Jazz Jurassica

Simon Spillett is a multi award-winning tenor sax player known for his electrifying live performances. His playing bristles with high octane energy, often at breakneck speed, taking its inspiration from the legendary sax player, Tubby Hayes.  His playing has been variously described as “extraordinary”, “blistering”, “powerful”, and “breathtaking”.

His repertoire is firmly rooted in the classic sound of 50s and 60s British jazz. His sharp suit and narrow tie coupled with a full set of droll one-liners harks back to the best Ronnie Scott tradition.

Over the years he’s played with many leading British jazz musicians and is highly regarded by his peers. He was the  BBC’s Rising Jazz  in 2007 and honoured for “Services to British Jazz” in the 2016 British Jazz Awards. He later quipped, “I went from a rising star to jazz veteran in just nine years!”

The Simon Spillett Quartet features Clark Tracey, Alec Dankworth and Rob Barron, individual stars of the jazz world in their own right.

Clark Tracey is Stan Tracey’s son and has been awarded "Best Drums" in the British Jazz Awards six times and won "Best Drums" at the Ronnie Scott's Club Awards in 2007. Tracey was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2019 for services to music and the promotion of jazz.[1]

Alec Dankworth, son of Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, is an award-winning bass player and composer who, in addition to leading several groups of his own, has worked with an amazing list of artists including Van Morrison, Stephanne Grappelli, Abdullah Ibrahim, and The Dave Brubeck Quartet.

Rob Barron is a jazz pianist, arranger and composer and has been described as “one f the most creative and versatile musicians of his generation.”. He’s played with leading UK artists including Jacqui Dankworth, Stacey Kent, Claire Martinand many more.He regularly appears with the BBC Big Band and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra.

Simon Spillett – saxophone,
Clark Tracey – drums,
Alec Dankworth – bass,
Rob Barron - piano

In New York, you’d pay serious money to enjoy a single set of music of this quality — and on the night, you’d search high and low to find its equal"- The Whitman Review, Wakefield Jazz

"Those of us who have caught him....have been left blinking in disbelief. It's not only his mastery of the tenor saxophone, phenomenal though that is, but the absolute conviction of his playing that is so impressive."- Dave Gelly, The Observer

"Spillett doesn't shake you by the hand so much as grab you by the throat..."- The Penguin Guide To Jazz Recordings

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Venue

Marine Theatre
Church Street
Lyme Regis
Dorset
DT7 3QB

Simon Spillett Quartet - UNDER REVIEW