A brilliant line-up brings us the joyous music of the Clark Terry-Bob Brookmeyer Quintet back in the 1960s – swinging, expressive reworkings and orginals.

James Davison (trumpet), Callum Au (trombone), Sam Watts (piano), Misha Mullov-Abbado (bass), Matt Skelton (drums)

Led by two highly regarded young jazz musicians, trumpeter James Davison and trombonist Callum Au, the band is inspired by the much revered US outfit from the 1960’s, the Clark Terry/Bob Brookmeyer Quintet. They split their programme about equally between Terry/Brookmeyer material and compositions by Callum and Jim themselves. The emphasis is on fun, swinging, music bringing the atmosphere and vibe of 50’s and 60’s jazz to life for the modern day.

Trumpeter James Davison, an MA graduate of the Royal Acadamey of Music, winner of the Worshipful Company of Musicians Young Jazz Musician of the year (2018) and the Smith-Watkins Trumpet Award (2016), pursues a busy and varied freelance career based in London. He was lead trumpet with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and work includes supporting the likes of Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Concert Orchestra, the Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Patchwork Jazz Orchestra and Pete Long’s ‘Jazz at the Philharmonic’ band, as well as his own bands.

Callum Au, who is in demand as an arranger as well as for his considerable skills as a trombonist, has built a stellar reputation on both fronts, performing with artists such as Joss Stone, Seth MacFarlane, Liane Carroll, Tim Minchin and Peter Erskine, and writing arrangements for the likes of the BBC Big Band, Jamie Cullum, Clare Teal, and the Swingle Singers as well as his own eponymously named Big Band.

Sam Watts, pianist, last appeared at BJazz in 2022 (Dime Notes). Living in London, Sam has performed and recorded with many great artists, including Jean Toussaint, Jason Miles, Jason Marsalis, Ray Warleigh, Abram Wilson and Judi Jackson. His own debut album Mime Music was released in 2017.

Misha Mullov-Abbado featured in our 23/4 Season (Higgins/Luft Band). He is an award-winning, London-based jazz bass player, composer and arranger Misha Mullov-Abbado, a BBC New Generation Artist and with three critically acclaimed albums on Edition Records under his name.

Matt Skelton is a familiar face at BJazz, a teacher and band leader in many forms, he has a diverse musical career over the last 3 decades, accompanying many international jazz luminaries, and performing on multi-continent international tours.