Ojumu (drums) and Louis Koller (trombone) complete this exciting group celebrating the music of Thelonious Monk, in an exploration of some of the lesser known compositions, offering their own take on this iconic, timeless music. Tony Kofi is a British Jazz multi-instrumentalist born of Ghanaian parents, a player of the Alto, Baritone, Soprano, Tenor saxophones and flute. Having 'cut his teeth' in the Jazz Warriors of the early 90's, award-winning saxophonist Tony Kofi has gone on to establish himself as a musician, teacher and composer of some authority. As well as performing and recording with Gary Crosby's Nu-Troop and Jazz Jamaica, Tony's playing has also been a feature of many bands and artists he has worked/recorded with include US-3 The World Saxophone Quartet, Courtney Pine, Donald Byrd, Eddie Henderson, The David Murray Big Band, Sam Rivers Rivbe Big band, Andrew Hill Big Band, Abdullah Ibrahim, Macy Gray, Julian Joseph Big band, Harry Connick JR, Byron Wallen's Indigo, Jamaaladeen Tacuma's Coltrane Configurations and Ornette Coleman. His fluent and fiery hard-bop style makes him constantly in demand. He currently leads his own Tony Kofi Quartet, Tony Kofi Sphinx Trio, Future Passed Trio and is also the co-founder with Jonathan Gee of the Monk Liberation Front, a group that is dedicated to the music of Thelonious Monk. Tony's latest project sees him performing with Alex Webb's Café Society Swing, Arnie Somogyi's Jump Monk, Larry Bartley's JustUS Quartet, Larry Bartley Trio featuring Tony Kofi, Adrian Reid Quartet, a double leaders project with Alan Barnes called Aggregation, Orphy Robinson's Bobby Hutcherson songbook project, Alina Bzhezhinska Hip Harp Collective, Jo Harrop's Fever, Portrait of Cannonball (Music dedicated to Cannonball Adderley)

Praised for writing bone-breakingly beautiful music, known for his poignant lyricism and commanding stage presence, 27 year old Dublin folk artist and storyteller Kenan Flannery has built an undeniable live reputation. He has commanded major stages across Ireland and beyond, from his last completely sold-out Dublin headline show at The Cobblestone to high-profile support slots with international heavyweights like The White Buffalo, Amanda Shrines and John R. Miller. This new chapter with his band, Kenan Flannery & The Will to Live, Flannery's traditional storytelling takes on an atmospheric, cinematic edge. This formidable international lineup brings a new wildness to the music, featuring Anthony Croft (UK) on violin, Gravedancer (USA) on mandolin and banjo, and Copper Kelly (Ireland) bass guitar. Together, Kenan Flannery & The Will to Live bridge the gap between traditional grit and modern folk energy, delivering a transnational roots sound that is both deeply intimate and fiercely alive. They will make their debut as a band at What's Cookin' in London on the 2nd of December! Kenan at his core is a storyteller for the damned and broken, writing heart-wrenching songs and stories with a voice that hits you with the intensity of a hundred Irish poets and musicians. He mixes his upbringing of Irish folk/ballad music from the likes of The Dubliners with his love of American folk music and has been compared to the likes of John Prine, Townes Van Zandt and Blaze Foley.

Tuppenny Bunters are a 2-piece piano and drums outfit, using vintage gear and two distinct vocals to create an electrifying set of original songs that encompass Music Hall, Baroque, Garage, Punk and New Wave. Their influences are many and they weave these together with abandon. They frequently swap instruments and share lead vocals. A unique and visceral act.

