The Band
S-J:
VOICE
S-J is an effortless performer with a fantastic stage presence – mesmerizingly engaging with a silky smooth jazz voice. She evokes the true essence of an iconic jazz artist.
Since 2017, she has been the resident jazz singer at Franco’s, Jermyn Street, W1, a wonderful, intimate, speakeasy gig, which always sells out. Book in advance to avoid disappointment.
S-J has been working with incredibly talented jazz musicians for the past 10+ years and has had various Jazz residencies including Kensington Roof Gardens, The Soho Review Bar, Essence Bar, Profile Bar, Jazz Café Posk, The Prince, Belgraves Hotel, The Embassy Mayfair, The May Fair Hotel plus her own sell out show at Crazy Coq’s Cabaret, London
S-J has also played at high-profile private functions including Shoreditch House, The Mandarin Hotel, the May Fair Hotel and many more including a jazz festival in Doha.
SEAN HARGREAVES:
KEYS
Sean Hargreaves studied in New York with Barry Harris and at Berklee College of Music. He has appeared on national TV with Michael Buble, as well as working with Natalie Imbruglia, Alison Moyet, Olivia Safe and US3.
Sean recently contributed music to ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’ (BBC Films). Other commissions as composer include “My Fair Kerry” (ITV1), “Planet Action” (Discovery) and ‘Can I Make A Difference?’ (Aardman).
This year, Sean has produced an album for Richard Shelton, recorded at Capitol Studios in LA, as well as arranging for the BBC Big Band and Trevor Horn.
He has also co-written and co-produced an album for Polly Gibbons with Chaz Jankel, and co-produced for Rudimental singer Ella Eyre.
ALEX HUTTON:
KEYS
Alex Hutton is considered to be one of the leading new young pianists to have emerged on the UK scene over the past couple of years.
His latest album, Cross That Bridge, sees him debut as a leader within the album there are definite references to earlier piano trio styles although some of the compositions lean more towards European influences.
In studied music at the State University of New York, and then toured USA/Canada with soul/jazz band ‘Boy on a Dolphin’.
In ’97-98 he attended the Guildhall School of Music (post grad jazz course) on full scholarship. Since 1998, he has played with many of the UK’s finest modern/mainstream musicians (including Don Weller, Jim Mullen, Alan Barnes, Dick Pierce, Steve Waterman, Guy Barker, Gilad Atzmon, Christian Brewer, Art Themen, Ray Warliegh) and now regularly plays with S-J.
TIM LAPTHORNE:
KEYS
Tim Lapthorn is a highly gifted and exceptionally expressive young jazz pianist making his mark on the British scene. His bluesy, flowing, lyrical sound sets him apart from many of his contemporaries.
His music is accessible and open and his style very much his own. His extensive classical piano practice in a family home that required him to be quiet has had a major impact on his touch which can be delicate and feminine when others crash and bang.
His passion for harmony, especially Debussy and Ravel, is evident in his playing. His solos are marked above all by lyricism, conciseness, and total economy of statement.
Nick Kaçal:
DOUBLE BASS
Nick Kaçal is a Trinidadian of Anglo-Czech ethnic stock, and spent long periods as a child in Kenya and Mexico. This fusion of cultural experiences is reflected in his polymorphous approach to music, encompassing almost all genres, from bluegrass to jazz and classical to funk.
He is particularly interested in the rapport and communication inside ensembles, making the double bass a natural fit as his chosen instrument: its natural social, supportive and conversational role combines with its ability to fit in with so many genres of music. This philosophy also led to work as a producer and audio engineer, where his technical training in acoustics allows him to straddle the line between art and engineering. He currently spends half his time in London and half his time in Wales where he is setting up a residential recording studio facility specialising in acoustic music. He has worked extensively in the UK jazz and alt acoustic scene as a sideman and a bandleader, including a tour of Japan with his ensemble Guerillasound.
ANDY HAMILL: DOUBLE BASS
Andy has played DOUBLE BASS and BASS GUITAR with many artists including:
4 Hero, Laura Mvula, Eska, Natacha Atlas, Carleen Anderson, Annie Lennox, Kylie Minogue, Mark Murphy, Rebecca Hollweg, Rumer, Lou Rhodes, Ursula Rucker, Omar, Shea Seger, Larry John Wilson, Nitin Sawhney, Annie Ross, Chris Bowden, Duncan Lamont, Boris Grebenshikov, Tanya Wells, Mor Kabasi, Macadi Nahhas, Cara Dillon, Tracey Thorn, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Tim Minchin, Tim Vine, Lee Mack, John Hegley and Harry Hill.
Also on the odd occasion with Van Morrison, Georgie Fame, Tommy Smith, Labi Siffre, Jim Mullen, Didier Lockwood, Martin Taylor, Petula Clarke, Midge Ure, Will Young, Tony Hadley, Gary Bartz, Ernest Ranglin, Debashish Bhattacharya, Ibrahim Maalouf, Reggie Watts, Lisa Knapp, George Soule, Bonnie Bramlet, Charlie Dore, Karrin Allyson, Ballet Rambert, and The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britian
JAY DARWISH: DOUBLE BASS
Jay Darwish is a freelance Double Bass and Electric Bass player, Producer, Writer and Composer with years of experience in the industry playing all styles touring, sessioning and recording.
He has recently been concentrating on writing and producing for both myself and other artists.
Album out this year
ANDREA TRILLO: DRUMS
Having toured with Herbie Hancock – the US pianist & composer of legendary tracks like “Cantaloupe Island” & “Watermelon Man” – Andrea Trillo (originally from Rome, Italy) moved to London, where he has performed with many British jazz icons including Don Weller, Jim Mullen, Tony Kofi and Brandon Allen.
Andrea Trillo is a superlative drummer with a varied recording and performing career: in pop and folk music he has worked with Hazel O’Connor, Jerry Dammers (The Specials) and American folk singer Bob Martin. He also teaches drums and is a founder member of UtterJazz, drummer for the Miguel Martins Trio (from the Algarve) and runs Cambria Jazz in south London.
He has recorded on many CDs including Tim Richards’ straight ahead jazz album “The Other Side” (ranked in the top 50 albums in Japan by HMV!) and vinyl Jazz-Funk classic with the Wilkinson Brothers: “Kooki Kop” (Butterfly Records).