January 30th : Simon Spillett (Sax) - Cygnet Theatre

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 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.

And it’s in this guise that he’s become a solid fixture on the UK jazz landscape, regularly playing sold-out gigs at major festivals (EFG London Jazz Festival, Brecon, Swanage, Scarborough, Wigan 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.

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February 27th : Matt Hopkins (Guitar) - Cygnet Theatre

Matt Hopkins is a jazz guitarist renowned for his inventive and melodic playing across a diverse range of musical projects. He has collaborated with notable artists and ensembles, including Andy Sheppard’s Hotel Bristol and Emily Wright & The Royals, showcasing his versatility and commitment to the jazz genre.

As a leading figure in the "Music of Pat Metheny" project, Matt performs alongside acclaimed pianist Dave Newton, delivering interpretations that capture the essence of Metheny's work. His role in the Hopkins-Hammond Trio further highlights his adaptability, blending guitar seamlessly with organ and drums to explore the dynamic range of the organ trio format.

Beyond performance, Matt is a dedicated educator specializing in jazz improvisation, sharing his expertise with aspiring musicians. His contributions to the jazz community extend to live performances at venues such as Jazz at Future Inn, where his solos have been described as "amazing," reflecting his skill and passion for the art form.

March 27th : Dave Newton (Piano) - Cygnet Theatre

Growing up in Renfrewshire, Scotland, Newton had a musical upbringing with the piano trio sound of Peterson, Tatum or Garner an ever-present feature in the Newton household.

After graduating from Leeds College of Music in 1979 David Newton freelanced around Yorkshire and eventually became a resident musician at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough for two and a half years. A move to Edinburgh followed where theatre work using local musicians quickly led to an established position on the Scottish jazz scene but after some four years there, his old roommate from college, Alan Barnes, persuaded him to move to London where he rapidly became a much sought after pianist teaming up with Barnes, guitarist Martin Taylor and saxophonist Don Weller.

Newton’s recording career had begun in 1985 with Buddy De Franco and Martin Taylor and his first solo album was released in ’88 in association with producer Elliot Meadow who oversaw the next nine years of recording for Linn Records followed by Candid Records. Once again, in 1997, David Newton and Alan Barnes teamed up and together with Concorde Label agent Barry Hatcher, made four CDs for that label. By 2003, Newton had learned a great deal of the ways a record company operated and he set up a business partnership with former pupil Mike Daymond and they established “Brightnewday Records” initially as a vehicle for Newton’s own music but with an eye to opening up the catalogue to other artists later on.

In the first five years of the nineties, Newton’s reputation as an exquisite accompanist for a singer, spread rather rapidly and by ’95 he was regularly working with Carol Kidd, Marion Montgomery, Tina May, Annie Ross, Claire Martin and of course Stacey Kent, with whom he spent the next ten years recording and travelling all over the world. While all this was going on, Newton was composing music which he would record on his own CDs as well as writing specifically for Martin Taylor, Alan Barnes, Tina May or Claire Martin and Newton’s music can now be heard on many television productions, especially in the United States where over twenty TV movies benefit from Newton’s haunting themes.

In 2003, after a twenty year gap, David Newton was reunited with playwright Alan Aykbourn having been involved with eight world premiers in Scarborough and London back in the early eighties, and he was asked to write the music for two new productions, ‘Sugar Daddies’ and ‘Drowning on Dry Land’. Currently, with the release of a new CD called “Portrait of a Woman”, on the ‘Brightnewday’ label, David Newton is relishing the musical freedom of his Trio and the special sound it makes whilst working on two other new recording projects, as an arranger and a composer.

David Newton was made a Fellow of Leeds College of Music in 2003 and in 2019, was voted ‘Best Jazz Pianist for the sixteenth time by the Jazz audience of the UK in the British Jazz Awards!

April 24th : Sam Crockatt (Sax) - Cygnet Theatre

Sam Crockatt has been immersed in jazz since the age of 10, starting on clarinet with early influences like Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, and Jimmy Noone. A switch to saxophone soon followed, drawing him to the music of John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, and Wayne Shorter—a turning point that cemented his passion for the art form.

A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, Sam has performed at prestigious venues across the UK, including Ronnie Scott’s, The Royal Albert Hall, The Jazz Café, and The Sage Centre. His international appearances include six performances at the Paradise Jazz Festival in Cyprus and teaching at the Global Music Foundation Summer School in Tuscany, where he worked alongside US piano great Edward Simon. Sam has also graced festival stages such as Brecon Jazz, where he played alongside Pete King and Julian Argüelles.

Known for his lyrical tone and imaginative improvisation, Sam’s critically acclaimed albums, including Mells Bells and Howeird, showcase his talent as a composer and bandleader. Whether on stage or in the studio, Sam Crockatt continues to inspire audiences with his vibrant, soulful approach to jazz.

June 26th : Joanna Eden (Vocals) - Mathews Hall

Joanna Eden is an acclaimed English jazz singer, songwriter, and pianist celebrated for her original compositions and interpretations of jazz standards. Born in Lincolnshire to a musical family, she began piano at six, composed her first song by seven, and earned a degree in Creative Arts before immersing herself in London’s vibrant jazz scene.

Her debut album, A Little Bird Told Me, launched at Ronnie Scott’s, and her follow-up, My Open Eye, was re-released globally by Universal, earning praise from critics and airplay on BBC Radio. Joanna has performed at top venues, including The Stables and Pizza Express Jazz Club, and supported high-profile acts such as Jamie Cullum, the Buena Vista Social Club, and Ronan Keating.

Praised by Mojo magazine for her “melody, mystery, and bite,” Joanna’s six albums span jazz, soul, blues, and bossa nova. Beyond performing, she is a passionate educator who mentored a young Sam Smith. With her heartfelt lyrics, warm stage presence, and world-class musicianship, Joanna continues to captivate audiences and cement her place in contemporary jazz.

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July 31st : Greg Abate (Sax & Flute) - Mathews Hall

Greg Abate jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer continues as an International Jazz/Recording Artist with 225 days a year touring the globe. In the mid 70’s after finishing a four year program at Berklee College of Music, Greg played lead alto for the Ray Charles Orchestra for 2 years. In 1978 Greg formed his group Channel One which was a favorite in the New England area and from there had the opportunity to play tenor sax with the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra under leadership of Dick Johnson from 1986 to ’87. Following this experience Greg ventured out as post hard bop soloist playing Jazz Festivals, Jazz Societies and Jazz Clubs throughout the U.S. Canada and abroad, including most of Europe, UK, and Moscow and Georgia Russia.

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September 4th : Byron Wallen (Trumpet) - Cygnet Theatre

Byron Wallen was raised in a musical family, and as a child studied classical piano, euphonium, trumpet, flute and drums. In the mid 1980’s the trumpet became Wallen’s primary instrument of choice.

Wallen’s study of cognitive psychology has aided his transition towards conceptualising music as a medium for healing. Wallen raises awareness and invokes change by unlocking boundaries through the nature and science of sound.

Widely recognised as a seminal figure in Jazz, Wallen is an acclaimed writer and producer whose original scores have been commissioned by the Science Museum; PRS, The BBC, Jerwood Foundation, Southbank Centre, National Theatre, Arts Council, FIFA and Sage Gateshead. He has also composed soundscapes for Universal Pictures, Warner Bros and Game of Thrones.

Wallen’s current PRS for Music Foundation commission, ‘Anthem for Woolwich’, forges new links between schools, venues, musicians and residents to strengthen the resilience and promote the cohesion of the community.

Wallen has received the BBC Jazz Innovation award (2003) and has been nominated several times for the MOBO award.