Not many original bands have alt.country pioneers bloodline (Satellite Inn's first record, Cold Morning Songs, came out in 1998 and got praised by the alternative press), nice stories to tell (in 1997 Satellite Inn got signed on a US label, MoodFood Records, to replace Whiskeytown that went on a major label) and great collaborations (their lead singer, Stiv Cantarelli, put out a solo album with Richmond Fontaine as backing band). The fact that they always preferred to shy away from the bright lights playing smokey pubs and roadside bars it only proves that they stayed true with themselves. Back in 2002, Satellite Inn were the italian touring band for Robert Fisher (Willard Grant Conspiracy). That persuaded him to handle the production of what it should have been Satellite Inn’s second album. What did happen is that MoodFood Records went out of business and the band on permanent hiatus, as well as the songs included in that demo. After the self- release of their 2024 eponymous album, Satellite Inn, almost a decade since the death of Robert Fisher that lost songs reappeared in a box of Satellite Inn’s unused master tapes. The material was so inspiring for the band that they decided to pay a tribute to their old master. Those early songs sounded so fresh that they became the backbone of their new record. For the occasion, Satellite Inn will team up again with their old friends at the historic El Cortez label in Portland, Oregon, once run by Richmond Fontaine and now the platform distributing aural gems from the acclaimed band The Delines. “Tension and melancholy typical of the alternative country gesture, as expressed in its finest form...” Roots Highway “Pitch-dark, husky indie blues for the guilty and tarnished.” Whisperin’ & Hollerin’ “Takes a punk rock approach to songs built around traditional country music tropes and perfectly encapsulates that alt.country spirit.” RNR “A grizzled, world-weary attitude... wonderful little slices of Americana that fans of Uncle Tupelo and The Jayhawks are sure to love.” Vive Le Rock Elaine Palmer's latest album Some Seek Silver, Some Seek Gold started life in Northern Ireland at the isolated Amberville Studios, Co. Antrim, once built for Van Morrison. It deftly blends the quiet after-hours reflections of the title-track and the gossamer ‘Roses’ with the strident alt.country of ‘I Still Feel The Same’ and soulful single ‘The Losing Hand’, demonstrating a newfound assertiveness. The wintry Brontë-esque ‘Once Were Lovers’, meanwhile, evokes the windswept moors of Elaine’s homeland. Hailing from an isolated village in rural North Yorkshire, Elaine has spent much of her life travelling back and forth to family in Phoenix, Arizona. She immersed herself in music, writing songs influenced by her surroundings both in the UK and USA. Finely honing her distinctive voice and building a reputation as much for her emotive, mesmerizing stage presence as for her fusion of British folk and American country styles, sharing stages with the likes of KT Tunstall, Patty Griffin, Courtney Marie Andrews and The Delines and receiving airplay from such BBC legends as Bob Harris, Iain Anderson and Eve Blair. “With a beautifully conversational voice, an unerring sense of melody and a bittersweet and wistful repertoire, Elaine Palmer is undoubtedly a talent” MOJO “A rich and powerful voice that ranges from a subtle whisper to a full-blown bluesy edge, she writes incredible songs that stand-up to repeated listenings” MAVERICK MAGAZINE “Conjures up the austere splendour of the Yorkshire moors alongside the rugged beauty of the American west.” Americana-UK

Janette Mason - Piano Jakub Cywi'ski - Acoustic Bass Eric Ford - Drums Janette Mason has a storied career playing for multiple artists across the worlds of jazz and pop. As a session player, she's toured with some of the biggest pop names in the business including Oasis and Pulp, and as a band leader, she's released a series of acclaimed jazz albums featuring some of the UK's most respected players. For her latest project, ReWired, she's selected a basket full of all the tunes that mean the most to her, from timeless standards to modern chart classics and reworked each of them. No-one is off limits and the repertoire draws from everyone from Gary Numan and David Bowie to Kate Bush and Olivia Rodrigo, with Janette's fierce and inventive arrangements pulling everything together. Nominated for Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year - Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2025 Nominated for Best Jazz Recording - Presto Music 2025 Born in Poland, based in London, Jakub Cywi'ski is a performer and composer who studied double bass at the Royal College of Music. His musical collaborations includes Ola Onabule, Nicolas Meier, Julian Nicholas, Partikel, Duncan Eagles Quartet among. Eric Ford has performed across the globe and played on around sixty albums. He has worked with musicians as diverse as Ronnie Laws, Marc Almond, Clare Teal, The London Jazz Orchestra and Jason Rebello. He has been a member of the acclaimed contemporary jazz trio Partikel since 2009.

The Scorcher is back!

One of the UK's greatest songwriters remembered. A tribute to the maverick genius of the late great Scottish songwriter and folk musician Jackie Leven. He was one of Scottish pop's nearly men. Emerging in the febrile post-punk era of the late 1970s with the band Doll by Doll, a ferocious, by all accounts even intimidating, live act at the time, he survived a brutal assault and heroin addiction in the 1980s to become a cult singer-songwriter much loved by critics and his loyal fans (who included crime writer Ian Rankin), but sadly ignored by the wider world. Jackie died of cancer in 2011, aged 61, leaving behind an impressive legacy; more than 300 songs, a book full (maybe more than one) of tall tales attached to his legend, some of them even true, taking in everyone from Princess Di to the Dalai Lama.

