Fleece Jazz

We are in for an evening with jazz royalty, but royalty with a lovely sense of humour. Alan Barnes has been at the forefront of British jazz since 1980 and his musicianship and sense of humour have made him hugely popular in jazz clubs and festivals across the UK and beyond. He is best known for his work on clarinet, alto and baritone saxes, where he combines a formidable virtuosity with outstanding musical expression.

Mark Nightingale is a composer and an arranger who has played and recorded with Ray Brown, Cleo Laine, Steely Dan and Henry Mancini and hundreds more musicians.

James Davison is an award-winning flugelhorn and lead/jazz specialist, recognised with the Worshipful Company of Musicians Young Jazz Musician of the Year award (2018) and the Smith-Watkins Trumpet Award at the Royal Academy of Music (2016). He now enjoys a busy and varied freelance career, performing with the Mark Nightingale / Alan Barnes Sextet, the award-winning Misha Mullov-Abbado Group, and his own ensembles.

After studying at the Royal Academy of Music Jeremy Brown is now one of the leading bass players in the UK. He has been a regular member of the Peter King Quartet (with Stephen Keogh and Steve Melling) and of Gerard Presencer's 'Platypus', and has worked with stars such as Louis Stewart, Johnny Griffin, Art Farmer, Mornington Lockett, Brad Mehldau and Mark Turner.

Over his career Ian Thomas has worked in almost every musical style playing everywhere from basement jazz clubs to Madison Square Garden and has recorded with some of the most successful artists in the world. He began playing drums at the age of 12. After joining the National Youth Jazz Orchestra in 1985, which lead to numerous London gigs, Ian was asked to play on his first major session in 1987, ‘Kissing a Fool’ by George Michael for the album ‘Faith’. He toured with Seal in 1990 for two years playing live and recording. Since then Ian has gone on to tour with artists such as: Mike Oldfield, Tom Jones, Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler and his recording career has included albums with Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Robbie Robertson, BB King and Chrisse Hynde to name but a few.

• Alan Barnes - Saxes
• Mark Nightingale - Trombone
• James Davison - Trumpet
• Graham Harvey - Piano
• Jeremy Brown - Bass
• Ian Thomas - 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.