04/04/10

Vic Ash - Clarinet and Tenor

Simon Spillett - Tenor

John Critichinson - Piano

Alec Dankworth - Bass

Martin Drew - Drums

Master and pupil combine to produce an exciting quintet playing music in the modern mainstream tradition.

Clarinet and tenor player Vic Ash, a long standing member of the British jazz scene, began playing in 1951 and started his professional career with Kenny Baker, going on to play with Vic Lewis.  After forming his own quintet in the early sixties, he was also a member of the Johnny Dankworth band. He has been a veteran of the BBC Big Band for many years and has toured in the US and Europe.

Tenor player Simon Spillett won a BBC Jazz Award as ‘Rising Star’ in 2007 and was Jazz Journal’s Record of the Year with ‘Simply Red’ in 2008. Described by Steve Voce as ‘what Harry Allen and Scot Hamilton are to mainstream, Simon Spillett is to bebop,’, Simon took lessons from Vic Ash as a teenager. He is aregular member of Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra and has worked with people like John Dankworth, Alan Barnes, Tony Coe and Pete King.

Pianist John Critichinson began playing with the Avon Cities Jazz band before moving to London and joining the Ronnie Scott Quartet in the late 70s, staying until its demise in 1995. He was also a member of the well-known Morissey-Mullen band and has played with people like Chet Baker, James Moody, Joe Henderson and Johnny Griffin. In 1995 he formed a group with Art Themen and Dave Green before joining Simon Spillett in 2005.

Son of John,  Alec Dankworth is one of Britain’s leading bass players. Apart from being a member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet from 1998 -2001, he has palyed with such US stars as Mose Allison, Johnny Griffin, Marian McPartland and Clark Terry, as well as British musicians such as Stan Tracey, Courtney Pine and Tommy Smith. He has also ventured outside jazz to play with Van Morrison and the Royal Ballet and has his own trio.

Northampton born Martin Drew started playing drum s at age 6 and has been playing for more than 50 years. For twenty years he played with Ronnie Scott and was a member of the Oscar Peterson Trio. He has played with a complete A to Z of jazz stars from Al Cohn to Zoot Sims. Undoubtedly Britain’s leading jazz drummer, he is now co-leader of the New Jazz Couriers, playing tribute to the music of amongst others Michael Brecker, Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Scott and Clark Terry