Fleece Jazz

Sharp Little Bones is a quartet of virtuosos playing brand-new compositions that are tight, energetic, catchy, and melodic. It is the brainchild of bassist and composer Simon Paterson who, together with drummer Andrew ‘Woody’ Wood and keyboardist Paul Deats forms the house band of Peggy’s Skylight, a multi-award-winning jazz venue in Nottingham.  Joined by multi-award-winning saxophonist Tony Kofi, they form a quartet of virtuosos playing compositions that reach deep within and far outside the jazz canon. Their sound has a fresh, contemporary appeal with compositions that are tight, energetic, catchy, and melodic. Well experienced in entertaining audiences, their sound has fresh, contemporary appeal: live acoustic forces rooted in bebop and blues, embellished with tasteful electronics and warm, analogue synth textures: an eclectic audio melting pot of jazz, funk, blues, and bop.

Simon Paterson is a composer and music technologist as well as a bassist.  He is Associate Professor of Music at the University of Nottingham and one of the region's most in demand bassists, having performed and recorded with the likes of Tony Kofi, Dennis Rollins, Nigel Price, Art Themen, Digby Fairweather, Alan Barnes, Greg Abate, Chris Ingham and many more. Paul Deats is a masterful pianist and keyboardist who was last at Fleece Jazz in 2024 with Bryan Corbett’s Quintet. Paul is also the co-founder of Peggy’s Skylight, Nottingham’s award-winning jazz venue. Andrew Wood works across a range of genres and has established himself as one of the most in-demand drummers in the East Midlands both on stage and in the studio.

Award-winning and internationally recognized saxophonist Tony Kofi is a regular visitor to Fleece Jazz.  Having honed his skills in the "Jazz Warriors" of the early 90's, he has gone on to establish himself as a musician, teacher and composer of some authority. He has performed with such acclaimed artists as the David Murray Big Band, Courtney Pine, US3 (Blue Note), The World Saxophone Quartet and Roy Ayers.  Tony has also recorded with Ornette Coleman and worked with Abdullah Ibrahim.

Expect to hear catchy post-bop, beautiful sax and bass-led melodies, spacious ballads, spiritual energy and expansive atmospheres, hard swingers, and groove-led pieces full of vibe. Within well-crafted, melodic writing and tight, rhythmical arrangements, there’s freedom for expressive solos and intuitive, group-led improvisation.

• Tony Kofi - Tenor Sax
• Paul Deats - Electric Piano
• Simon Paterson - Acoustic and Electric Bass
• Andrew 'Woody' Wood - 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.