ANDRA SPARKS - VOCALS Andra has performed in a wide variety of musical
setting ranging from orchestras and bass ensembles to small groups and big bands. Her interest in poetry and lyrics
naturally drew her towards the jazz repertoire, where she has been particularly influenced by musicians such as Norma Winstone,
Kenny Wheeler, Peggy Lee and Shirley Horn. At Banff in 1998 she worked with Hugh Fraser, Kenny Werner, Dave Leibmann and Kenny
Wheeler, singing in Wheeler's 'Sweet Sister Suite'. Andra recorded her first album 'People We Once Knew' with Nick Weldon,
Trevor Tomkins, Jeff Clyne and Iain Dixon in 1999 and her second - 'Your Time' in 2003 with Russell van den Berg on saxes.
She is the narrator on Nick Tomalin's story 'Molly and the Owl', a project to introduce young people to jazz improvisation
NICK WELDON - PIANO Nick has a first class degree in French and Philosophy from Keele
university but was introduced to jazz at the age of seven by his stepfather, trumpeter Ron Weldon - and turned professional
in 1979. He has played with many visiting Americans such as Johnny Griffin, Sonny Still, Harold Land, Eddie Henderson and
Dewey Redmond. Nick has worked with many well known singers: Carol Kidd, Annie Ross, Jimmie Witherspoon, Sheila Jordan, Mark
Murphy, Christine Tobin and Trudy Kerr. He has two trio albums - 'Lavender's Blue' and 'Live at the Albert' - featuring Andy
Cleyndert and Paul Clarvis. As well as composing, arranging and songwriting, Nick writes satirical and humorous poetry. He
has his own independent record label Verge. His current passion is playing the double bass. Professor of Jazz piano at Trinity
College of Music and the Royal Academy, he is an experienced workshop and music course organiser.
JEFF CLYNE - DOUBLE BASS Jeff played in the 1950s with Stan Tracey, Ronnie Scott, Tubby
Hayes and the Jazz Couriers and in the 60s with avant-garde bands Spontaneous Music Ensemble and Amalgam with John Stevens
and Trevor Watts. He recorded 'Under Milk Wood' with Stan Tracey. He worked with Gordon Beck, Ian Carr, Tony Kinsey, John
McLaughlin and Tony Oxley. As a member of Nucleus he played the Newport Jazz Festival and Village Gate in the 1970s. Jeff
has worked with singers Blossom Dearie, Annie Ross, Norma Winstone and Marion Montgomery and visiting American artists: Lucky
Thompson, Zoot Sims, Phil Woods, Jim Hall, Lockjaw Davis, Tal Farlow and Toots Thielmans. He has recorded with many major
musicians. He is an experienced teacher and organiser of music courses and is Professor of Bass and Jazz Studies at both the
Guildhall School of Music and the Royal Academy.
TREVOR TOMKINS - DRUMS Trevor studied orchestral percussion at the Guildhall in London
in the 1960s. He is a regular figure on the British jazz scene and has worked and recorded across the rnage of musical fields
from the King Singers to Bing Crosby's album in the 1970s. He has played with many visiting American artists: Lee Konitz,
Art Farmer, Pepper Adams and singer Blossom Dearie. Trevor is an experienced teacher and organiser of music courses. He is
a Professor of Jazz Studies at the Guildhall School of Music and the Royal Academy.
ART THEMEN - SAXES Art has been a major player on the British scene since his days at Cambridge where he studied medicine
in the late 50s. He was involved in the early British blues movement playing with Alexis Korner and Jack Bruce. Aged 18 he
represented the UK in an international band in the Zurich Festival. In the 1960s and 70s he was a member of Michael Garrick
and Graham Collier's bands. In 1974 he began a long association with Stan Tracey where they played all over the world. As
well as having his own bands,he has played and toured with musicians such as Nat Adderley, Ian Carr, George Coleman, Al Haig
and Red Rodney. Worldwide tours include Chicago, Middle East, Far East, Australia and most European Festivals. Art is one
of the few individuals who has managed to combine both his careers as a distinguished, individualistic player and orthopaedic
consultant.
MARK LOCKHEART - SAXES Mark is acknowledged as one of the most distinctive saxaphone voices in the UK today. He came
to prominence in the mid 80s with 'Loose Tubes' and after recording with various small groups, formed his own group in 1989.
He formed Perfect Houseplants with Huw Warren and Dudley Phillips in 1991. As well as working with Robert Wyatt, Jah Wobble
and Prefab Sprout, Mark is a prolific composer with groups and commissions including his own group 'The Scratch Band'. Mark
is the recipient of many composition commissions and plays with guitarist John Parricelli, Django Bates' Delightful Precipice
and Seb Rochford's Polar Bear.
RUSSELL VAN DEN BERG - SAXES Russell started originally on the clariet and studied at Leeds. He won
the Daily Telegraph Young Jazz Award for three consecutive years for composition and band leading - and cites Mark Lockheart,
Tim Garland, Mike Walker and Kenny Wheeler as some of his major influences. While at the Guildhall Postgraduate course he
won the BBC Radio 2 Big Band Soloist Award and has continued winning national competitions since. Russell has played with
Carla Bley, Kenny Wheeler, Stan Sulzmann and Phil Woods. He composes for both classical and jazz ensembles and has been part
of many other groups: Lawrence Cottle, Steve Waternam and Clark Tracey's Quintets, Londond Jazz Orchestra and the Kenny Wheeler
Sextet. His own projects have included players such as John Parricelle, Henry Lowther, Mike Walker, Time Giles, Robin Aspland,
Phil Peskett and others. He has three solo project albums. Russell is a Professor of Jazz Studies at Trinity College and the
Royal Academy.
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