"An incredible night of music and it is hard to imagine that anything else played last night in London (the opening night of the London Jazz Festival) was comparable. Jazz at its very best! Alan Hayward In a 20-year career James Allsopp has been a featured performer and recording artist for an incredibly diverse range of musicians. He has played in concert and on albums by legendary artists such as The Last Poets, David Axelrod, Dr John and Mulatu Astake, for European jazz luminaries such as Django Bates, Nostalgia 77, Kit Downes and Polar Bear, on more commercial albums by Jamie Cullum and Jorja Smith and as featured soloist in a wide range of compositions by composer Brian Irvine. James's debut album was nominated for BBC Jazz Award for Best Album 2007, and he won the BBC Jazz Award for Innovation 2008. He currently teaches at the Royal College of Music. This is a new project inspired by the music James grew up listening to; a salute to one of his all-time saxophone heroes Stan Getz. James quartet will present an interpretation of some repertoire highlights from the saxophonist's remarkable 45-year career. There is a wealth of top-quality music associated with Stan Getz, from lush ballads and bossa novas to swinging standards and bebop compositions. They have chosen a varied program reflecting this range of material and have interpreted the music respectfully but not reverentially, allowing it to breathe and feel natural for our time. Colin Oxley studied at the Guildhall School, graduating in 1990. In that same year he won Best Soloist in the National Big Band Competition and has gone on to pursue a highly successful musical career. As a long-standing member of Stacey Kent's group, he recorded several albums as well as touring extensively, including appearances at the Montreux and North Sea jazz festivals and residencies in New York and San Francisco. He is currently a member of Steve Fishwick's Quartet, the Dave Newton Quartet, Mark Crooks Quintet, the Back to Basie Orchestra, John Wilson's Orchestra, Steve Kaldestad's Quartet, Simon Thorpe's Swing Band and Eriko Ishihara's Quintet. Colin has also performed with American legends Scott Hamilton, Harry Allen, Hod OBrien, John Bunch, Houston Person, Warren Vache, Jeff Hamilton and Bob Dorough, as well as many of Britain's top players. Oli Hayhurst studied jazz at the Royal Academy of Music under the legendary Jeff Clyne, graduating in 2000. Since then, he has worked in various bands, including Pharoah Sanders' quartet for all his concerts in Europe from 2012 until 2022. In addition, he has played on over 80 albums with jazz artists, singer-songwriters and world music artists, as well as film soundtracks and music for TV. Dave Storey has established himself as one of the leading drummers and first call sidemen on the London jazz scene. He is well known for big, rolling sound on the drums and his work as a bandleader releasing three albums with his eponymous trio confirming their status as a leading ensemble on the UK's bristling creative jazz scene. Perhaps the most gifted British saxophonist of his generation, not to mention the most adaptable. Underscore music magazine

The great drummer Shelly Manne is often associated with the West Coast school of jazz. He has been considered the quintessential drummer in what was seen as a West Coast movement, though Manne should not be so pigeonholed. In the 1950s, much of what he did could be seen as in the West Coast style: performing in tightly arranged compositions in a cool style, as in his 1953 album The West Coast Sound. Some of the West Coast jazz was experimental several years before the more mainstream avant-garde playing of Cecil Taylor and Ornette Coleman, but Manne could and did play with great musicianship in any genre. You could not pick a better drummer to honour Shelly Manne than Matt Skelton. He is a drummer who is equally at home in modern and vintage jazz styles, and he enjoys a diverse musical career that has already spanned three decades. He has accompanied many leading jazz luminaries such as Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Conte Candoli, Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli, Warren Vache, Scott Hamilton, John Hendricks, Kurt Elling, Curtis Stigers, Gregory Porter, and most recently Georgie Fame. He has recorded and appeared with singers such as Marion Montgomery, Dame Cleo Laine, Claire Martin, and Dame Jessye Norman. Travelling as John Wilson's drummer, he has most recently performed with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Stockholm Philharmonic, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Antwerp Radio Orchestra, and The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Since 2015, Matt has taught at both The Guildhall School Of Music and for The London College Of Music, University Of West London. Mark Crooks is always a welcome musician at Fleece Jazz. I remember with such pleasure his Artie Shaw evening. He played the part of Artie Shaw in a gala performance in Dublin, which impressed so much that he was then invited to perform a Benny Goodman programme, followed by featuring as clarinet soloist in an all-American band at the Lincoln Center in New York. His playing on clarinet has incredible phrasing and subtle dynamics. He is a Getzian powerhouse on sax. Winner of the Smith-Watkins Trumpet Award (2016), Royal Academy of Music, Jim Davidson is now pursuing a busy and varied freelance career based in London. He has performed with several Classical and Jazz orchestras, including the LSO, the RPO, the Ronnie Scott's Jazz Orchestra and the BBC Big Band. He is also a member of the Misha Mullov-Abbado Group, The Patchwork Jazz Orchestra, Jonny Mansfield's Elftet and his band Quintet-a-tete. Leon Greening studied piano at Leeds College of Music and the Guildhall. His extraordinary solos, inspired by the likes of Wynton Kelly and Bud Powell, keep the audience on the edge of their seats and mark him out as one of the finest pianists this country has ever produced. His hard swinging style has made him a favourite on the UK Jazz circuit for well over a decade, and his intense performances have not only encouraged a loyal following but high praise from critics: Leon Greening.epitomises the assured confidence of a new generation. JazzJournal; Listening to Leon Greening's playing is like hearing a history of post-Bop piano..authentic and yet personal echoes of (all the greats)..all the more remarkable for coming from a musician of such youth. Clark Tracey Born in the south west of Ireland and then growing up mostly in Surrey, Conor Chaplin studied at Trinity College of Music in Greenwich under the tutelage of Simon Purcell, Steve Watts, and others. Also formative in his education were the late great composer and educator Martin Read at Alton College in Hampshire and his time as part of Surrey County Youth Jazz Orchestra, based in Woking, and the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Conor is currently touring mainly with such projects as Marius Neset's 'Happy' Quintet, rising star saxophonist Emma Rawicz, Laura Jurd's Mercury Prize nominated group Dinosaur, and guitarist Tom Ollendorff's trio. Between these regular projects and other one-off occasions he has had the pleasure of touring extensively throughout the UK, North America, Europe and Asia.

