The Pegasus Vanguard Marching Band

| Hong Kong

The Pegasus was founded by Mr. Ringo Leung Wing Kit, Mr. Leo Kwok Man Chiu and Ms. Eyo Li in January, 2010, with Mr. Steve Ulicny, the judge of Drum Corp and the International Educational and marketing consultant of the Pro-Mark to be the band consultant. The aim of the Pegasus is to promote Marching Band culture, in order to more HK citizens know more about it. The Pegasus also provides a platform to let students who are learning instruments to develop their professionals and interests in music. The Pegasus has won the Gold Medal of the first group of Hong Kong Marching Band Contest, and was invited by Malaysia to join the International Marching Band Competition in July, 2011.

Peter, Lee Kai Kwan |Hong Kong

Founder and President of Hong Kong Jazz Association.

Peter has more than 20 years’ experience in journalistic area and has become a jazz promoter since 1985; a jazz educator since 1993.  He was the promoter for the Live Under the Sky Jazz Festival in 1987.  Since then, he has been involved in many jazz and music festivals, such as being the Associated Program Director of the Jarasum Jazz Festival, Korea (2004-2007), founding member of the Asian Jazz Festivals Organization, Associated Program Director for Midi Music Festival in Beijing, China (2006), Founder and Director of Zhu Jia Jiao Water-Village World Music Festival (2007 & 2008), Founder and Festival Director of the Beishan International Jazz Festival 2010, Zhuhai, Founder and Festival Director of the Haikou Jazz Party 2010, Festival Director of the Guangzhou International Jazz Festival 2009-10, Festival Director and Consultant for the Beishan World Music Festival in Zhuhai 2011.  Peter is dedicating in jazz education.  Not only being a member of International Association for Jazz Educator from 1999 to 2008, he was the Lecturer on pop and jazz music for Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the University of Hong Kong and the Baptist University of Hong Kong, as well as being a Lecturer of the HKUSPACE program since 2002.  He also had a jazz music program in Guangzhou Radio 3 in 2003.  Peter has also been invited as guest at the Jazz in a Nutshell showcase 2007 and 2008, Jazz Ahead conference in Bremen, Germany 2009 and the Europe Jazz Network annual conference in Glasgow, UK 2009, the Dutch Jazz meeting in 2008 and Dutch Jazz & World Meeting in 2010, among others.

Poncho  Sanchez  and His Latin Jazz Bandfeaturing Terence Blanchard| USA

Poncho Sanchez | Lead Vocals, Congas, Percussion

Terence Blanchard | Trumpet

Tony Banda | Bass, Vocals

Ron Francis Blake | Trumpet

Joey De Leon, Jr. | Bongos, Percussion, Drums

Rob Hardt | Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone

George Ortiz | Timbales

David Torres | Piano

Francisco Torres | Trombone, Vocals

Poncho Sanchez & Terence Blanchard, with the backing of the Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band, have created a hot new project: Cubano Be Cubano Bop, a tribute to the legacy of the Original Conga King, Chano Pozo and his partner in Latin Jazz, Dizzy Gillespie.

In the late ‘40s Chano Pozo was at the top of his game. His rhythms descended from the ceremonies of his AfroCuban religion - Santeria. With Dizzy Gillespie, their 1947 Carnegie Hall concert literally changed the face of musical history and the course of American Jazz. Chano & Dizzy had created AFRO -CU BAN JAZZ, writing the standards, “Manteca,” “Tin Tin Deo,” and their performances on George Russell’s “Cubano Be, Cubano Bop” burst the genre onto the musical map in a major way. PONCHO SANCHEZ & TERENCE BLANCHARD have put together a program that recreates that seminal concert; the Afro-Cuban standards, their own compositions and fresh new collaborations.