An intimate up close evening with the Australia based, Belfast Born singer songwriter. A true 21st Century, perennial peripatetic troubadour, from Belfast, longtime resident of Melbourne, Andy White is one of Ireland's most accomplished and respected song-writers since his 1985 debut Stiff EP 'Religious Persuasion' and his 1986 first album, 'Rave On Andy White'. He's the 'A' in 'supergroup' ALT alongside Liam O'Maonlai (Hothouse Flowers) and Tim Finn (Crowded House). He's recorded with Peter Gabriel and toured in so many different combinations, published poems and prose. A longtime association with Womad as well as appearances at The Fleadh and Glastonbury means Andy's well used to large open air gigs, but he's equally at home in intimate spaces, where his beautiful songs, voice and musicianship shine and inspire. Forever touring, forever changing, forever Andy... Please note that the venue is located up stairs and may not be suitable for those with walking difficulties Please note that we operate a not talking policy when the acts are performing. Please be a considerate gig goer and don't spoil it for your fellow gig goers and the artists giving their all

It;s gonna be a Holly Xmas! Holly Golightly started her musical career as a founder member of all girl garage band Thee Headcoatees, a Billy Childish / Thee Headcoats splinter group in 1991. After four years as a Headcoatee she also found time to release a debut solo record, The Good Things, in 1995. Where the Headcoatees sound was a blend of girl group sounds and three-chord garage-rock with all the original songs coming from the pen of Billy Childish, Holly’s solo sound is more a blend of pre-rock electric blues, folk rock, and less frantic rock & roll. In addition to Holly’s original songs, she’s also covered a wide range of artists including Willie Dixon, Ike Turner, Lee Hazelwood, Wreckless Eric, and Bill Withers. She is one of the most interesting and diverse artists to come out of the Billy Childish school and is certainly one of the better singer/songwriters of the post-grunge era who seems to get better with every album. Over the years Holly has been guest vocalist on various other band projects, including live with Mudhoney, on a couple of Greenhornes releases, and on a couple of Rocket From The Crypt tracks including their hit single ‘Lipstick’. After relocating to USA in the early 2010s to concentrate more on touring with Lawyer Dave asHolly Golightly & The Brokeoffs, she also made two more solo albums, Slowtown Now! and Do The Get Along which were released in 2015 and 2018 respectively. Both were recorded at Ed Deegan’s new Gizzard Studios with Ed at the controls and featured the current band line-up of Bruce Brand (drums), Matt Radford (double bass), Ed Deegan (guitar) and Bradley Burgess (guitar). She’s been busy living and working at her home in the US with her animals as well as heading back to Europe for a few tours in the 2020s and finally got back in the studio while in London at the end of 2024 to record ten new original songs for her brand-new album Look Like Trouble. what's cookin' has limited seating on a first come first served basis For futher info email [email protected]

Leo Richardson - sax Rick SImpson - piano Bass - Dave Whitford Drums - Joel Waters London-based saxophonist Leo Richardson presents his high-octane quartet performing entirely original music, firmly grounded in contemporary hard bop. The music is very much inspired by the hard bop and post-bop era of jazz, with strong melodies and exciting interplay. Known for his powerful sound, melodic clarity, and deep roots in the hard bop tradition, Richardson leads a band that delivers music of high energy, and strong collective identity. Tonight the band will be performing material gearing up to their next album recording, alongside some music from their most recent record 'Move'. The recent release of Leo’s follow up album ‘Move’, continues to make waves, alongside his notable performance and recording credits for artists which include: Jamie Callum, Gregory Porter, Kylie, Gary Barlow, The BBC Proms, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Ben Sidran, Eric Alexander, The Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra and The Ronnie's Allstars, to name a few... “I can’t remember hearing a more impressive debut. The style is hard bop, but music as good as this is beyond category.” Dave Gelly, The Observer 5 “When I heard this album my immediate thought was that all bets are off regarding the CD of the Year.” Lance Liddle, Bebop Spoken Here Leo’s quartet consists of killer artists who are all standouts in their own right. Rick Simpson, winner of the Yamaha Scholarship Prize for Outstanding Jazz Musicians, resides on piano.

