Fleece Jazz

In a 20-year career James Allsopp has been a featured performer and recording artist for an incredibly diverse range of musicians. He has played in concert and on albums by legendary artists such as The Last Poets, David Axelrod, Dr John and Mulatu Astake, for European jazz luminaries such as Django Bates, Nostalgia 77, Kit Downes and Polar Bear, on more commercial albums by Jamie Cullum and Jorja Smith and as featured soloist in a wide range of compositions by composer Brian Irvine. James’s debut album was nominated for BBC Jazz Award for Best Album 2007, and he won the BBC Jazz Award for Innovation 2008. He currently teaches at the Royal College of Music.

This is a new project inspired by the music James grew up listening to; a salute to one of his all-time saxophone heroes – Stan Getz.  James’ quartet will present an interpretation of some repertoire highlights from the saxophonist’s remarkable 45-year career.  There is a wealth of top-quality music associated with Stan Getz, from lush ballads and bossa novas to swinging standards and bebop compositions. They have chosen a varied programme reflecting this range of material and have interpreted the music respectfully but not reverentially, allowing it to breathe and feel natural for our time.

Colin Oxley studied at the Guildhall School, graduating in 1990. In that same year he won ‘Best Soloist’ in the National Big Band Competition and has gone on to pursue a highly successful musical career. As a long-standing member of Stacey Kent’s group, he recorded several albums as well as touring extensively, including appearances at the Montreux and North Sea jazz festivals and residencies in New York and San Francisco.  He is currently a member of Steve Fishwick’s Quartet, the Dave Newton Quartet, Mark Crooks’ Quintet, the Back to Basie Orchestra, John Wilson’s Orchestra, Steve Kaldestad’s Quartet, Simon Thorpe’s Swing Band and Eriko Ishihara’s Quintet. Colin has also performed with American legends Scott Hamilton, Harry Allen, Hod O’Brien, John Bunch, Houston Person, Warren Vache, Jeff Hamilton and Bob Dorough, as well as many of Britain’s top players.

Oli Hayhurst studied jazz at the Royal Academy of Music under the legendary Jeff Clyne, graduating in 2000. Since then, he has worked in various bands, including Pharoah Sanders' quartet for all his concerts in Europe from 2012 until 2022.  In addition, he has played on over 80 albums with jazz artists, singer-songwriters and world music artists, as well as film soundtracks and music for TV.

Dave Storey has established himself as one of the leading drummers and first call sidemen on the London jazz scene. He is well known for his big, rolling sound on the drums and his work as a bandleader releasing three albums with his eponymous trio confirming their status as a leading ensemble on the UK’s bristling creative jazz scene.

“Perhaps the most gifted British saxophonist of his generation, not to mention the most adaptable.” Underscore music magazine

"An incredible night of music and it is hard to imagine that anything else played last night in London (the opening night of the London Jazz Festival) was comparable. Jazz at its very best!” Alan Hayward

• James Allsopp - Tenor sax
• Colin Oxley - Guitar
• Oli Hayhurst - Double Bass
• Dave Storey - 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.