Formed in 1994 as Guildhall students, the Quartz Saxophone Quartet unites four of the UK’s leading saxophonists – three of whom now teach at the School.  

Known for their dynamic performances and boundary-pushing repertoire, Quartz returns to Guildhall to launch their new CD on Deux-Elles Classical Recordings, featuring works by composer and baritone saxophonist Mick Foster. 

The programme includes pieces from the album alongside large saxophone ensemble works by Steve Reich, Christian Forshaw and Mick Foster, performed with current Guildhall students. 

Don’t miss this celebration of Guildhall artistry across generations. 

"Mick Foster’s two new saxophone quartets are two of the most substantial and valuable additions to the saxophone quartet repertoire in the past 25 years. These fantastic new compositions from one of the UK’s leading saxophonists deserve the widest possible support and recognition."  – Tom Bruton, Saxtet Publications

Paul Stevens - soprano

Christian Forshaw - alto

Brad Grant - tenor

Mick Foster - baritone

The Pasadena Roof Orchestra are celebrating 55 years of touring and playing live music from the 1920s and 1930s. The recipe for their longevity is quite simple … staying true to the original sounds that were produced nightly by the resident bands in some of the first-class hotels pre-war, and in the jazz clubs of New York and beyond.

Pasadena’s live show features lovingly recreated orchestrations of melodies from the great American Songbook composers such as Irving Berlin and George Gershwin. Also represented are hot tunes from the likes of Duke Ellington and Fletcher Henderson plus classic British dance band arrangements from Ray Noble and Lew Stone. Hosted with humour by vocalist and band leader Duncan Galloway, who is nevershort of an anecdote or two.

Charismatic saxophonist Derek Nash takes a break from touring with the Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra to bring his own multi award-winning octet back to the club.

Sax Appeal features five top-name saxophonists and a sparkling rhythm section performing Derek’s breath-taking arrangements of Jazz standards and superb originals.

Expect driving swing Blue Note Style, Ellington sweetness, pure danceable Brazilian Latin, Brecker Brothers style Fusion, biting Sanborn style Funk, all in the space of one concert, featuring a myriad of saxophone styles from some of the best UK sax stylists.

The Pasadena Roof Orchestra are celebrating 55 years of touring and playing live music from the 1920s and 1930s. The recipe for their longevity is quite simple … staying true to the original sounds that were produced nightly by the resident bands in some of the first-class hotels pre-war, and in the jazz clubs of New York and beyond.

Pasadena’s live show features lovingly recreated orchestrations of melodies from the great American Songbook composers such as Irving Berlin and George Gershwin. Also represented are hot tunes from the likes of Duke Ellington and Fletcher Henderson plus classic British dance band arrangements from Ray Noble and Lew Stone. Hosted with humour by vocalist and band leader Duncan Galloway, who is nevershort of an anecdote or two.

Mick will feature with Chernenko, who in this concert celebrate the genius of John Surman, one of this countries finest exponents of the baritone saxophone. There is a focus on his many recordings made within his partnership with the ECM record label.

Mick Foster – Baritone Sax
Dave Whiting – Guitar
Tony Gooderham – Piano
Dominic Howles – Bass
Trevor Taylor  – Drums

Mick will feature with Chernenko, who in this concert celebrate the genius of John Surman, one of this countries finest exponents of the baritone saxophone. There is a focus on his many recordings made within his partnership with the ECM record label.

Mick Foster – Baritone Sax
Dave Whiting – Guitar
Tony Gooderham – Piano
Dominic Howles – Bass
Trevor Taylor  – Drums

Mick’s quartet featuring Dominic Ashworth (guitar), Dave Manington (bass) & Tristan Mailliot (drums) play a mix of Mick’s melodic original material together with some tunes from the American songbook. The quartet has proved to be popular with both modern and mainstream venues. Their two albums, ‘Four Views’ and ‘Live at The Vortex’ have received excellent reviews and have been featured on national radio.

“Foster himself is a bright, imaginative soloist who exploits his instrument’s grainy, fruity charms perfectly, and his choice of material is impeccable. If you like your jazz warm, tasteful and elegant, without grandstanding [...] this is for you.”

Chris Parker, London Jazz

Mick guests with pianist Russell Williams and his quartet, at one of the regular sessions at The Highlander, Hitchin.

The Pasadena Roof Orchestra are celebrating 55 years of touring and playing live music from the 1920s and 1930s. The recipe for their longevity is quite simple … staying true to the original sounds that were produced nightly by the resident bands in some of the first-class hotels pre-war, and in the jazz clubs of New York and beyond.

