Simon Spillett with Alex Steele Quartet

Event information

"Straight-ahead, high energy jazz is his line and he does it with aplomb" (The Guardian)

Over his twenty-five year career, Simon Spillett has worn almost as many hats as it's possible to wear within jazz; multi-award-winning instrumentalist (BBC Jazz Awards, British Jazz Awards, Jazz Journal's Album of The Year), quartet and big band leader, recording artist, author, historian, record producer, archivist, magazine columnist and latterly blogger. However, for all these varied skills, he identifies most strongly as a powerfully swinging, straight-ahead tenor saxophonist, one capable of taking the audiences who hear him on a roller-coaster ride encompassing everything from energetic bebop to heartfelt balladry. It is in this guise that he’s become a solid fixture on the UK jazz landscape, regularly playing sold-out gigs at major festivals (EFG London Jazz Festival, Brecon, Swanage, Scarborough, Wigan) and world famous club venues (Ronnie Scott’s).

A charismatic performer, gifted with a dry observational wit, he’s never lost sight of the fact that jazz is entertainment as much as self-expression and whether playing, writing or articulately holding forth on his favourite subject – UK jazz history – he’s an infectiously passionate communicator.

Joining Simon Spillett tonight, we have the barefoot energy, flying socks and passion of Alex Steele on piano; the insuperable groove merchant, Mike Cypher on drums, always ready to snatch the unexpected beats and turn them into unrivalled rhythmical joy; and the beautifully melodic, lyrical, eloquent and effervescent, ‘Moyk’ Green on double bass.

We’re looking forward to seeing you there!