Richmond & TwickenhamJazzClub

Kelvin has been leading his own bands for the past fifteen years and has released twelve CD’s of his originals and standards. The latest CD ‘Piper at the Pearly Gates’ 2006 (with Mark Nightingale on trombone)

Humphrey Lyttleton’s ‘Best of Jazz’ Radio 2.
A graduate from Leeds, Kelvin has played with artists such as Bernard ‘Pretty’ Purdie, Pucho & the Latin Soul Bros, Gilad Atzmon, Alan Barnes. He performs regularly at the major festivals in the UK and Europe which has included Brecon, Nice and Montauban, France.

Winner of “The Most Promising Jazz Player of the Year Under 21”, judged by John Dankworth and Chris Barber in the televised “Young Jazz Player of the Year” competition when only 16. The following year he was voted “The Best Modern Jazz Player” in the same competition judged by Kenny Ball and Ronnie Scott, who likened his mature impact to that of the young Tubby Hayes decades earlier.

His biggest inspiration was Louis Armstrong, whom he met and played for during Louis' visits to England in the sixties. This led to a correspondence and friendship until Louis' death. Rico is one of Britain's brightest and most versatile jazz stars. He spent twelve years with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra, and then a long stint with Ray Gelato. He now works regularly with Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band. He has worked with Keith Nichols on special repertory projects.

Twice winner of the BBC jazz award for best instrumentalist, Alan plays Alto and baritone saxophones and clarinet. Playing mostly carefully chosen standards his main criteria is that the music should swing like mad. He has played with Charlie Watts, Bryan Ferry and Bjork to name just a few and regularly appears in the Michael Parkinson big band. He is also the boss of Woodville Records which have released some of the finest British jazz around.

Vasilis graduated in 1999 from Phillipos Nakas Conservatory in Athens as a saxophonist, while he had already won a scholarship for the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston MA. In 2001, he moved permanently to England and West London. He is a member of the Sound of 17 Big Band, and Eddie Harvey's quintet.

After a stint at the legendary Berklee College of Music in Boston Mass USA, Tony studied with such musical luminaries as Andy Magee, Ernie Watts and Billy pierce, gaining invaluable experience that he then put to best use when back in the UK. From 1991, Tony was part of the UK's premier jazz group of the time - The Jazz Warriors. Tony’s recent projects include an album for Specific Jazz which includes all his own original compositions and a album of Thelonius Monk compositions with Jonathan Gee, Ben Hazleton & Winston Clifford featured artist Orphy Robinson.

The is the not to be missed The Summer party at the Jazz Club. Featuring the World famous ‘Waddock’ Orchestra led by the great Willie Garnett ! The band features top players from the London scene including Alex Garnett, Mike Coates, Chris Lowe, John McNichol….etc. etc. and will be playing arrangements by Sammy Nestico, Don Menza, Kenny Woodman, Frank Toms, Oliver Nelson, Kelvin Christiane, Benny Goodman plus many more.. also features the dulcet tones of vocalist Lesley Christiane.

Having been an integral member of Ray Gelatos’ Giants for several years and a member of Jools Hollands Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Alex has gone on to forge his solo career. He works regularly with Anita Wardell and Gareth Lochranes’ award winning band ‘Grooveyard’ and is a member or the Ronnie Scotts’ All-stars band. He is currently touring his new project The New York Connection.

Annie has worked with artists Joan Armatrading, Chris Rea, Bill Wyman, Elvis Costello, Carlene Carter, Paul Weller, Jerry Dammers, Amazulu. After touring with The Charlie Watts Orchestra, Annie began a rich association with the South African community living in exile in London, playing with Chris MacGregor's Brotherhood of Breath and Louis Moholo's Spirits Rejoice. In Europe she worked with Michael Urbaniak, Jasper van t'Hof, Ursula Dudziak, The World Trombone Quartet (with Ray Anderson), Abdullah Ibrahim and American harmonic guitarist James Blood Ulmer. Her recent projects include touring and recording with the Paul Dunmall Octet (featuring Keith Tippett and Tony Levin), Elton Dean's Newscene (alongside legendary trombonists Roswell Rudd and Paul Rutherford), and Gary Crosby's Jazz Jamaica.