Mike Soper - Trumpet & Flugel James Allsopp - Tenor Sax Huw V Williams - Double bass Jay Davis - Drums and compositions Drummer Jay Davis has played at the East Side in many different bands . Tonight he brings his own quartet promoting his first album as a leader Badtrad . It features saxophonist James Allsopp who has played here many times too , trumpeter Mike Soper who brought his quartet to the East Side last year and bass player Huw V Williams Praise for BadTrad: "Beautiful collective improvisation from this brilliant band" - Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio 2 “This isn't just music for today, it's also music for late yesterday, tomorrow and the day after that.” - Bebop Spoken Here “Rebellious attitude”, “...writing reminiscent of Sonny Rollins, Charles Mingus, Ornette Coleman, or Don Cherry, remains nonetheless very personal.” - Jazz Magazine, France

Danny Jones is a singer and guitarist. He comes from a folkie background and he sings old and new, often with a nod to his home town of Liverpool. His father is Hughie Jones of folk legends, The Spinners, and a lot of his sensibilities come directly from them. The songs and the audience share top billing in his joyous gigs. Now an annual What's Cookin' tradition...featuring Emma Scarr / John O’Sullivan (The Snakes) / Paul F Cook (Skylon) / Tim Briggs (Galley Slaves) / The Kitchen Drinkers

The swingin' sister returns to the kitchen to see us into 2027...

Kyle Osborne - piano Dillon Woods - sax Raph Clarkson - trombone Rianna Henriques - flute Chris Chikanwah - drums Aiyana Rennie - double-bass Brand Nu Dolla return to the East Side after their superb sold out show last year The band was formed by putting together a specific blend of musicians to perform the music of Abdullah Ibrahim - South Africa’s greatest musician and composer who died earlier this year They have put together a set list from Abdullah Ibrahim's vast catalogue of his compositions from African Sun , through Cherry and Mannenberg to Whoza Mtwana This should be a very special and exciting night Aiyana Rennie is an RCM Scholar, having attended the Yehudi Menuhin and Chetham Schools. Aiyana has extensive international experience in Europe & N America and has also performed with the Chineke Orchestra and at the BRIT Awards with Stormzy. Kyle Osborne is a jazz pianist/composer, studying at Trinity Laban Conservatoire. His influences include African Mande traditions & Ahmad Jamal. He has played with Shabaka Hutchins, Tony Kofi, Gary Crosby & Binker Golding in venues from the Albert Hall to Dizzy's Club, NYC. Dillon Woods grew up in the Eastern Cape with the music of Abdullah Ibrahim. He has performed in the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Scotland, England and Wales. Apart from tenor and alto sax, his musical background includes piano and the bagpipes. Rianna Henriques graduated as a Royal College of Music scholar as a flautist and saxophonist. Rianna has performed at Ronnie Scott’s, the Royal Albert Hall and at major jazz festivals in London, Stockholm and Montreux. She has performed with Lisa Simone, Hermeto Pascoal and Jasmine Myra. Raph Clarkson has collaborated with Laura Jurd, Overground Collective, World Service Project, The Dissolute Society, and South Africa-UK + collaboration Equal Spirits. He has been commissioned by Sinfonia Viva, Britten Sinfonia, Spitalfields Music, Engines Orchestra & Mid-Wales Music Trust. Chris Chikanwah grew up in Zimbabwe with the music of Abdullah Ibrahim. Chris is not only an accomplished drummer but a bass player as well. Chris performs nternationally across a range of music genres. Chris leads the rythmn section in Brand Nu Dolla.