Five-time Grammy Winner Terence Blanchard (born 1962) is an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, arranger, and film score composer. Since he emerged on the scene in 1980 with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra and then shortly thereafter with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Blanchard has been a leading artist in jazz. He was an integral figure in the 1980s jazz resurgence having recorded several award-winning albums and having performed with the jazz elite. He is known as a straight-ahead artist in the hard bop tradition but has recently utilized an African-fusion style of playing that makes him unique from other trumpeters on the performance circuit. However, it is as a film composer that Blanchard reaches his widest audience. His trumpet can be heard on nearly fifty film scores, more than forty bearing his unmistakable compositional style. Since 2000, Blanchard has served as Artistic Director at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz.

Poncho Sanchez (born 1951), a Mexican-American, is a conguero (conga player), Latin jazz band leader, and salsa singer. In 2000, Sanchez and his ensemble won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album for their work on the Concord Picante album Latin Soul. Sanchez is respected as one of the top American percussionists of our time. He performs frequently in venues varying in size from concert halls to local jazz festivals. His 2005 CD, Do It!, features the iconic funk band Tower of Power on two tracks as well as South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela.

Website：

http://www.ponchosanchez.com/

Roger Wang, Malaysia 馬來西亞

Tommy Ho 香港

Roger Wang

Malaysia’s most renowned finger-style master guitarist Roger Wang produces brilliant and exhilarating music with just six humble strings of an acoustic guitar. With eight collaborative albums and one solo albums under his belt, he has refined a brand of music that blends the accessibility of pop music with the intricacy of jazz.

Roger Wang 為馬來西亞最著名的結他手之一，曾灌錄了八張合作唱片，及一張個人作品。在馬來西亞及星加坡等地得獎無數。八歲開始學習結他，深受巨匠 Chet Atkins 及 Tommy Emmanuel 的影響，以鈎指彈法 finger style 聞名，把流行和爵士混得清爽怡神。除彈奏外，Roger 亦擔任唱片監製及 Kota Kinabalu 爵士音樂的節目總監。

www.rogerwang.net

Tommy Ho
Tommy Ho started playing guitar at 13, and furthered his studyat Dick Grove College of Music and G.I.T.(USA) with Masterslike Joe Pass, Larry Carlton, Pat Martino etc. Graduated in83, Tom started work as an in-house producer, arranger andguitarist for a number of major recording labels like WEA,Capital Artist, Fitto Entertainments, and BMG, etc here in HKfor almost 20 years. Recently Tom is back to his Jazz rootand starts gigging at local Jazz clubs with groups andmusicians from all over the world.

Tommy 十三歲開始彈奏結他，後到美國西岸的 G.I.T. 修讀，曾跟隨 Joe Pass，Larry Carlton，Pat Martino 等名匠學習。回港後在各大跨國唱片公司任監製、編寫及綠音工作近廿年之久。現除教學外亦投放較多時間在彈奏上，始終對爵士樂不離不棄。

Ronny Lau | Hong Kong

Ronny Lau is a wine-loving music critic and music-loving wine critic. He started both his music and wine columns in 1980s. He is now a free lance writer, with regular columns in 10 different magazines and newspaper in Hong Kong, mainland China and Malaysia. He is the Chairman of Greater China Wine Critics Association and the author of 5 wine books: "In Love with Wine," "Le Dialogue du Vin," "Around the Wine World," "All About Wine" and "It's a Wine, Wine World." The latest project "Music & Wine - The Perfect Matching," is a 6-CD compilation box set pairing music with wine. He is also a tutor for wine courses operating by Hong Kong Vocational Training Centre and Institute for Tourism Studies in Macau

RUM| Hong Kong

Tong KH | Guitar

Cheng CC | Guitar

Alex Au | Piano

Ah Sai | Bass

Steve Cheung | Drums

Li Gao Yang | Saxophone

Found by Alex Au and KH Tong in 2004, playing regularly at the 48th street Chicago Blues Bar, and member has participated at the Hong Kong Jazz festival 2005. Alex Au has been studying traditional music, majoring in composition, has written music for all sort of works from orchestra, chamber, film, dance, and multi-media presentation. He has studied with Ted Lo on improvisation. Guitarist KH Tong is a multi-instrumentalist, grown up with all kind of music from classical, metal, jazz to contemporary music. Now an active player as well as music educator. This time they have a very special guest from Beijing, Li Gao Yang, the young talented saxophone player.

