Fleece Jazz

After a UK tour last year performing the music of legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, the Dean Stockdale Quartet returns to perform a new set to mark the centenary of his birth.  Considered a virtuoso and one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, Peterson released more than 200 recordings, won eight Grammy Awards, as well as a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy, and received numerous other awards and honours.  The show focusses on special new arrangements of Oscar’s music, in particular his original compositions and music from his most popular albums, showcasing his infectious swing and piano virtuosity, plus music from the quartet’s album ‘Celebrating Oscar’.

Dean Stockdale is a highly regarded jazz pianist, arranger and composer based in the North of England who is known for his sensitive, swinging style. He regularly appears around the UK with his trio and some of the best names in UK jazz. His biggest influences in jazz are the piano styles of Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Gene Harris, Mulgrew Miller and Erroll Garner. Dean continues to be in demand as a performer with his trio and quartet, and as pianist for touring jazz artists, accompanist for vocalists and as a teacher and session pianist. 2021 saw the release of his second trio album entitled ‘Promise the Moon’, which was featured on BBC Radio 3, Jazz FM and BBC Introducing.

Gavin Barras studied music at the University of Manchester, receiving private tuition from Roberto Carillo-Garcia and Corin Long. While studying classical music Gavin continued developing his love for jazz and received lessons from Steve Berry in jazz bass. Gavin has played with musicians such as saxophonists Tim Garland, Dave O’Higgins, Iain Dixon and Ed Jones; trumpeters Neil Yates and Steve Waterman; pianists Les Chisnall, Dan Whieldon, Rick Simpson and Zoe Rahman, to name but a few.

Gaz Hughes is a renowned jazz drummer and band leader, who first gained wide public attention as the original drummer in the Matthew Halsall Band. He has played a significant role in the early recordings of the Gondwana label and has been a highlight on the album "On The Go", which won the Best Jazz Album of the Year at the Gilles Peterson Worldwide Awards in 2012, and was nominated for the Best Jazz Album MOBO Awards in 2011.

Tim Williams is a Manchester-based guitarist who has also worked with both Gavin Barras and Gaz Hughes as part of the latter’s quartet. The addition of Williams has been described as “a very welcome bonus as he added even more colour and variation to the music and also proved to be a highly capable guitar soloist” according to Ian Mann in a review of the Gaz Hughes Quartet.

 “Stockdale’s playing is consistently engaging and uniformly excellent” - Ian Mann

“Stockdale’s approach is undoubtedly eclectic but already has its own identity and produces jazz of excellent quality” - Jazz Journal

• Dean Stockdale - Piano
• Tim Williams - Guitar
• Gavin Barras - Bass
• Gaz Hughes - Drums

Fleece Jazz is an independent, non-profit association run by a voluntary committee who have been providing modern and contemporary jazz for 28 years. They book talented musicians and jazz bands from the UK and beyond to perform at Stoke by Nayland Resort, providing the perfect backdrop for these cherished and popular events.

Fleece Jazz events are generally held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.