At the forefront of the African jazz music scene is South African born trumpeter and composer Claude Deppa. His music, dizzyingly eclectic, incorporates African, world, Afro-Cuban, jazz, improvised, soul, funk and European chamber music, all of which he plays with a brilliant and pungent sound. Deppa has performed with a rich array of contemporary international jazz talent, including Dewey Redman, Art Blakey, Carla Bley, Miriam Makeba, Archie Shepp, Courtney Pine,Brotherhood Of Breath, Andy Sheppard, District Six, Harry Beckett, The Grand Union Orchestra, Billy Jenkins, Louis Moholo, Evan Parker, Dudu Pukwana, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, and Steve Williamson. Deppa has formed and leads several bands, including the African Jazz Explosion, Horns Unlimited and Five Funky Fellas. Claude leads the brass section of Kinetica Bloco, a project that celebrates the music of the African Diaspora with themed summer schools and performances. Claude's story of his experiences growing up in South Africa and then coming to Britain in 1974 is printed in the book 'Celebrating Sanctuary'. Claude's CD, “Toi-Toi” is a glorious blend of funky and more mellow tracks, with printed notes by Claude himself.
Clare was born in Cumbria and moved to London where a successful careerin pop music ensued. Having played live and on recordings with artists such as David Bowie, The Communards, Mica Paris, The Bellestars and Maxi Priest, she worked with Mervyn Africa before embarking on a solo jazz career based around her Quartet. She has played with Tony Kofi, Art Themen, David Newton, Alan Barnes, Clare Teal, Mark Nightingale, Byron Wallen, Don Weller, Claude Deppa, Jim Mullen and Dick Pearce etc. Clare has performed in USA, Japan, Hong Kong and extensively in Europe including many TV performances. Her performance with David Bowie on Live-Aid can be seen on the Live-Aid DVD. Her experience with such a diverse mixture of musical styles ranging from salsa to reggae to funk and African music, along with a heavy influence from jazz players such as Sonny Rollins and Chick Corea, has created a unique style. She currently has three CD’s out; the first entitled “Tough and Tender” called “Summer Song” and the third CD “Touchy”. All available from www.clarehirst.co.ukand is touring with Hazel O'Connor
Andrea Vicari made her mark on the jazz scene both as a pianist and composer and has five albums under her own name as well as two records with ‘Jazz Extempore’; a multi-national project initiated in Croatia. She has just released an album of original songs with vocalist Trudy Kerr called ‘The House”. Most recently Andrea has performed at Teignmouth Jazz Festival with Steve Waterman; and Birmingham Legends Festival with Yazz Ahmed; plus Scarborough, Swanage and Malborough Jazz Festivals; Ronnie Scott's and The Jazz Cafe. She has played with USA greats Eddie Harris and Art Farmer. As well as being musical director of the Dordogne Jazz Summer School Andrea is a Senior Lecturer at Trinity Laban Conservatoire - one of the leading colleges in Britain for Jazz studies. Andrea presents a weekly radio programme on www.jazzlondonradio.com; "Andrea Vicari's Jazz Doodles”; which debuts every Tuesday at 3pm and is repeated at various times throughout the week. In the past year she has broadcast interviews with leading jazz artists including John Taylor; Hiromi; US stars Bill Stewart; Marc Copland; John Abercrombie and Larry Goldings; plus Bill Laurance (Snarky Puppy); Omar Puente; Joe Stilgoe; Bobo Stenson and many more. www.andreavicari.com
Dorian Lockett studied at the Guildhall School of Music before playing with the likes of Denys Baptiste, Alan Barnes, John Horler, Dave O'Higgins, Phil Robson,Simon Spillett, Dick Pearce, Don Weller, Chris Tobin, Ken Eley (Breakfast Band) Tim Whitehead, