Smitty's Big Four

This swinging band, styled as the "feisty little brother" of the “Kansas Smitty's House Band” (who have also played several fantastic gigs at the Club), is led by expatriate American saxophonist and clarinettist Giacomo Smith. Although relatively new to the UK, Giacomo has already made quite an impact on the swing scene as a fluent and authentic clarinet player, as well as an excellent modern jazz saxophonist. The band tonight will focus predominantly on the music of Sidney Bechet showcasing the 30’s and 40’s upbeat swing style of his home city, New Orleans. The Big Four's unique combination of trumpet/vocals- Pete Horsfall, soprano sax/clarinet-Giacomo, guitar-Dave Archer and bass-Fergus Ireland, separates the band from traditional Dixieland groups with the omission of piano. As Giacomo explains, "This streamlined formation allows the band to navigate New Orleans and swing standards with unparalleled energy and tightness while maintaining the melodic integrity of the canon". Although all these young players are also well known on the modern jazz scene they are extremely enthusiastic about playing this fun, good time music, which they do extremely well! And joining them tonight (making this the biggest quartet in the World!) will be Kansas Smitty’s drummer Pedro Segundo, a dynamic force of nature behind the kit who is also the house drummer at Ronnie Scott’s. Guaranteed to be a highly entertaining evening.

“a lively, friendly, swinging, civilized new band playing approachable music…Bandleader clarinettist/sax Giacomo Smith, from the upper reaches of the Hudson in New York…[his] sound and presence are a welcome addition to the London scene…definitely a band to watch out for” LondonJazz News