Jean Toussaint

JEAN TOUSSAINT is an incredibly versatile American-born tenor saxophone player who has been an adopted Londoner since the late 80’s. Born in the US territory of the Virgin Islands his early musical appreciation was formed from playing calypso and this Afro-Caribbean influence is still visible in his upbeat playing style. Jean attended Berklee College of Music in the late 1970’s, developing a blistering technique and lyrical sound that has graced many great bands, from Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers through Wynton Marsalis, Gil Evans and the Julian Joseph bands to his own International quartet. A highly respected educator as well as performer, Jean has taught at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Trinity College of Music and the Birmingham Conservatory. His latest recording, “Tate Song” released earlier this year and produced and engineered by drummer Troy Miller, has generated enthusiastic reviews, All About Jazz saying that the record contains “a sumptuous feast of straight ahead jazz rooted in the hard bop/bebop traditions yet one that sounds utterly fresh”. His band tonight will feature drummer Troy along with pianist Bruno Heinen and Larry Bartley, bass.

“…brilliance, wit, verve and memorable, elegant, sax lines..." The Times;
“…terrific” Guardian