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, Peter King.
He performs regularly at the major festivals in the UK and Europe which has included Brecon, Swanage, Nice and Montauban, France.

Resident in the UK since 1954, Harry Beckett's reputation extends throughout Europe and the USA. In 1961, he played with Charles Mingus in the film All Night Long. In the late 1960’s he has worked and recorded within the band of bass player and composer Graham Collier . Since 1970 he has been leading groups of his own, recording for Philips, RCA and Ogun records amongst other labels.

He has been a key figure of important groups in the British free jazz/improvised music scene, including Ian Carr's Nucleus, the Brotherhood of Breath and the Dedication Orchestra, London Jazz Composers orchestra, John Surman Octet Django Bates, Ronnie Scott's Quintet, Kathy Stobart, Stan Tracy and Charlie Watts’s Big Band and Octet; Elton Dean's Ninesense..

“the finest alto saxophonist that Britain has ever produced, and one of the finest in the world today” (Dave Gelly, 'The Giants of Jazz', Aurum Press, 1986).
Although he now concentrates on his work as a solo artist and with his regular Quartet, Peter has worked and with such legends as Bud Powell, Elvin Jones, Max Roach, Milt Jackson, Lalo Schifrin, Frank Foster's ‘new' Count Basie Band and the Ray Charles Orchestra. He has also recorded with Hampton Hawes, Al Haig, Philly Joe Jones, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, and many others, including Red Rodney, who said this of Peter.. “He's got that natural growl in his playing –yet he's soft and beautiful when he wants to be.” Peter has also worked with many great singers, such as Ernestine Anderson, Joe Williams, Anita O'Day, and made albums with Jon Hendricks and Jimmy Witherspoon.

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.

In addition to being much in demand as a guest soloist across Europe, and co-leading the award-winning quintet with Alan Barnes. Bruce was also awarded the top trumpet prize at the British Jazz Awards 2000/2001, and is the current holder of the Marstons Pedigree jazz award prize of top British Jazz Trumpeter for 2006/2007. The varied style of Bruce's work has led him to perform in the past with people such as Benny Carter, Al Cohn, Lanny Morgan, Herb Geller, Buddy Tate etc.. Bruce recently two quintet albums with Alan Barnes. "Sidesteppin", and "let's Face The Music". Both Albums received rave reviews from the critcs and won C.D of the year awards at the British Jazz Awards.

A vibrant and charismatic performer on all four saxophones from Soprano to Baritone. As a member of the Jools Hollands Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, he has performed to 65,000 people at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff & also to over 100,000 at Glastonbury. Has appeared live on TV with Eric Clapton, David Sanborn, Tom Jones, Jamie Cullen etc.

Widely renowned for his cutting edge playing, Sam played with NYJO for several years. He now works regularly alongside Stan Tracy in his Octet, the BBC Big Band (with Joe Lovano at Brecon 2007), Mike Carr quartet , and many of the UK’s top jazz musicians.

Quentin Collins is currently a member of the Mike Garrick Big Band, Dylan Howe quintet, Jean Toussaint quintet. Recently seen on a nationwide tour with drummer Dylan Howe's band featuring Brian Edwards, and in with his own band featuring Michael Janisch and Jim Hart.

"Collins brings a bright crisply articulated Lee Morgan-esque intensity to proceedings ..and a soft, brassy lyricism" John Fordham, The Guardian

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. 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.

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.

Tonight is the last in our current Season and Lesley Christiane’s Birthday Party - expect a fanastic party.

Don Weller is one of these, along with Stan Tracey, 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. He led his legendary group "Major Surgery" for nine years playing his own compositions and went on to form a quartet with drummer Bryan Spring. He has long been a member of Stan Tracey's Octet.