Mark Nightingale & Simon Woolf

For those who like their jazz straight ahead and swinging, performed by some of the finest musicians on their instruments in the jazz firmament, this gig is definitely for you. Trombonist Mark Nightingale is an internationally acclaimed jazz soloist, highly respected writer, and one of the UK’s most in demand studio musicians. He began on trombone at age of nine, playing in his teens first in the Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra and then the prestigious National Youth Jazz Orchestra before studying at Trinity College of Music, London. A recognised master on his instrument, by the early 90's he had already been asked to perform and teach in the US, Germany and around Europe. A fluent and immensely creative jazz musician Mark is also one of the UK's most prolific studio professionals, including work with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Sting, Henry Mancini, Tony Bennett, Peggy Lee, Cleo Laine, John Dankworth, Kenny Wheeler, Stan Tracey, Lee Konitz, George Shearing, Georgie Fame, Charlie Watts, Steely Dan, Cher, Tom Jones, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney and Elton John on a massive cv. And if all that wasn't enough he is also a highly respected writer and arranger, with commissions from groups such as LSO Brass, The New Trombone Collective, and London Brass. Mark’s compositions have been featured at International Trombone Festivals around the world and Cleo Laine was so taken with one of his compositions, ‘Just Once More’, that she put lyrics to it and recorded it live at Carnegie Hall! A lyrical and sophisticated musician, Simon Woolf is widely considered to be one of the most fluent and creative jazz double bass players in Europe. Recently featured alongside international players from across the globe at one of the World's leading double bass conventions in Copenhagen, Simon has enjoyed long associations with many leading US and UK jazz musicians. Artists he has performed with over the years include US stars Benny Golson, Harry Allen, Grant Stewart, John Colianni, Ruby Braff, George van Eps and Howard Alden as well as leading UK musicians such as Bobby Wellins, Geoff Simkins, Dave Cliff and Peter Jacobsen. Simon is also an active teacher and writes and arranges for both his own and other ensembles with which he is associated. The music tonight promises to be a fantastic mix of classic jazz standards with some of the leaders’ wonderful originals thrown in. Making up the rest of the quintet are, unsurprisingly, some of the best straight ahead players in the country, including Osian Roberts (Cedar Walton)-sax, the brilliant Jim Watson (Manu Katche, Sting)-piano and Sebastiaan de Krom (Jamie Cullum)-drums. Highly recommended.

“…spirited, melodic and swinging.” Observer; “Nightingale displays an impressive technique, an attractive tone and the ability to think fast. His own compositions are so smooth and logical that they could be mistaken for standards” AllMusic; “Award-winning modern jazz trombonist, who allies some fast phrasing to an engaging and inventive post-bop style” Time Out; “Woolf…a lyrical third voice” LondonJazz News; “Special mentions for Simon Woolf’s excellent bowed melody on ‘Spring is Here’….outstanding” Jazzwise