Stan’s long and well established career has involved working with the Phil Seamen Quintet, Tubby Hayes Big Band and accompanying Dizzy Gillespie. He backed artists such as Tony Bennett and Andy Williams and has performed regularly with his quartet at Ronnie Scotts Club. He is currently promoting his latest CD ‘Oursleves’ featuring Geoff Castle.

Simon won the award for ‘Rising Star in last years BBC Jazz awards. His playing encompasses superb technique, great tone, melodic invention and a driving sound that reminds you of the late British master of the tenor saxophone, Tubby Hayes.

Simon Spillett is, in my opinion, the best I have heard live in 25 years.. a natural player with that elusive ingredient to move the audience with the emotion he transmits" (Jazz Journal International).

Gilad was born in Israel in 1963 and had his musical training at the Rubin Academy of Music, Jerusalem . He toured with Memphis Slim and supporting many international jazz names such as Jack De Johnette, Michel Petrucciani, Richie Byrach and many others. As a member of the Blockheads, Gilad has also recorded and performed with such as Ian Dury, Robbie Williams, Sinead O'Connor and Paul McCartney. His recent project Gilad with Strings
....a tribute to Charlie Parker.... has received huge critical acclaim all over the World.

As well as leading his own groups- Gemini and the Jim Hart Quartet – Jim is one of the most in demand musicians on the London scene on Drums and Vibraphone. His regular projects include Neon with Stan Sulzmann and Gwilym Simcock, The Liquorice Stick allsorts with Alan Barnes and Paul Clarvis, John Dankworth and Cleo Laine and Martin Drew's New Jazz Couriers to name just a few. He was the winner of a 2007 British Jazz award, the 2006 British Jazz award for 'Rising star' and the 2006 Worshipful company of musicians Bronze medal.

Mark Nightingale began playing at the age of nine and his outstanding talent became widely recognised when he won the coveted Don Lusher Award at the age of fifteen. He has performed alongside Clark Terry, Bill Holman, Slide Hampton, James Morrison and Ray Brown to name a few. As well as leading his own quartet and Big Band, the Mark Nightingale plays regularly with Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, Stan Tracey's Octet, the Charlie Watts Ten-tet, the John Wilson Big Band, the Andy Panayi Quartet, the Alan Barnes Nonet, Steely Dan, the Laurence Cottle Big Band and the Scott Hamilton Sextet.

In 1992 Jo won 'The Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year'.
After recording her debut album "Here and Now!", Humphrey Lyttelton invited her to join his eight-piece band, which she worked with for many years to great acclaim. Alongside performing in this band Jo also recorded and worked with Acker Bilk and played alongside Tina May, Joe Temperley, Scott Hamilton, Elkie Brooks, and many others.

Damon performs and tours internationaly with his band and has worked with Steve Grossman , Benny Golson, Dave Liebman , Don Braden , Rubin Wilson, Steve Wilson, Bruce Barth and also performed and recorded with Desmond Decker, The Specials, Rico Rodriguez , Paul Weller and Push.

'Out-standing composing and playing. Fresh original and to the point.'
Ian Carr.
'One of the UK's most versatile younger musicians,
Chris Parker, The Times.

Art Themen is one of those, along with Don Weller, Peter King, Bryan Spring, Evan Parker to name but a few who have been at the forefront of the British Jazz Scene for over 30 years. A member of the award winning Cambridge University Jazz Band form 1958 – 1961, he became involved in the London Blues scene, playing alongside Alexis Korner, Mick Jagger, and Chuck Berry. He fronted the Stan Tracy a quartet for 20 years, has toured Worldwide and played and recorded with many US and British luminaries.

Christian Brewer is an exciting, lyrical bop alto player who has been on the London jazz scene for many years. His groups have featured regularly at clubs such as Ronnie Scotts, (London) the Jamboree (Barcelona); the Hotclub (Lisbon) as well as International jazz festivals across Europe. His CD `introducing Christian Brewer' and `SEESAW' were both runner up in the International Jazz competition in Granada , Spain in 2004 and 2005.