Protect the Beat

PROTECT THE BEAT is made up of five of the finest jazz funk experts on the scene; Derek Nash, sax (Jools Holland, Dave Grusin, Sax Appeal), Winston Blissett, bass (Massive Attack, Jeff Lorber), Dave Ital, guitar (Level 42, Tom Jones), Arden Hart, keys & trumpet (Bootsy Collins, Massive Attack) and Darby Todd, drums (Dennis Rollins, Lion King). With such a fantastic group of players, it’s no surprise that the band has been described in the music press as "the strongest live act within the genre in the UK at this time” and that their latest CD “Intrepid” was at the number 1 spot of the independent UK Jazz Chart for 11 weeks! With numerous festival appearances to their name including The Capitol Jazz Festival (USA) and two memorable shows at Brecon Jazz, “Protect The Beat” have certainly left an impression with their inimitable brand of jazz/funk. To quote the title of their debut album, "It Ain't Dinner Jazz".

“Their live shows are an explosion of energy with the ebullient Nash leading his team of crack session players through a series of full on, unashamedly funky tunes” TheJazzMann.com