Bands

Here are some of the bands I am playing with currently. Bombay Bop has its own page on the site. To book a band for a party, wedding, or other event, please see the Function Bands page.

Timeline

Timeline are a contemporary jazz quintet playing a mixture of my originals, modern classics, and lesser known numbers that interest us. The band was formed by Mike and myself to explore a mutual interest in good postbop compositions. The repertoire includes numbers by such masters as Pat Metheny and Wayne Shorter, alongside lesser-known classics by composers such as Amancio d’Silva and Mike Mainieri, and the guys humour me by playing some of my more offbeat numbers. The line-up is Mike Sagrott (guitar), Dave Jago (trombone), Tony Gooderham (Piano), Geof Harris (bass) and Simon Harwood (drums).

The Bollywood Brass Band

The Bollywood Brass Band is the UK’s pioneering Indian-style wedding band, playing the great tunes and compulsively danceable rhythms of Bollywood. Twice nominated for Songlines World Music Awards, we have performed all over the world – in venues, at festivals, and for Indian weddings. We play both amplified stage sets, sometimes with projections or a dancer (or both!) and in a street formation, and are equally at home headlining a festival or delivering exciting workshops in schools. Gig highlights have included WOMAD, the Purcell Room, King's Place, Oslo Opera House, St Mark's Square in Venice (for Carnival), festivals such as Roskilde, Sziget and Rudelstadt, and the BBC Blue Peter prom.

Hogcallin'

Hogcallin' are an 8-piece ensemble, dedicated to exploring the musical legacy of Charles Mingus. With fours horn and piano, the powerhouse rhythm section of John Edwards and Steve Noble, and the up front vocals of Helen Mcdonald, the band uses improvisation and spontaneity to expand and rework arrangements of his tunes. Our aim is to dig deep into the spirit, not just the notes. Oh yeah!

Mostly Monk

As well as being one of the most gifted, idiosyncratic and instantly recognisable pianists in jazz, Thelonious Monk was a great composer whose tunes were as unique as his playing. Mostly Monk celebrate the centenary of his birth with a selection of our favourite Monk compositions, ranging from the well-known to the obscure. Dave Jago (trombone), Phil Walton (saxes), Tony Gooderham (piano), Jose Canha (bass) and Simon Harwood (drums)

The Sidewinders

The Sidewinders are devoted to the music of the golden era of jazz from the late 50s and early 60s exemplified by the output of the famous Blue Note label. New York musicians such as Kenny Dorham, Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley, and Horace Silver started to incorporate elements of soul, R’n’B, Latin, blues and gospel into their hard-driving jazz, with tight arrangements and an eye to engaging the audience. We celebrate this style with tunes from these masters and more. With a trombone and tenor front line, we also delve into the catalogue of the Jazz Crusaders, the pioneers of this line-up. Expect solid grooves and great tunes. Dave Jago (trombone), Bob Peachey (saxes), Tony Gooderham (piano), Jose Canha (bass) and Simon Harwood (drums)

Other bands

You might also find me out and about with Helen and the Horns (we still get together occasionally, and play a mixture of old and new material). I play mainstream jazz with the Ron Spack Trios at the Oakwood in Eastwood, and with Glyn Morgan at Jazz Centre UK, traditional jazz with the Martin Clayden Swing Band, Hugh Rainey, and others, and improv with the London Improvisors’ Orchestra and various small groups. I am also a member of 40 Feet Forward, a big band playing only original charts.

Check out the Function Bands page for the Rawhides, the Jazz Genies, and King Toadfish and the All Weather Riders.