Annie Whitehead - Trombone, Effects Steve Lodder - Piano, Keyboards Jennifer Maidman - Bass Liam Genockey - Drums Geoffrey Richardson - viola.mandolin Annie Whitehead learnt trombone at school and by the age of fourteen was already busy playing with brass bands and local big bands. At sixteen, she started her professional career with Ivy Benson’s All Girl Orchestra. Since then she has brought her distinctive sound to a wide range of projects, exploring many different musical styles. As part of the UK jazz scene she has worked with Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath, John Stevens, Dudu Pukwana, Evan Parker, Paul Dunmall Octet (featuring Keith Tippett and Tony Levin), Elton Dean’s Newsense (alongside legendary trombonists Roswell Rudd and Paul Rutherford), The Charlie Watts Big Band, and the Jazz Jamaica Big Band. Internationally she’s worked with McCoy Tyner, Carla Bley, Abdullah Ibrahim, Louis Moholo and James Blood Ulmer. Session and pop credits include Joan Armatrading, Elvis Costello, Eddi Reader and Paul Weller. With the horn section The Kick Horns, she has done session work with Rufus Wainwright, Blur, The Beautiful South, Jamiroquai, Dr John, Eric Clapton and many others. As a member of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra she toured worldwide and appeared on three albums: ‘Broadcasting from Home’, ‘Union Cafe’ and ‘Concert Program’. It was here that she met her partner and musical collaborator Jennifer Maidman. Their first of their many projects together was the free-funk ensemble ‘Rude’, with Harry Beckett and Liam Genockey. Most recently she has played on Jennifer Maidman’s debut album ‘Dreamland’, recorded in Woodstock NY, which also features David Torn on guitar and drummer Jerry Marotta. Annie and Jennifer are currently working together on various projects as well as promoting the album in the US and the UK. Jennifer Maidman is a multi-instrumentalist, writer and producer who has had a long and varied career, playing with Murray Head, Joan Armatrading, Paul Brady, Boy George, Shakespears Sister, George Clinton and The Penguin Cafe Orchestra amongst countless others. She has produced Paul Brady, Murray Head, Annie’s albums, and has written for Boy George, Guesch Patti, Sam Brown and Murray Head. Geoffrey Richardson is a multi-instrumentalist, performer, arranger, producer, engineer; electronics nut; painter & drawer. He is best known for his work with Caravan, Murray Head, French artist Renaud, and the Penguin Cafe Orchestra. He has released several recordings under his own name recorded at his studio in deepest Kent. Steve Lodder is one of Europe’s finest jazz musicians. Steve has worked with John Etheridge, Maggie Nichols, Carla Bley, George Russell’s ‘Living Time Orchestra’ and has toured and recorded with Andy Sheppards ‘Inco-motion’. He is the regular keyboardist with the Alison Rayner Quintet. His first release under his own name was 2001’s Bout Time 2. Liam Genockey is the drummer for Steeleye Span He has also worked with Gerry Rafferty, Paul Brady, Elton Dean, Lol Coxhill, Zzebra and Gillan amongst many others.

Legacy: Coltrane & Cannonball Tony Kofi & Denys Baptiste Quintet Two of the UK!s most acclaimed saxophonists, Denys Baptiste and Tony Kofi, reunite for a dynamic project celebrating one of the most iconic front-line partnerships in jazz history: Julian "Cannonball” Adderley and John Coltrane. The original LP was while Cannonball and Coltrane while working with Miles Davis. Miles had gone AWOL and Cannonball used the free time to cut a disc with classics including, Limehouse Blues, Stars Fell on Alabama and Grand Central. The album was created in the same year as both Kind of Blue and Giant Steps, two of the most important jazz records in jazz history. The Leaders First collaborating in the early !90s as members of Gary Crosby!s influential Nu Troop, Baptiste and Kofi now bring their outstanding musicianship, deep rapport, and commanding stage presence to a fresh tribute honouring the classic Cannonball Adderley Quintet in Chicago recording. Denys Baptiste - Tenor Saxophone Denys Baptiste is one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary British jazz. Emerging from the Tomorrow!s Warriors programme in the 1990s, he quickly established himself as a formidable improviser, composer, and bandleader. His early albums earned major acclaim, with nominations for the Mercury Music Prize and wins at the MOBO Awards and British Jazz Awards, marking him as a leading creative force. Baptiste!s playing combines technical authority with emotional depth, drawing from the Coltrane tradition while forging a personal, contemporary sound. He has collaborated widely across the jazz spectrum-from international greats to groundbreaking UK artists-and is celebrated for projects that blend spiritual jazz, Afro-Caribbean influences, and deeply melodic lyricism. His commanding tone and adventurous approach make him an ideal interpreter of the Coltrane legacy. Tony Kofi - Alto Saxophone Tony Kofi is renowned as one of the UK!s finest alto saxophonists, known for his powerful sound, fearless improvisation, and deep-rooted connection to the jazz tradition. A graduate of the legendary Berklee College of Music, he has built an extensive career performing with the likes of the World Saxophone Quartet, Courtney Pine, Abdullah Ibrahim, Branford Marsalis, and many leading UK ensembles. Kofi has released a string of acclaimed albums, including tributes to Thelonious Monk and Cannonball Adderley, and has been recognised with numerous awards including Best Instrumentalist at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards and multiple wins at the BBC Jazz Awards. His dynamic stage presence and commitment to musical storytelling place him firmly within the lineage of great post-bop saxophonists-making his partnership with Denys Baptiste both historically aware and electrifyingly fresh. Rick Simpson - Piano Rick Simpson is a highly respected pianist on the UK jazz scene, known for his versatility, imagination, and strong melodic sense. A first-call collaborator for many leading horn players, Simpson brings both sensitivity and fire to the bandstand, making him a perfect fit for the high-energy interplay of this project. Mikele Montolli - Bass Italian-born bassist Mikele Montolli has become a key figure in London!s contemporary jazz and improvised music community. His warm tone, rhythmic strength, and ability to move seamlessly between groove and abstraction provide a solid yet flexible foundation for the front line. Winston Clifford - Drums Winston Clifford is one of the UK!s most in-demand jazz drummers, celebrated for his creativity, responsiveness, and deep swing feel. His intuitive sense of dynamics and interaction ensures that the music remains vibrant, propulsive, and continually evolving.