Pasadena’s live show features lovingly recreated orchestrations of melodies from the great American Songbook composers such as Irving Berlin and George Gershwin. Also represented are hot tunes from the likes of Duke Ellington and Fletcher Henderson plus classic British dance band arrangements from Ray Noble and Lew Stone. Hosted with humour by vocalist and band leader Duncan Galloway, who is nevershort of an anecdote or two.

Mick is the featured soloist with the 10 piece band Swingshift 10, in their monthly residency of an afternoon of jazz, latin, funk and soul music.

The legendary Syd Lawrence Orchestra, once dubbed “the best band in the land” by Mel Tormé, pays homage to the music of Tony Bennett in a show bursting with swing, style and sophistication.

The London Jazz Orchestra continues its longstanding residency at The Vortex. Led by Scott Stroman and Noel Langley, the LJO features soloists including Henrry Lowther, Pete Hurt, Alcyona Mick, Paul Clarvis and Tori Freestone. This month Mick’s big band compositions are featured.

A mixture of mainstream and New Orleans jazz with trumpeter Pete Rudeforth’s great jazz band.

Mick’s quartet featuring Dominic Ashworth (guitar), Tom Farmer (bass) & Tristan Mailliot (drums) play a mix of Mick’s melodic original material together with some tunes from the American songbook. The quartet has proved to be popular with both modern and mainstream venues. Their two albums, ‘Four Views’ and ‘Live at The Vortex’ have received excellent reviews and have been featured on national radio.

“Foster himself is a bright, imaginative soloist who exploits his instrument’s grainy, fruity charms perfectly, and his choice of material is impeccable. If you like your jazz warm, tasteful and elegant, without grandstanding [...] this is for you.”

Chris Parker, London Jazz

A tribute to Duke Pearson; Featuring Sammy Mayne, Dave O’Higgins & Mick Foster. Duke Pearson is one of the many underappreciated jazz greats; his writing for septet is superlative and this band get another chance to air his music. Dominic Howles (band leader and double bass), Chris Coull (trumpet), Sammy Mayne (alto sax and flute), Dave O’Higgins (tenor sax), Mick Foster (baritone sax and bass clarinet), Graham Harvey (piano) and Matt Fishwick (drums).

Charismatic Quartz present a thrilling programme exploring the chameleon-like qualities of the saxophone from British, French and American perspectives. The programme includes Steve Reich’s mesmerising New York Counterpoint, together with pieces by Jean Francaix, Mick Foster, Christian Forshaw, Will Gregory, Hildegard of Bingen and Bjork.

Paul Stevens - soprano; Christian Forshaw - alto; Brad Grant - tenor; Mick Foster - baritone

The LJO returns to the Vortex for a new season of up-close-and-personal Sunday afternoon concerts. Led by US director Scott Stroman and lead trumpet Noel Langley, every chair is filled with soloists, underpinned by the great rhythm section of Alcyona Mick (piano), Nick Costley-White (guitar), Calum Gourlay (bass), and Paul Clarvis (drums).  The players in the band write all of its music; composers include Henry Lowther, Pete Hurt, Scott Stroman & Mick Foster.

Mick’s quartet featuring Rob Barron (piano), Dave Manington (bass) & Tristan Mailliot (drums) play a mix of swinging tunes from the American songbook together with some melodic originals.

“Foster himself is a bright, imaginative soloist who exploits his instrument’s grainy, fruity charms perfectly, and his choice of material is impeccable. If you like your jazz warm, tasteful and elegant, without grandstanding [...] this is for you.”

Chris Parker, London Jazz

Mick and trombonist Geoff Mason present an evening of swinging, melodic tunes associated with the Gerry Mulligan / Bob Brookmeyer quartet.

Geoff Mason -Trombone

Mick Foster -Baritine Sax

Winston Clifford– Drums

Adam King  -Bass

“If you like your jazz warm, tasteful and elegant, without grandstanding … this is for you.” – London Jazz

“Mason’s approach to the trombone if full of energy and life. His impressive technique and pure sound allow the listener to become completely immersed in the melodic and harmonic journey of each tune” – International trombone Association

Directed by Chris Dean, the Syd Lawrence Orchestra brings to life the music that once filled the grand dance halls. This electrifying ensemble promises to get your toes tapping with their faithful recreation of legendary bands like Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, and Ted Heath.

Featuring a dynamite blend of soloists and vocalists, section work, and a hard-swinging rhythm section, the orchestra delivers a performance that will transport you to a bygone era. Adding a touch of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Ella Fitzgerald to the mix creates the ultimate recipe for a nostalgic musical journey.

Charismatic Quartz present a thrilling programme exploring the chameleon-like qualities of the saxophone from British, French and American perspectives. The programme includes Steve Reich’s mesmerising New York Counterpoint, together with pieces by Jean Francaix, Mick Foster & Christian Forshaw.

