David Austin Grey

Piano/compositions

David Austin Grey is a UK based pianist, composer and educator. Having studied music at The University of Birmingham and Birmingham Conservatoire (studying with such musicians as Hans Koller, Liam Noble & Mike Williams), David is currently working with Hansu-Tori and freelancing throughout the UK.

In early 2013 David was able to work, perform and collaborate with the founding members of the grammy winning, high-energy American based band SNARKY PUPPY – namely Michael League, Bill Laurence and Robert ‘Sput’ Searight.  Over the last few years David has worked with a number of other well respected musicians including Soweto Kinch, Martin Speake, Stuart McCallum, Yazz Ahmed, Percy Pursglove, Eliza Shaddad, Michael Fletcher, Chima Anya, Musa Okwonga and New York based artists ‘ iLLspokinn‘ and Y? (aka.‘Why G?’)

Sam Wooster

Trumpet/electronics

Over the last few years Sam Wooster has become an important figure in the UK creative music scene. His energetic improvising style best characterises his unique approach to trumpet playing.

Graduating from Birmingham Conservatoire with a 1st class honours degree in jazz, Sam went on to win the 2009 Yamaha/Classic FM scholarship for outstanding musicians. Since then he has participated in countless musical projects all over the world including:

Neil Yates – “Surroundings” suite – Special commission project for Manchester Jazz Festival.

Jonathan Silk Big Band – “Uncouth” project – BBC Performing Arts Fund.

Richard Foote’s “Young Pilgrims” – Project commissioned by Jazzlines.

The Destroyers – (Glastonbury, Shambala, Buskers Bern – Switzerland, Artisti In Piazza – Italy)

Iceberg Quartet – (Paul Dunmall, Mark Sanders, Chris Mapp)

Gonimoblast – (Leafcutter John, Mark Sanders, Chris Mapp, Dan Nicholls)

Chris Young

Alto saxophone

Chris Young is saxophonist and composer based in Birmingham. Chris graduated from the Birmingham Conservatoire with a first class honours degree in jazz performance and now performs regularly around the UK. Chris is involved with various projects including Hansu-Tori, YBY trio, Lobbus, Jamboree, Tom Dunnet Quintet, Ben Lee Quartet, bass-less trio ‘Tumbleweed’ and Midland soul band ‘Antelope’. Chris also writes and performs original material with his own sextet and chord-less octet.

Nick Jurd

Double bass/electric bass

Nick Jurd comes from a vibrant arts scene in Birmingham. His experience as a sideman spans across many styles of music, having worked extensively with musicians and artists from all over the world. Apart from his work with Hansu Tori, notable examples of people Nick has played with include Andrew D’Angelo, Jeff Williams, Paul Dunmall, Stan Sulzman, Arabian Knightz, Ill Spokinn and Paul Murphy.

Prominent current projects include Soweto Kinch, The Destroyers, Trope, Jonathan Silk Big Band and occasional gigs with Richard Foote’s Young Pilgrims. More information is available at nickjurd.com

More information is available at nickjurd.com

Jim Bashford

Drum kit

Jim Bashford is a drummer and composer who resides in Birmingham UK.

He is a faculty member at the Birmingham Conservatoire Jazz Course, a course which he studied on back in 2004.

Jim is currently a sideman for numerous projects across the UK and leads his own quartet consisting of Hilmar Jensson, Tim Harries and Robin Fincker. The band are currently in the process of recording their debut album which will see the light of day in 2015 with a tour to follow.

For more info see jimbashford.co.uk

Nick Rundle

Tenor Saxophone

Named by Jazzwise Magazine as one to watch, Nick Rundle is a contemporary saxophonist based in Birmingham. Nick has been busy on the national scene for the last few years, building a reputation for a high level of musicianship and artistry. Recent exploits have included performances at a wide variety of festivals, ranging from Glastonbury, Shambala and Womad to the Birmingham, London, Cheltenham and Manchester Jazz Festivals.

Eliza Shaddad

Vocals

Born to Sudanese and Scottish parents, Eliza Shaddad is a descendent of a long line of artists and poets dating back to the 1800’s. Raised across Europe and Africa and now based in London, she writes and performs her own work alongside collaborations with artists such as Clean Bandit and Hansu-tori. 

Her recently released debut EP ‘Waters‘ was produced by Mercury Music Prize nominated Chris Bond, and released to wide critical acclaim on Beatnik Creative.

Adam Jackson

Alto Saxophone

Adam Jackson is a composer and saxophonist based in and around the Glasgow area. Adam began studying music at the age of 5, learning basic tunes on the piano. In high school he was selected to play trombone. In an effort to avoid carrying a trombone to school every day he managed to convince his teacher to let him try the Alto Saxophone instead. This led him to playing in various bands in the school, where he first discovered his love for jazz and improvisation.

At the age of 17, Adam moved to Birmingham, England to study at the Birmingham Conservatoire. It was here where Adam was lucky enough to study with some of the worlds most incredible musicians, including but not limited to, Julian Siegel, Jean Toussaint, Mike Williams, Hans Koller and Liam Noble. He also studied with visiting artists, such as Dave Holland, Dave Binney, Dan Weiss and John Hollenbeck. Upon graduating, Adam has performed with his own band at numerous venues including the renowned Cheltenham Jazz Festival. Since then he prefers more of a side man role, playing with the likes of Hansu-Tori, Euan Burton, Pete Johnstone and John Lowrie.