The Coal Porters claim to be the world’s first 'alt-bluegrass' act, demonstrating the power of fiddle, mandolin, banjo, acoustic guitar and doghouse bass when matched with four-part harmonies and memorable melodies. Firmly established on the UK and European touring circuits, the Coal Porters are an acoustic act with attitude. Their live show is polished yet passionate and second to none.

Tough and howlin’ harmonica-led outfit Jimmy Regal and The Royals brings an original blend of blues and roots-inspired music by South London, North Mississippi, West Africa, New Orleans and Canvey Island. Nominated by the UK Blues Federation for 2024 Band of the year and album of the year, Jimmy Regal and the Royals is one of the UK's most exciting and original bands, with growing acclaim locally and internationally. With their latest album topping UK and international charts and extensive live performances with globally recognised artists, along with enthusiastic reviews from major music publications and radio DJ's, Jimmy Regal and the Royals stand out from the crowd with a powerful sound that translates to stellar live performances. The band have recorded with world-renowned artists and explores music and rhythms from New Orleans and North Mississippi to Senegal and Canvey Island. “Jimmy Regal and the Royals is one hell of a blues band” BLUES MATTERS. “It’s not hard to hear why this outfit is carving a reputation on the live circuit” HI FI NEWS “Feels like a walk down the Crescent City’s Bourbon Street” CLASSIC ROCK MAGAZINE

A collaboration between Kaspar Berry Rapkin & Lucy Piper sees two established musicians from the UK's Blues scene come together to play the upbeat Hill Country & Delta Blues from the land where they first met, Clarksdale, Mississippi. Dedicated to capturing the raw hypnotic energy you'd find in a traditional 'Juke Joint', both musicians are devoted to keeping this unique music alive, with an added fresh edge. Hailing from St Albans and Exeter, Kaspar plays regularly on the London Blues circuit as well as at many of the leading UK's Blues Festivals, both solo and with his band 'The Swamp Dogs', whilst Lucy is well known on the scene for her role as a Blues session Drummer, and has played with the likes of Ben Waters, Mississippi Macdonald, and James Oliver, as well as many American Blues artists out in the Delta, such as Watermelon Slim and Robert Kimbrough Sr. Her late father was Blues Musician & Music journalist Julian Piper, who she also played with, in his band 'Junkyard Angels'. Kaspar and Lucy believe that the genre deserves a larger audience and are determined to showcase its power, authenticity, and irresistible groove to new listeners and dedicated blues fans alike. Murderbilly, Gothic Country. Americana Noir. Just three of the terms sort of useful in sort of describing the music of Mr Plow.

The True Story Jesus C. Escovidoof The Bikini Beach Band begins with one man - Jesus C. Escovedo - guitarist, revolutionary, ladies' man and 1956 All-Mexico Surfing Champion. Forced by his political beliefs to flee from his homeland, he escaped by stowing away on a cruise liner with only a guitar, a Hawaiian shirt and an autographed photo of Duane Eddy. He landed in Southampton, convinced Britain would welcome his music with open arms. Sadly, this was not to be. His debut single, Gringo Woody Stomp (Mecca Recordings), was released on the same day as The Beatles' She Loves You consigned the British instrumental scene to history. But Jesus was not downhearted. Read the full story at www.bikinibeach.co.uk

Columbia, Missouri trio The Hooten Hallers are a high-energy blues-rock band known for hard-traveling and wild live shows, with a seemingly endless tour schedule. The myriad of influences in their music incorporates elements of rhythm & blues, rock'n'roll, honky tonk, jazz, and soul, with a thematic penchant for the strange and the unexplained. Their live shows take the listener on a seamless ride from unapologetically raucous blues on the lap steel and bass sax, to a sweet three part harmony country ballad, to a romping dance number. Listeners often detect hints of George Thorogood, Morphine, and Tom Waits, but anyone who has seen The Hooten Hallers live knows that this power trio is unlike anything they've experienced before.