RUSCONI| Switzerland

Stefan Rusconi | Piano

Fabian Gisler | Bass

Claudio Strüby | Drums

Rusconi Trio, who stormed the world at the Jazznojazz Festival in Zurich, 2006, was immediately praised as “The New Discovery” and was hailed as the new Esbjorn Svensson Trio after his passing in 2008.

Their music is harmonic and warm without appearing sterile while expressing an interplay of disunity and aesthetics.  Stefan Rusconi’s piano impresses with his rhythmic elegance and captivating harmonic magic.  They are young, fresh, stylistic, and innovative - but above all they are simply great performers. The trio is said to be the future of jazz.

Website:

http://www.rusconi-music.com

http://www.myspace.com/rusconimusic

Santi Wongsawat| Thailand

Santi Wongsawat, the director of International Jazz Festival Alliance Foundation (IJFAF) and the director of the Samui International Jazz Music Festival. The IJFAF is an initiative of foundation JazzNL. This foundation alreay succesfully initiated the Day of Dutch Jazz (www.jazzdag.nl), a professional network and showcase event with morethen 1000 Dutch and international jazzprofessionals. In 2011 Foundation JazzNL initiated anew event (www.jazznl.com), Gateway to the Dutch jazz network. The first edition drew morethen 600 professional and musicians with official delegations from Canada, USA, Norway,Italy, Spain, Kosovo, Russia, Siberia, Thailand, Taiwan and a large delegation of more than 35 professionals from India.

Signe Juhl Quartet, Denmark

Signe Juhl – Vocal

Bo Møller – Guitar

Niels Kvist – Bass

Casper Mikkelsen – Drums

Signe Juhl is born and raised on the west coast in Denmark. From an early age she began to play the piano and compose her own songs, inspired by the nature and the people around her.

At the age of 20 she entered The Academy of Music and Dramatic.  Signe was “discovered” by the former leader of the Danish National Big Band, Nikolaj Bentzon. Overwhelmed by her voice, a CD“Silvertongued” was recorded between them.  The release concert took place at the legendary jazz club “Montmartre” in the heart of Copenhagen.

Critics claim her to be the new rising star on the Danish jazz scene. Besides jazz, she is inspired by folk music from all over the world.

Website: www.myspace.com/signejuhl

Support:
  

Ichwanul Sjahriza Arsjad - Piano
Aditya Bayu Ariwibowo - Guitar
Endang Ramdan - Sundanese Drum
Cucu Kurnia - Metal Toys
Erlan Suwardana - Sundanese Drum
Adhitya Pratama Adhit - Bass

“simakDialog has real energy and chops and should go very far. Their music proved simakDialog to already be an exceptional group.” - Gary Gomes, All About Jazz

Keyboardist/composer Riza Arshad formed simakDialog in 1993. simakDialog is crossover of a melting pod between western jazz/rock/psychedelia and Javanese/Indonesian exotic rhythm riffs.  Arshad's keyboards and writing are phenomenal: frequently reminding listeners of some towering progressive jazz pillars, such as Weather Report, Pat Metheny Group and early incarnations of Chick Corea's Return To Forever.  That said, what distinguishes simakDialog from mere fusion jazz groups is the presence of Indonesian percussionist Endang Ramdan playing traditional Indonesian instruments and the group’s seamless integration of traditional classical Indonesian forms to fusion jazz. 

The band has performed extensively in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal and Germany.

simakDialog 由身兼作曲及樂隊領班的 Riza 在 1993 年組成。在多民族多元化的國度內，創作的塑材自然離不了歷史悠久，印尼獨有的傳統＇甘馬蘭＇音樂。從強烈宗教味道的遠古廟宇音樂，到上世紀的搖滾及迷幻，simakDialog 的音樂就把西方的古典/爵士/搖滾，和爪哇/印尼風情瑰異的節奏及短句融匯一爐，別樹一幟。出版了四張唱片，分別以最佳爵士樂唱片和最佳爵士樂唱片監制兩大獎。2007 年，唱片 Patahan 在 Moonjune 唱片公司旗下於世界各地發行，得到樂評人大力推崇。

