Saxophonist Jake McMurchie is one of Bristol's best known jazz musicians.  His diverse CV includes the award-winning and internationally recognised Get The Blessing, the atmospheric ambient electronica of Michelson Morley, the freewheeling improv of Nick Malcolm's Out Front, the joyous melodicism of local supergroup Uphill Game, and the driving groove-bop of The Jazz Defenders, pianist George Cooper's quintet which has played throughout the UK and Europe.  And some may remember that the young Jake McMurchie formed What Four with pianist Jonathan Taylor, releasing their debut CD "Dawn to Dusk" in 1996. The two were strongly influenced by the Loose Tubes generation of players, and especially by the ground-breaking quartet Perfect Houseplants featuring Mark Lockheart, Huw Warren, Dudley Phillips and Martin France.  

And so we're very pleased to be able to bring Jake and Huw together (Huw being one of Jake's musical heroes) for tonight's gig.  Huw Warren is a major figure in UK jazz with a formidable breadth of influence and output.  He has a longstanding collaboration with singer June Tabor and, together with Ian Ballamy, they make up Quercus, a beautiful folk-jazz trio which has released two best-selling albums on the ECM label. Huw also has a longstanding interest in Brazilian music, has performed alongside the legendary composer Hermeto Pascoal, and released the album "Hermeto +" in 2009 featuring Pascoal's compositions.

With Jake and Huw are the fantastic Danish bass player and Frome resident Henrik Jensen, and local legend Andy Hague.  Andy is known as a brilliant trumpeter, composer, band leader and promoter, but his ability on drums is too often overlooked so we're delighted to have him behind the kit for this special evening!