Paul Stevens - soprano; Christian Forshaw - alto; Brad Grant - tenor; Mick Foster - baritone

Mick’s quartet featuring Rob Barron (piano), Calum Gourlay (bass) & Tristan Mailliot (drums) play a mix of swinging tunes from the American songbook together with some melodic originals.

“Foster himself is a bright, imaginative soloist who exploits his instrument’s grainy, fruity charms perfectly, and his choice of material is impeccable. If you like your jazz warm, tasteful and elegant, without grandstanding [...] this is for you.”

Chris Parker, London Jazz

An afternoon of fun toe-tapping jazz, blues and swing in our KMT foyer. Think of the great era of the 1920s and 1930s and of Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller and Benny Goodman. Add a dash of blues, New Orleans and British trad and you’re sure to have a great time.

The musicians are of the finest calibre. They have travelled the globe, performing at festivals, major concert halls and jazz clubs worldwide. Between them, they have played hundreds of performances in the bands of Chris Barber, Kenny Ball, Acker Bilk and many more.

Led by the renowned trumpeter Paul Higgs (BBC Philharmonic Orchestra) the Essex Hot Five will perform your favourite standards featuring Mick Foster, Andy Staples and Marc Cecil (Derek Nash’s Picante Latin) and star of our Summer Pianorama Ted Beament.

Come along and support our Essex musicians for a great fun night of top quality jazz and entertainment.

The LJO returns to the Vortex for a new season of up-close-and-personal Sunday afternoon concerts. Led by US director Scott Stroman and lead trumpet Noel Langley, every chair is filled with soloists, underpinned by the great rhythm section of Alcyona Mick (piano), Nick Costley-White (guitar), Calum Gourlay (bass), and Paul Clarvis (drums).  The players in the band write all of its music – this month features pieces by Alcyona & Calum as well as the ‘Long Suite’ by Kenny Wheeler.

A stunning live concert performance that’s pure Gatsby era as we welcome you to step back into the Roaring Twenties and a world of red-hot rhythms with The Tony Jacobs Orchestra, Singers & Dancers.

You can expect a dazzling celebration of music and song, interspersed with a twinkling mix of Yuletide favourites from this authentic all-star big band which comprises the cream of British jazz musicians and singers.

This family Christmas show also features The TJO Dancers who expertly perform the Charleston, Black Bottom and the Lindy Hop and other ‘jazz-age’ dances.

Tony Jacobs is not only a versatile singer and musician, but he is also a charismatic host and raconteur who will bring the music of the Great Gatsby era to life with fascinating and witty anecdotes.

Chis Sansom combines an electrifying fusion of classical principles and rock/rock to present a four-movement suits entitled The Life and Times of a Perfect Stranger as the centre piece for his Unfinished Business Album Tour.

Bearing the influence of the great Frank Zappa, Perfect Stranger was written, though never performed, in the 1970s for a band which included a number of innovative musicians like Chris Biscoe, Dick Pearce and Pete  Jacobson who were then members of the National Jazz Orchestra.

Thankfully, Chris Sansom has blown the dust of the original charts to revive Perfect Strangers for current audiences with a superb nine-piece  ensemble comprising a new generation of musicians who are steeped in the jazz tradition.

You can expect an exciting night of original music.

A London Jazz Festival appearance of the LJO. Led by US director Scott Stroman and lead trumpet Noel Langley, every chair is filled with soloists, underpinned by the great rhythm section of Alcyona Mick (piano), Nick Costley-White (guitar), Calum Gourlay (bass), and Paul Clarvis (drums).  The players in the band write all of its music – expect beautiful new writing alongside LJO classics from its 30 year history.

Chis Sansom combines an electrifying fusion of classical principles and rock/rock to present a four-movement suits entitled The Life and Times of a Perfect Stranger as the centre piece for his Unfinished Business Album Tour.

Bearing the influence of the great Frank Zappa, Perfect Stranger was written, though never performed, in the 1970s for a band which included a number of innovative musicians like Chris Biscoe, Dick Pearce and Pete  Jacobson who were then members of the National Jazz Orchestra.

Thankfully, Chris Sansom has blown the dust of the original charts to revive Perfect Strangers for current audiences with a superb nine-piece  ensemble comprising a new generation of musicians who are steeped in the jazz tradition.

You can expect an exciting night of original music.

The LJO returns to the Vortex for a new season of up-close-and-personal Sunday afternoon concerts. Led by US director Scott Stroman and lead trumpet Noel Langley, every chair is filled with soloists, underpinned by the great rhythm section of Alcyona Mick (piano), Nick Costley-White (guitar), Calum Gourlay (bass), and Paul Clarvis (drums).  The players in the band write all of its music – expect beautiful new writing alongside LJO classics from its 30 year history.