http://simakdialog.com/

Simin Tander Quartet| The Netherlands

Simin Tander | Voice, Composer

Etienne Nillesen | Drums

Cord Heineking | Double bass

Lucas Leidinger | Piano

The Simin Tander Quartet represents a new sound in the European jazz landscape: mysterious, surprising, rhythmically varying and tenderly beautiful but at the same time strong and very pointy. This German-Afghan leader of the quartet sings “stories without words,” purely using her voice and a very broad palette of sounds. Besides her richness in sounds, she also uses contemporary lyrics in different languages and sometimes even creates her very personal “fantasy language.” Expressive, free improvisation united with delicate singer-songwriter elements with a hint of oriental mysticism are characteristics of her style. The Simin Tander Quartet reveals four creative musicians that form a very well balanced union; each with his own voice and ability to express it within Simin’s compositions.

“Music is an almost sacred space in which I can be ME,” says Miss Tander.

“A unique talent among young jazz vocalists.”--Sheila Jordan,AmericanJazzIcon

“Simin Tander is not a regular jazz singer. Her performance leans towards to art...She distinguishes herself from every other singer because she combines guts and initiative with her versatility and close to perfect control of her voice to make herself stand out way above the others.”--Rinus van der Heijden,Chief Editor of Jazzenzo

Website：http://www.simintander.com

SIU2| Hong Kong

Ng Cheuk-yin |Sheng, Keyboard

Cass Lam | Sanxian

Jason Lau | Zheng

Peter Fan | Piano

Siuming Chan | Bass

Lawrence Tsui | Drums

SIU2, a locally bred band, presents a novel experience of Hong Kong music with their original and unique style. Their works challenge people’s inherent concept about Chinese music and create a new genre fusing modern and traditional, Chinese and western elements. SIU2 has been creating innovative new music that, with its eclectic fusion of colourful and sometimes bizarre city soundscapes, produces the band’s unique and unprecedented style that flows effortlessly through jazz, rock, classical Western and Chinese themes. SIU2 is a post-modern harmony that epitomizes Hong Kong.

Through invitation by the Hong Kong Arts Festival, SIU2 performed their original music in a concert titled Sheng It Up in 2008 and published their first album OPEN DOOR in the same year. In April 2010, SIU2 staged two concerts of Sheng It Up 2 and released the new album KonFusion.

Website: http://www.flowermusic.hk/

Søren Bebe Trio, Denmark

Søren Bebe - piano

Anders Mogensen - drums


Kasper Tagel - double bass

”One of the most fantastic jazz albums of recent years….Nothing less than a masterpiece!…” (Gaffa, DK)

Søren Bebe – piano

Danish jazz pianist and composer Søren Bebe founded the Søren Bebe Trio in 2007.  Four releases and a great deal of concerts later,  the band is better and busier than ever.  Their latest third release (August 2013) features the great Marc Johnson on double bass.

As a pianist and composer, Søren Bebe draws on a wide range of inspirations from American and European jazz, as well as contemporary classical music to rock, pop and folk-music. It all blends in this band, creating the unique Søren Bebe Trio-sound.

Already released a handful of records as a leader and even more as a sideman, and in 2001 Søren Bebe  won the competition “Young Nordic Jazz Comets” award.

Kasper Tagel – double bass 

Danish bassplayer and composer residing in Copenhagen, Denmark. released his highly acclaimed first soloalbum ”Silent Journey” in 2006.   He plays with a beautiful lyrical approach to the instrument, and a strong grounded beat. Graduated with diploma from the ”Conservatory of Funen” in 1998, and has been an active part of the music scene ever since. In 2003 he was awarded the prize ”Jazz musician of the year” and has also received several other local and national prizes for his work.

Anders Mogensen – drums

Since entering the Danish jazzscene in the early 1990 ́s, drummer Anders Mogensen has been one of the most sought after musicians on the Danish as well as the International Jazz scene. He has been a member of ground- breaking bands such as When Granny Sleeps, Jakob Anderskov Trio and Copenhagen Art Ensemble. He has toured and recorded with Jazz Greats such as: Bob Berg, David Liebman, Steve Swallow, Marc Johnson, Brecker Brothers, Django Bates and Ray Anderson.