One of the most significant events in UK jazz history was the first time Stan Tracey's "Under Milk Wood" suite was heard. It is probably the largest selling UK jazz album. Sixty years on, Stan's son Clark brings us a reprise of this much loved music. We old folks treasure the times that Stan played at Fleece Jazz. We also treasure Clark's times with us, whether as side man or band leader. To have Clark back with such a superb band is a delight. Three generations of Traceys will be represented: Stan's music, Clark's playing and Ben's (with Sharon White) narration and reading from Dylan Thomas' wonderful poems. To say that Clark Tracey is a stalwart of British jazz is to diminish him. He is one of the finest drummers that the UK has ever produced. He is a fine composer, a much sought after side man and a great band leader. He is also a promoter and an educator with a keen interest in young talent. He is, to my mind, the best at hearing and playing the room; his levels are always perfection. Music is in Gareth Williams' blood. He says, My grandfather was a professional singer, mostly in the Welsh language. Williams also sang when he was younger. I was in two school choirs and sang in the church choir four times a week. I think that's where I got my real musical education. Gareth has his own band, and is much in demand for his superb pianism, which we last delighted in his playing; it was in 2023, with Josh Kemp. Simon Allen began his career with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Pendulum Jazz Orchestra, performing alongside the likes of Jazz Stars Art Themen, Gerard Presencer, Jamie Cullum and Peter King. After being a winner in the Daily Telegraph Young Jazz competition and a finalist in the Young Jazz Musician of the Year, he was selected to join UK drummer Clark Tracey's acclaimed Quintet, winning further awards and touring the UK over 7 years. Simon has released an album under his own name, Any Minute Now' by the Simon Allen Quintet, featuring Laurence Cottle, Martin Shaw, Tom Cawley and Mike Bradley. Simon was appointed Head of Jazz at The Purcell School. Andrew Cleyndert has graced our stage many times. As well as being a wonderful bassist, he runs a jazz label and is one of our finest recording, mixing and mastering engineers. He has toured with Stan Tracey, with American piano players Benny Green, Junior Mance,with drumming legend Ed Thigpen, New York saxophonist Jon Gordon, trumpeter Conte Candoli, and guitarists Herb Ellis and Mundel Lowe.

It can tug at your heart strings, make your spine tingle with joy or trigger a smile after a hard day's work. Close-up Culture From the first moment Antonio walks on stage to rapturous applause, a humble smile on his face, guitar in hand, you know you are in the presence of a true artist and are in for an evening with a touch of magic. And as the first deep, warm, intense notes float through the auditorium, you can hear a pin drop and feel the sonic spell of his guitar weaving through the room. As one critic put it Imagine an Italian hybrid of Michael Hedges, John McLaughlin and Django Reinhardt ... ferocious, rampaging, controlled power, meticulous precision and clarity of expression ... astonishing musical personality Antonio's impressive 21 albums and extensive international tours in festivals and theatres - both as a solo artist, in duo and with his acoustic quartet have brought high critical acclaim from as far as Australia and Hong Kong to the Caribbean, Russia and all over Europe. He has the hands of a tarantula and the heart of a lion', as another critic so expressively phrased it! "A one-off musical sensation. Unmissable" - The Scotsman

