Simon Spillett Quartet [jazz]

“Straight-ahead, high energy jazz is his line and he does it with aplomb” – The Guardian
 

Over his twenty-five year career Simon Spillett has worn almost as many hats as it’s possible to wear within jazz; multi-award-winning instrumentalist (BBC Jazz Awards, British Jazz Awards, Jazz Journal’s Album of The Year), quartet and big band leader, recording artist, author, historian, record producer, archivist, magazine columnist, Social Media commentator and latterly blogger.

However, for all these varied skills he identifies most strongly as a powerfully swinging, straight-ahead tenor saxophonist, one capable of taking the audiences who hear him on a roller-coaster ride encompassing everything from energetic bebop to heartfelt balladry. In this guise, he’s become a solid fixture on the UK jazz landscape, regularly playing sold-out gigs at major festivals (Birmingham, Brecon, Swanage, Southport etc.) and world famous club venues (Ronnie Scott’s).

A charismatic performer, gifted with a dry observational wit, he’s never lost sight of the fact that jazz is entertainment as much as self-expression and whether playing, writing or articulately holding forth on his favourite subject – UK jazz history – he’s an infectiously passionate communicator.

Lineup
Simon Spillett – tenor sax
Matt Ratcliffe – piano
Alec Dankworth – bass
Pete Cater – drums