Website:

www.sorenbebe.dk

www.sorenbebetrio.com

Stouxingers| Germany

Katharina Debus | Vocals

Michael Eimann | Vocals

Gregorio Hernández | Vocals

Karsten Müller | Vocals

Thomas Piontek | Vocals

Konrad Zeiner | Vocals

Creating more than just their own mix of Pop, Jazz and R&B, these voice experts represent extraordinary vocal performance. The Stouxingers, founded by Michael Eimann, their composer and arranger, have won fans at concerts and a cappella festivals throughout Europe and Asia.

The group ranks among the top a cappella ensembles from Germany, enchanting juries of such international competitions as “Vokal Total” in Graz (AT), winning two “Ward Swingle Awards” and three “Golden Diplomas” (Jazz, Pop, and Open Category) as well as the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA), the so-called Grammy of the a cappella scene.

“Six Voices”, a song from the Stouxingers album “Nothing is Real”, was the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA) winner of "Best Jazz Song of the Year" in 2008. The album itself was selected as the second best Jazz album of the year worldwide in 2009 the group recorded a soundtrack for the film “Mensch Kotschie”. An a cappella symphony is also in the works, as well as a jazz version of Handel's “Messiah” in collaboration with the Klazz Brothers.

“The German vocal jazz-pop-soul-folk group, Stouxingers, makes some of the most mesmerizing and compelling music on the planet.” --Thomas King, CASA Ambassador

Website: http://www.stouxingers.de

4 Oct 2015 Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Piazza C

Bernard Laurent, Guitar結他

Rachel Laurent, Wind and brass銅管樂

Esther Laurent, Brass and guitar結他/銅樂

Odenson Laurent, Trombone長號

Sacha Laurent,  Guitar結他

BROSSE是由一家六口的名字砌成的，孩子們起初學習古典音樂，很快便在雙親的陪伴下玩奏吉卜賽爵士樂，自2010年到今天已曾在歐洲、美國、中國及海地等國家演出了過百場的音樂會。曾在巴黎音樂學院主辦的 “音樂家庭比賽”中嬴得獎項，更經常舉辦工作坊等活動在兒童間推廣爵士樂。

Swing Brosse System are comprises Bernard, Rachel, Esther, Odenson and Sacha all in their teenage. They started learning classical music, but soon play in a band of gypsy jazz accompanied by their parents, and the name BROSSE is formed by the initial of their names . Since 2010 they have performed 100 concerts in several countries: France, Italy, Switzerland, China, USA and Haiti. They performed during important festivals such as “World music Beishan festival” in China and “International Jazz Festival of Port-au-Prince” in Haiti. They also won awards like in the  “Musical Contest Families” of the Paris Conservatory. With their association with “Swing Without Borders”, the band also conducted various activities to introduce jazz to children around the world.

http://swingbrossesystem.com

Tango Jazz Quartet, Argentina 阿根廷

Gustavo Firmenich - Tenor Saxophone and Clarinet
Alejandro Beelmann - Drums
Federico Hilal - Bass
Gustavo Corrado - Piano

“ It is the first time that I hear a fusion of Jazz and Tango that works and makes sense…” - Richard Galliano

Tango Jazz Quartet mixes the melodic and rhythmic patterns of Tango with the harmonies and improvisation of Jazz.  Its leader GustavoFirmenich has recreated the performances which were common a few decades ago in Buenos Aires, where dancing eveningsboth with Tango Orchestras and Jazz Bands were organized. He found that there was one musical aspect which was clearlydifferent between the two : the improvisation. Up to now, the group has recorded three CD’s. The first one was presented in aconcert with the great accordionist Richard Galliano. Since then, the band has tour around South Africa, France, Switzerland,Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Italy.

