Mornington Lockett

The first person in the UK to gain a degree qualification for jazz saxophone (1983), saxophonist, composer and teacher Mornington Lockett moved to London to attend the Guildhall School of Music And Drama as a post-graduate and has been London based ever since. In 1989 he joined the Jim Mullen Quartet, which led to an invitation to lead his own quartet at Ronnie Scott’s Club and then to join the Ronnie Scott Quintet, with whom he toured the world. There then followed work with a host of high profile International artists, including Jimmy Smith, Arturo Sandoval, Jon Hendricks, Dave Weckl, Jon Faddis, Georgie Fame and Jack DeJohnette. Between 2000 and 2010 Mornington was busy working and recording with the late Martin Drew (Ronnie Scott) with their co-led group “New Jazz Couriers”, a tribute to the iconic Ronnie Scott and Tubby Hayes’ band. The ensemble released four critically acclaimed albums and won the 2002 British Jazz Award for Best Small Group. He was also an integral part of legendary British pianist and composer Stan Tracey's various bands for more than 15 years and includes work with the likes of UK based singers Claire Martin, Sarah Jane Morris and Ian Shaw on a remarkable cv. Mornington's fluent, creative and powerful post-bop playing is probably best known at the Club these days for his regular appearances here with the brilliant UK saxophonist Peter King, so it's nice to welcome him to the stage this evening leading his own group, although word has it that he may well have a Special Guest dropping by to help things along (we'll just have to wait and see…). Making up the quartet this evening will be the brilliant rhythm section of Mike Gorman-piano, Geoff Gascoyne-bass and Mark Fletcher-drums. Highly recommended.

"One of the country's most accomplished...improvisers" Time Out; "Saxophonist Mornington Lockett must be one of the most complete masters of the instrument alive today." The Observer; “World class” Jazz Journal; “Lockett…plays with tremendous fluency and drive” Evening Standard