Al Nicholls and Jo Fooks Quintet with Ted Beament, Val Manix and Buster Birch at The Concorde

AL NICHOLLS - has for the past 20 years or so made countless solo appearances in jazz clubs and festivals up and down the UK. After graduating from Leeds College of Music he served his time in jive and blues bands including King Pleasure, the Big Town Playboys and Ray Gelato, and has run the 'Swing Band' Blue Harlem for many years. Al favours the big open tenor sax sound and free-blowing methods of the Texas Tenors of yore.

JO FOOKS

Jo Fooks, born in Edinburgh, began learning the saxophone at 15. In 1992 she won 'The Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year'. Inspired and encouraged by local Edinburgh musicians, Jo went on to study saxophone at the Guildhall School of music in London (1995-99). She also studied at the Berklee School of music in Boston after receiving a full fee scholarship for the summer jazz programme.After recording her debut album "Here and Now!", the legendary British trumpeter Humphrey Lyttelton invited her to join his eight-piece band. With whom she toured and performed in some of the most amazing theatres and venues in Britain. Humphs fun filled and melodic approach to music was to be a huge influence. And through performing in his band Jo also recorded and worked with Acker Bilk and played alongside Tina May, Joe Temperley, Scott Hamilton, Elkie Brooks,and many others.Jo's other influences include Illinois Jacquet, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gorden, Cannonball Adderley and Bill Evans. Her mellow tone is often compared to Stan getz and Zoot Simms.Jo began to compose her own music in2004 after learning and analysing a wide variety of Jazz standards. She currently gigs in and around the London area and her teaching positions have included tutoring the RAF bands men (2000-2006)....

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AL NICHOLLS - has for the past 20 years or so made countless solo appearances in jazz clubs and festivals up and down the UK. After graduating from Leeds College of Music he served his time in jive and blues bands including King Pleasure, the Big Town Playboys and Ray Gelato, and has run the 'Swing Band' Blue Harlem for many years. Al favours the big open tenor sax sound and free-blowing methods of the Texas Tenors of yore.

JO FOOKS

Jo Fooks, born in Edinburgh, began learning the saxophone at 15. In 1992 she won 'The Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year'. Inspired and encouraged by local Edinburgh musicians, Jo went on to study saxophone at the Guildhall School of music in London (1995-99). She also studied at the Berklee School of music in Boston after receiving a full fee scholarship for the summer jazz programme.After recording her debut album "Here and Now!", the legendary British trumpeter Humphrey Lyttelton invited her to join his eight-piece band. With whom she toured and performed in some of the most amazing theatres and venues in Britain. Humphs fun filled and melodic approach to music was to be a huge influence. And through performing in his band Jo also recorded and worked with Acker Bilk and played alongside Tina May, Joe Temperley, Scott Hamilton, Elkie Brooks,and many others.Jo's other influences include Illinois Jacquet, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gorden, Cannonball Adderley and Bill Evans. Her mellow tone is often compared to Stan getz and Zoot Simms.Jo began to compose her own music in2004 after learning and analysing a wide variety of Jazz standards. She currently gigs in and around the London area and her teaching positions have included tutoring the RAF bands men (2000-2006).

Buster Birch, studied drums and percussion at the University of London and later at the Guildhall School of Music. He moved to New York where he gigged and continued his studies at the drummers collective in Manhattan and privately with Jo Morello (from Dave Brubeck's famous quartet). He has since performed in over 30 countries with various orchestras, Jazz groups and other world music ensembles. His drum style reflects his enthusiasm for all music and has a distinctive latin flavour.

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