從南美遠渡重洋來到香港獻技的探戈爵士四重奏，是今屈香港國際爵士音樂節另一焦點所在。探戈和爵士的混合聽來像是種新穎的融和品種，但原來在上世紀四至五十年代的布宜諾斯艾里斯，觀眾在欣賞探戈音樂之同時，亦有爵士樂隊同臺演出。在引進新興音樂形式作推廣之同時，兩種音樂也有不少共同處，最明顯的原素便是｀即興＇。Gustavo Firmenich 有鍳於此，在二千年時便把兩者結合，組成了探戈爵士四重奏，前後出版了三張唱片，更邀得手風琴名匠 Richard Galliano 為演出嘉賓。樂隊自此便開始在拉美之外演出，及受到國家文化外務局的認同和支持，到歐洲多國及南非等地巡演，推行這阿根廷獨有的、浪漫和具挑戰性的音樂。

http://tangojazzquartet.com/la-banda/somos/?lang=en

Ted Lo and The Jazz Strings Ensemble
with special guests Justin Lo, Elaine Liu, Marsha Yuen, Howard McCrary|

Hong Kong / USA

Ted Lo | Piano

Jack Greminger | Drums

Scott Dodd | Bass

And the vocalists and the jazz strings ensemble

Berklee educated local jazz hero and pianist Ted Lo has performed with Joe Lovano, Tania Maria and the Ron Carter Quartet, among other greats. He is also a composer, arranger, songwriter, and producer in genres other than jazz.

Ted Lo, has been living and working in New York for many years, returned to Hong Kong in 1995 and has since emerged as the most prominent local jazz pianist. His musical talent is impeccable and his timing, always accurate. He is the motor that keeps HK jazz moving to this day.

This time round, he will be arranging a full program featuring promising young vocalists mixed with veteran singer from the States, establishing itself as the largest jazz string-ensemble programs in Hong Kong’s history. This exercise should definitely be interesting.

Howard McCrary| USA

Howard McCrary is a Grammy Nominee, recipient of The ASCAP Duke Ellington Award, has recorded and worked with such artist as Quincy Jones , Michael Jackson,  Nina Simone, Ringo Starr, Diana Ross, and Julio Iglesias to mention a few. He has also appeared in such movies as Tom Hanks’ Lady Killers and composed and performed with Jose Carreras and the Beijing Orchestra for China's Green Peace, Hear My Plea. As well as composed the first song in the world to be sung by one million VStar Children called Change The World.

Elaine Liu | Hong Kong

Elaine is Hong Kong’s premier and most in-demand jazz vocalist. Her smoky, alluring voice can be heard regularly on radio and television, jazz venues, as well as concert halls. She has also played and toured in China and represented Hong Kong in both Singapore, Taiwan Jazz Festivals. She is also the first vocalist in Hong Kong who performed with the legendary Duke Ellington Orchestra in 2010. Elaine Liu is that rare artist who is supremely talented across a range of creative interests. But her deepest love is reserved for her career as an Asian jazz singer, who has found her own voice and brings the sensibilities of both east and west to bear in an entirely original way.

Marsha Yuan| Hong Kong

Justin Lo | Hong Kong

Lo was born in Syracuse, New York, and moved to Hong Kong with his parents when he was two years old. Lo grew up in a family where music has always played an important role. His uncle, Ted Lo, is a famous music arranger and jazz pianist in Hong Kong. The singer song writer developed vast interest in music as he was growing up. Justin released his debut CD in 2005 and filled up the Hong Kong Coliseum in 2006 with 3 shows.  Justin just needs one year to go from his first album to the live shows in HKC, which many singers need a life time to achieve. After receiving various awards and performed countless concerts in the last few years, Justin decided to leave Hong Kong, and resided in Beijing for another musical journey.

