Fleece Jazz

For three decades, drummer Tristan Banks has been a first-call sideman for ‘glitterati’ across jazz, pop and soul music.  Since 2021, confirming his deep jazz roots, he has also been curator and venue manager at The Verdict Jazz Club in Brighton, restarting the venue after its closure due to the global pandemic of 2020.  The Verdict has already received a nomination for Parliamentary Jazz Award Venue of the Year 2022.

In 2023, Ubuntu Records boss Martin Hummel, an admirer of both Banks’ versatility and his jazz soul, offered him his long-anticipated debut with the release of 'View from Above" to critical acclaim. Though predominantly jazz-led, elements of Latin and fusion influences can be detected, though this never betrays the core purpose.  The music is a unique combination of high-octane virtuosic performance and sublimely melodic composition.

Banks brings together his long-standing musical friends including multi-sax virtuoso Paul Booth.  From his early acclaim as a prize-winning saxophonist, Paul has continually refined and expanded his talents as a solo artist, composer, arranger and bandleader, whilst establishing an elite reputation as a first-call sideman for major contemporary music artists including Eric Clapton, Steely Dan, Carlos Santana, Van Morrison, Gregory Porter, Eddie Henderson, and so many more.

John Crawford was born in London of English/Spanish Parents. His father played Blues piano, and this is the first thing he learnt to play. His mother introduced him to Latin music of all kinds, and he has gone on to perform at Montreal Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scott's, Royal Festival Hall, the 606 club, and Royal Albert Hall amongst others.

Davide Mantovani is known on the scene as a bass player whose flawless technique never gets in the way of his natural feel & groove.  He has proven himself in the short time he’s been in the UK playing with Monica Vasconcelos, Ingrid Laubrock, Ian Carr’s Nucleus, Carol Grimes, Great Spirit, Roberto Pla and Antonio Forcione amongst many others.

 “A band of craftsmen playing the forms of acoustic jazz they relish, and their pleasure in that is infectiously palpable” - John Fordham (Jazzwise)

"Impressive sense of immediacy” - BBC Music Magazine

• Tristan Banks - Drums
• Paul Booth - Tenor Sax
• John Crawford - Piano
• Davide Mantovani - Bass

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.