Passionate superb heartfelt The Guardian Sharp Little Bones is a quartet of virtuosos playing brand-new compositions that are tight, energetic, catchy, and melodic. It is the brainchild of bassist and composer Simon Paterson who, together with drummer Andrew Woody Wood and keyboardist Paul Deats forms the house band of Peggy's Skylight, a multi-award-winning jazz venue in Nottingham. Joined by multi-award-winning saxophonist Tony Kofi, they form a quartet of virtuosos playing compositions that reach deep within and far outside the jazz canon. Their sound has a fresh, contemporary appeal with compositions that are tight, energetic, catchy, and melodic. Well experienced in entertaining audiences, their sound has fresh, contemporary appeal: live acoustic forces rooted in bebop and blues, embellished with tasteful electronics and warm, analogue synth textures: an eclectic audio melting pot of jazz, funk, blues, and bop. Simon Paterson is a composer and music technologist as well as a bassist. He is Associate Professor of Music at the University of Nottingham and one of the region's most in demand bassists, having performed and recorded with the likes of Tony Kofi, Dennis Rollins, Nigel Price, Art Themen, Digby Fairweather, Alan Barnes, Greg Abate, Chris Ingham and many more. Paul Deats is a masterful pianist and keyboardist who was last at Fleece Jazz in 2024 with Bryan Corbett's Quintet. Paul is also the co-founder of Peggy's Skylight, Nottingham's award-winning jazz venue. Andrew Wood works across a range of genres and has established himself as one of the most in-demand drummers in the East Midlands both on stage and in the studio. Award-winning and internationally recognized saxophonist Tony Kofi is a regular visitor to Fleece Jazz. Having honed his skills in the "Jazz Warriors" of the early 90's, he has gone on to establish himself as a musician, teacher and composer of some authority. He has performed with such acclaimed artists as the David Murray Big Band, Courtney Pine, US3 (Blue Note), The World Saxophone Quartet and Roy Ayers. Tony has also recorded with Ornette Coleman and worked with Abdullah Ibrahim. Expect to hear catchy post-bop, beautiful sax and bass-led melodies, spacious ballads, spiritual energy and expansive atmospheres, hard swingers, and groove-led pieces full of vibe. Within well-crafted, melodic writing and tight, rhythmical arrangements, there's freedom for expressive solos and intuitive, group-led improvisation. Finding the right musical direction, the right musicians, sounding original, authentic and an often-overlooked ingredient having the desire to communicate: Sharp Little Bones ticks all those boxes Stuart Nicholson, Jazzwise. The music and sound immediately felt unique, and the band's performance got the crowd whooping. The audience demanded more this night was a pleasure to behold London Jazz News

"Winning immediacy." ★★★★ - Mojo Magazine "Refreshingly imaginative and invigorating." - All About Jazz "Davies has an exceptionally powerful and clearly defined tone, with which she turns melodies into expressive sculptures" - BR Klassik Josephine returns to us, adding the piano to her Satori trio. She is the winner of the 2019 Parliamentary Award Jazz Instrumentalist of the year. Josephine Davies is a musical artist at the forefront of the UK contemporary music scene, pushing the boundaries of jazz with her current main artistic project Satori a sax/bass/drums trio with an emphasis on extended and collaborative improvisation. It is a project that combines her seeking of freedom of expression with her interest in Japanese philosophy and lifestyle. The addition of a harmonic instrument gives the band a new flavour Now becoming equally known as a composer, her unique voice is a blend of classical, jazz and folk music, creating an intensely dynamic sound infused with the Nordic quality of her Shetland roots. Deeply influenced by the American composer Maria Schneider, Josephine was resident composer and tenor player for the London Jazz Orchestra from 2011-2016, and now has her own big band The Enso Ensemble. As a saxophonist she is known for her melodic focus, versatility and unique style which has been described as consistently inventive (Jazzwise Magazine), 'strong and authoritative (The JazzMann) and with winning immediacy (MOJO Magazine). To the Satori rhythm section of Dave Whitford on bass and drummer James Maddren, we will have pianist Alcyona Mick. Alcyona has been nominated for a Parliamentary Jazz Instrumentalist Award and was described in the Guardian as possessing "world-class ingenuity". She has played with a wide array of musicians including Yazz Ahmed, Henry Lowther's 'Still Waters', Kate Shortt, Nikki Iles, Ibrahim Mahlouf, Zoe Rahman and many others. As a composer, she has a Master's in composing music for film from the National Film and Television School. She has written and produced music for many independent short films, documentaries, animation and silent cinema. She won an award for Best Soundtrack at the Anima Mundi International Festival, Brazil James Maddren is one of the UK's (and increasingly Europe's) first-call young drummers. He enjoys listening to and performing a wide range of music and has shared the stage with numerous artists and ensembles. Dave Whitford has become one of London's most in-demand side-men and can frequently be heard in the capital's top venues such as Ronnie Scott's, The Vortex, The 606 and The Jazz Café. He has also toured extensively nationally.