1st Violin

Ayako Ichimaru

Doris Yip

Daniel Chan

Sophia Teng

Cai Ying Qiong

Louie Lai Lai

Eiko Hosaka

Yang Yu Si

2nd Violin

Le Hoai Nam

Winty Wan

Tsai Loo

Alvin Chan

Jasmine Pang

Fanjia

Jonathan Yuen

Luo Wei Min

Viola

Elvis Chan

Cas Ho

Cecilia Ho

Fung Siu Man

Otto Kwan

Raymond Han

Cello

Laurent Perrin

Monica Su

Karey Ho

Eric Yip

Bass

Justin Siu

Teddy Suen and Friends | Hong Kong

Teddy Suen graduated at the G.I.T. and studied composition and arrangement at The Grove School of Music. As a professional guitarist, Suen has played and toured for the last 3 decades, and now the consultant and producer for several record companies in Hong Kong. As an educator, Suen has more than 20 years of teaching experience, and many of his students now became professional musician, teacher, artist and composer, taking major role in the music business here in Hong Kong.

The Asaf Sirkis Trio, UK/Greece/Israel 

Asaf Sirkis - drums/compositions

Kevin Glasgow - electric bass

Tassos Spiliotopoulos - guitar

Asaf Sirkis, drums/compositions

One of the greatest drummers and percussionists of our time, Israeli born Asaf Sirkis grew up in Rehovot, near Tel Aviv. Its multicultural community shaped Asaf’s understanding of music and rhythm. Asaf began his career as a musician, playing with different young bands spanning Klezmer to Jazz Rock.

He settled in London in April 1999, quickly establishing himself in the vibrant UK Jazz and world music scene.

In 2000 formed the seminal Orient House Ensemble with Gilad Atzmon, recorded seven albums including  ‘Exile’ that won ‘Best Album of the Year’ at the BBC 2003 Jazz Awards.  Since 2006, Asaf started a unique collaboration with acclaimed saxophonist/composer Tim Garland and pianist Gwilym Simcock. They have released four albums to date and toured the world with their Lighthouse Project. Asaf remains one of the hardest working musicians, boasting an incredible discography and a who’s who of collaborations. These, among others, also include Larry Coryell,  Jeff Berlin, Chick Corea,  John Abercrombie, Bob Sheppard, Mark Egan, Dave Liebman, David Binney, Gary Husband, John Taylor and Kenny Wheeler, etc.

Tassos Spiliotopoulos, guitar

Originally from Greece, Tassos Spiliotopoulos moved to London. During the past few years Tassos has been touring with his own band as well as numerous other creative projects, performing in clubs and festivals in the UK, Germany, France, Greece, Sweden, Spain and USA. He has worked with Kenny Wheeler, Gary Husband, Asaf Sirkis, Tim Garland, John Parricelli, John Etheridge, etc.

Kevin Glasgow, electric bass

Kevin Glasgow was born in Inverness in 1983 and moved to Northern Ireland when he was 9 years, where he started learning guitar and began playing bass at 16, and study Popular Music at Napier University in Edinburgh. Whilst there he played regularly on the Edinburgh jazz circuit. Since graduating, he has played internationally at venues such as Ronnie Scott's, the 606, Dizzy's Club in NYC, and festivals in Edmonton, Edinburgh, Glasgow and the London Jazz Festival. He has performed with Tommy Smith, Tony Monaco, Clark Tracey, Joe Locke, and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (featuring soloists such as John Scofield, Bill Evans, Randy Brecker, and Peter Erskine).

"This kid is a freak. He plays a six-string bass, and he does everything — taps, sweeps — and that’s sweeping on a six-string bass"-Frank Gambale

Website: 

www.asafsirkis.co.uk

tassos-spiliotopoulos.com/

www.kevinglasgow.co.uk/

The Buzz Bros Band, The Netherlands

Marnix Busstra - guitars, electric sitar, bouzouki

Berthil Busstra - Fender Rhodes, keyboards

René Dissel - double bass

Marc Schenk - drums

“…adventurous, freely interpreted electric acoustic funky jazz ………….”

The Buzz Bros Band, a Dutch jazz quartet, is an initiative of guitarist Marnix Busstra and his brother pianist Berthil Busstra.  In its first decade, the band has played all over the world, including Europe, India, China, and Indonesia.    The music of the band is inspired by a myriad of musical styles, periods, and cultures, ranging from Miles Davis’ sixties jazz, to pop and soul music from the seventies, and music from India, Ireland, Africa, and Asia.

Website: www.buzzbrosband.nl