Ray Russell/Mo Foster Project

From the late 60's and his work with the classic Jazz/Rock band "Affinity" to the present day, electric bass player Mo Foster has established himself as a highly respected session musician, record producer, composer, solo artist and author. In his stellar career he has worked with the likes of Jeff Beck, Phil Collins, Gil Evans, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Sting, Dusty Springfield and Geno Washington. In the studios he has performed on more than 400 albums for the likes of Gerry Rafferty, Brian May, Ringo Starr, Cher, Jose Carreras, Nigel Kennedy and Leo Sayer, and as a producer has worked on the albums of Dr John, Maria Muldaur and Gil Evans. Mo has composed and produced hundreds of titles for the major Production Music Libraries, co-wrote with Ray Russell the instrumental ‘So Far Away’ as well as co-writing with Ringo Starr. And if all that wasn't enough Mo also writes, his latest book British Rock Guitar being an amusing, anecdotal, semi-autobiographical description of rock’s early days in Britain. Mo is a recipient of a BASCA Gold Badge Award which honours those who have worked tirelessly to support the British songwriting and composing community. Ray Russell is a guitarist/composer who has had a truly exceptional career. He is primarily known for his session work - you will have heard his playing on David Bowie’s Space Oddity, Tina Turner’s Private Dancer and numerous other tracks with artists as diverse as Freddie Mercury, Gil Evans and Andy Williams. You will also have heard some of his vast array of award-winning soundtrack compositions, which include the theme tunes to “Bergerac” and “A Touch of Frost”. His 2013 release, “Now, More Than Ever” (the first in seven years) shows that his ability to weave and dodge with apparent ease between moods and styles is same as it ever was, and his gift for a melodic riff or phrase just as pleasurable to hear. Though Ray’s never been a household name, amongst his fellow musicians and aficionados he is heralded as one of the greats. This evening these two giants of the studio scene have got together to perform what Mo, the driving force behind this evenings music, describes like this: "The sound I was aiming for was Gil Evans in miniature. The music is partly tunes from my solo albums, and partly re-worked standards such as 'Django' and 'Pork-Pie Hat', plus some classic Gil Evans pieces. It should be a wonderful night, and the musicians are the best". And the musicians are: the iconic Chris Biscoe-sax, the terrific Geoff Castle-piano and the brilliant Nic France on drums. These guys very rarely perform together in public these days, so this is a truly special occasion not to be missed by fans of this music.

"Foster's elegant bass" Guardian; "Mo Foster...a legendary session bassist, producer and composer" Basschat; "I can’t think of anyone I’d rather listen and learn from." Bass Guitar Magazine; “Russell...a fearsomely gifted [guitar] player who relies on taste rather than speed” BBC Jazz; “Ray Russell...this unusual artist's identity – a fusion of raw R&B...and seductive lyricism” Guardian; “Ray Russell isn't merely a fine jazz player, but a truly original music thinker and an improvisational force to be reckoned with.” All Music Guide