Thursday evening 22 March @Seven Arts Doors 7.30pm £16/14 (NUS £5)

Derek Nash sax, David Newton piano, Geoff Gascoyne bass and Sebastiaan de Krom drums

If you’ve heard Jools Holland’s Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, you’ll have heard Derek Nash. He’s a prominent member. But to get some idea of the sheer breadth of his accomplishment as a saxophonist, composer and bandleader, you should hear this band. From smooth cool to groovy funk, to ingeniously recast standards, to one quite gorgeous ballad, the music fizzes with energy, even at its most restrained. Pianist David Newton, bassist Geoff Gascoyne and drummer Sebastiaan de Krom complete the band, and it all goes to show what four brilliant jazz musicians can do when left to get on with it.

Derek Nash s a featured soloist with the Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra and has been a full-time member since 2004. He is leader of the British Jazz award-winning Sax Appeal and also co-leader of funk/fusion band Protect the Beat. 2013 and 2014 saw Derek touring with Cream legend, Jack Bruce, and USA smooth jazz star, Brian Culbertson. Derek is a master of all saxes from soprano to baritone and is renowned for his energetic, vibrant, passionate and charismatic performances.

Dave Newton was voted best Jazz Pianist in the British Jazz Awards for the thirteenth time in 2014. He has been the pianist of choice for Carol Kidd, Marion Montgomery, Tina May, Annie Ross, Claire Martin and spent nearly 10 years with Stacey Kent. He’s recorded with Buddy De Franco, Alan Barnes and Martin Taylor as well as a solo artist recording for the Linn, Candid and Concorde labels. Becoming a professor at Leeds College of Music in 2016, Dave is the epitome of melodic, swinging piano.

Geoff Gascoyne was Musical Director for Jamie Cullum appearing on 3 albums and performing at prestigious venues from The Albert Hall to the Hollywood Bowl. Geoff’s diverse career has seen him perform with the great opera singer Willard White to appearing in Anthony Mingella’s “The Talented Mr Ripley” starring Matt Damon and Gwyneth Paltrow. He has performed with, among many others, Guy Barker, Georgie Fame and, within his many performances at Ronnie Scotts, has performed with The Charles Mingus Big Band and Michel Legrand. With 6 solo albums in own right, Geoff is one of the most respected and in-demand bassists in the UK.

Sebastiaan de Krom is a professor at Leeds College of Music, played for many years with Jamie Cullum appearing on the multi-gold selling albums, Pointless Nostalgic and Twentysomething and touring the world for several years, performing everywhere from the Hollywood Bowl to the Royal Albert Hall. He has worked with Guy Barker, Gene Harris, Kurt Elling and Michel Legrand, and is the maestro of effortless swing.