London Jazz Festival: Saxophone Summit: Mornington Lockett, Ed Jones, Chris Maddock & Gareth Williams Trio

This remarkable gig features a breathtaking 4-sax front line backed by Gareth Williams's exceptional piano trio, and has been a highlight of the London Jazz Festival/606 calendar since its inception. Showcasing the talents of four outstanding jazz saxophonists, each with a unique sound and approach, the evening celebrates one of jazz music’s essential instruments. This year’s lineup includes one of the UK’s leading tenor sax players, Mornington Lockett. A member of Ronnie Scott’s band, Mornington has worked with singer Sarah Jane Morris and the Tracey’s - Stan and Clark – and was the driving force behind the brilliant “Celebrating the Jazz Couriers” quintet. Ed Jones’ muscular and highly accomplished bop influenced tenor playing has been featured in a wide variety of contexts, most notably with the Jazz crossover groups “Us3” and “Incognito”. But his jazz credentials are just as solid, with work alongside artists such as George Benson, Dianne Reeves, Horace Silver and Claire Martin. A 2012 alumnus of Birmingham Conservatoire’s prestigious Jazz course, alto/tenor player Chris Maddock was handpicked by renowned bandleader/composer Clark Tracey for his quintet, touring extensively with the group and appearing on Clark’s album “Meantime”. A Yamaha Jazz Scholarship recipient, Chris also won the Mike Gibbs/BBC big band prize for Jazz Orchestra composition & arranging. Pianist Gareth Williams has unquestionably established himself as one of the country’s leading modern jazz pianists, working with Claire Martin, Jerry Bergonzi, Joe Lovano and more. And watch out for our yet to be announced Special Guest.

“Lockett…plays with tremendous fluency and drive” Evening Standard; "The vigorous, sometimes downright volcanic tenor sound of Ed Jones has long been one of the great live delights of British Jazz” Jazzwise; “Chris Maddock on alto sax is no greybeard, except in the way he plays his instrument - like a veteran!” Jazz Journal; “Williams…fantastic improviser” The Guardian