Our program for Autumn 2024 is here!
Sept 27th – Nicola Farnon Quartet
Nicola Farnon is one of the UK’s top jazz and swing singers and double bassists with a rich
musical background. She regularly performs at top venues and festivals, tours internationally and has appeared on BBC Radio 3. Nicola has collaborated with jazz greats like Dave Newton, Digby Fairweather, Jim Mullen, and Alan Barnes. Known for her passionate style and charismatic stage presence, she captivates any audience.
“A remarkable performer, a fine singer and an outstandingly swinging and propulsive bass player with an outgoing personality to match. A sure fire hit!” – Humphrey Lyttleton
October 4th – Dave O’Higgins Quintet
Dave O’Higgins’ sax sound is very personal and recognisable, with a clear sense of melodic development and adventure. A popular performer with the public, with an excellent sense of pacing and presentation, he has a wide palette from Charlie Parker and Dexter Gordon, through to Stanley Turrentine and Michael Brecker. Dave cut his teeth as a sideman with Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra and wrote and produced the last Matt Bianco album, “Gravity”.
“A stunning player in the neo-bop vein, with an apparently effortless flow of coherent ideas, beautiful time and a highly developed harmonic sense.” – JAZZ GUIDE
October 11th – Chris Coull Sextet
Chris Coull leads his own band as the sextet launch their brand new CD “Live At the Ropetackle” – recorded last September in Shoreham. Featuring an all-star cast of Andy Panayi (sax), Mark Bassey (trombone), Terry Seabrook (piano), Paul Whitten (bass), Joe Edwards (drums) and led of course by the trumpet playing of Chris Coull himself; Expect a varied selection of 50’s and 60’s Bluenote records from the likes of Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, Hank Moberly and Kenny Dorham.
October 25th – Arnie Somogyi / Gideon Tazlaar
Formed following a chance musical encounter in Amsterdam, this special group combines the talents of one of the UK’s top bassists with one of the rising stars of European jazz. Arnie Somogyi’s music has featured on radio, television and in films and he has been nominated for both BBC Radio 3 and Parliamentary Jazz Awards. Dutch saxophonist Gideon Tazelaar studied at the Juilliard School of Music with George Coleman. He spends time between Amsterdam and New York, where he performs as a sideman with some of the biggest names in jazz including Wynton Marsalis, Eric Alexander and Dick Oatts.
November 1st – Geoff Simkins
Alto saxophonist Geoff Simkins has long been at the forefront of the British modern jazz scene producing several outstanding albums with the likes of Nikki Isles, Dave Cliff and Howard Alden. His west coast style is influenced by the American alto player Lee Konitz and tenor player Warne Marsh and Geoff is known throughout the UK for his unique and individual sound.
Tom Ollendorff is rapidly gaining recognition as one of the leading young jazz guitarists on the international scene. A graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music, he received the Yamaha Parliamentary Jazz Scholarship in 2016. His debut album, A Song For You (2021), earned international acclaim, leading to performances at renowned jazz venues across Europe, including Ronnie Scott’s and the London Jazz Festival. His latest album, Open House (2023), features his long-term trio with Marc Michel and Conor Chaplin, and includes saxophonist Ben Wendel on several tracks. The album has further solidified his global reputation. In addition to his work as a bandleader, Tom has collaborated with artists like Ari Hoenig and Tim Garland. Known for his distinctive blend of virtuosic technique and sophisticated harmonic concepts, he published his solo guitar book, Etudes, in 2022. Tom also teaches at the Royal Welsh College of Music and has been a guest tutor at prestigious institutions worldwide.
The band comprise Tom Ollendorf (guitar), Geoff Simkins (alto sax) Will Sach (bass) as well as regulars to St Andrews, Angus Bishop (drums) and Chris Coull (trumpet).
November 8th – Greg Abate
After a sell out concert last year, US touring alto saxophone legend and hard bop specialist Greg Abate makes his return appearance to St Andrews. Greg’s unrelenting schedule has seen him touring all around Europe and UK several time in the past few years, showcasing his ‘in-the-pocket’ be-bop playing. Greg started his career with the Ray Charles band before being asked to play with the Artie Shaw band. Since then he has gone on to lead his own groups as well as appear as a side man to such greats as Jerome Richardson and Charlie Parker’s trumpeter, Red Rodney.
November 15th – Nat Steels
Vibraphone virtuoso Nat Steels made his St Andrews debut back in March with a tribute to Lionel Hampton, and such was the audience enthusiasm we just had to get him back again! With a repeat of some of his Lionel Hampton material plus new material from modern jazz vibraphone legend, Milt Jackson this promises to be another evening not to be missed! With Chris Coull (trumpet), Terry Seabrook (piano), George Trebar (bass) and Joe Edwards (drums)
November 22nd – Paul Edis & Vasilis Xenopoulos
Paul and Vasilis are two of the UK’s finest and most prominent musicians and have collaborated together for over 20 years, so it is a great honour to welcome them both to St Andrews. The Guardian praised Saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos as a leading example of European musicians who live and perform in Britain. Paul Edis is one of the creative musicians in the UK today. With Chris Coull (trumpet) Nigel Thomas (bass) and Angus Bishop (drums)
‘One of the leading lights of contemporary jazz’ – London Jazz News
“One of the most fiery young saxophonists around blazes a path through the hard bop repertoire” (The Times) ★★★★
November 29th – Alan Barnes Octet
The Sound of the Baskervilles – A Sherlock Holmes Suite, exploring the characters, atmosphere and stories of Sherlock Holmes by means of readings, commentary, and original jazz compositions.
Award-winning multi-instrumentalist Alan Barnes is the composer, lead soloist, and narrator. He discovered Sherlock Holmes and Charlie Parker at the same time in his life and in his imagination, the pea-soupers of London’s Baker Street meld seamlessly into the reefer-smoke of the basement clubs of New York’s 52nd Street.
Alan Barnes- saxophones, clarinet, Bruce Adams- trumpet, Mark Nightingale-trombone, Robert Fowler- saxophones and clarinet, Andy Panayi- saxophones and clarinet, David Newton- piano, Simon Thorpe- bass, Clark Tracey- drums
This event is un-missable for anyone who likes Sherlock Holmes, swinging jazz, intrigue and mystery. Hail a Hansom or flag a cab – the game is afoot!
December 6th – Toni Kofi
We welcome back for a third time in as many years, the unmissable sound, energy and presence of the great Tony Kofi. His alto saxophone tone drips pure unadulterated be-bop and the sounds of those early pioneers of modern jazz are but a step away from the musical explorations abound in every solo! Don’t miss this end of year celebration of Jazz At St Andrews, with a swinging line up;
Tony Kofi – alto saxophone, Chris Coull – trumpet, Tim Wells – piano, Nigel Thomas – bass, Pete Cater – drums
