Hugh Pascall + Gareth Williams

HUGH PASCALL is a Nottingham-born award-winning trumpet player. After completing his studies at both the Paris Conservatoire and the Royal Academy of Music in 2005, picking up both the Sir Elton John Scholarship and winning the Scott-Fulbritzer Jazz Prize in that year, he has gone on to establish himself as a performer, teacher and composer of considerable talent. A regular performer with a number of musicians considered to be at the more “cutting edge” of the jazz scene, including the likes of James Allsopp, Tom Challenger, George Crowley, John Turville and Tim Giles, Hugh is also a fluent player in the more straight-ahead approach associated with the hard-bop musicians of the 50’s and 60’s, and it is this quintet that he will be bringing to the Club this evening. Playing a mix of classic jazz standards and originals written in that hard-bop style Hugh will be joined on the front line by the excellent saxophonist Mike Lesirge. A fluent and powerful player Mike is not only an impressive jazz saxophonist but also includes credits as a Musical Director, composer and arranger on an extensive cv that encompasses work with the likes of Roberto Pla’s Latin Ensemble, Django Bates, Billy Cobham and Hermeto Pascoal. Completing the line up will be the perfect trio for this style of music, Rob Barron on piano, Spencer Brown, bass and Nick Smalley, drums. This will be the quintet’s first gig at the Club and we are looking forward to a great night of swinging music from some of the finest players on the scene.

GARETH WILLIAMS’ “POWER TRIO” Gareth has unquestionably established himself as one of the country’s leading modern jazz pianists. A fiery and creative player his remarkable talent has been seen with an impressive array of world-class artists, from Jazz/Hip Hop band “US3” through to internationally-renowned jazz musicians such as Joe Lovano, George Coleman, Dave Liebman, Iain Ballamy and Jim Mullen. MD for iconic UK vocalist Claire Martin, Gareth has been featured at the Club on many occasions, most notably in his regular appearances with iconic US sax star Jerry Bergonzi who was so taken with his playing that he announced over the mic “I love this guy’s playing so much, tomorrow we’re going to go out and choose curtains!” Widely regarded as a pianist of international stature, Gareth is also an accomplished guitarist and has a great voice too, so if you’re lucky he may just sing a song or two! Tonight Gareth's "Powertrio" is completed by two exceptional British musicians, Laurence Cottle (Al Jarreau, Seal) on Bass and Ian Thomas (Eric Clapton, Sting) on drums. Fantastic modern jazz piano playing.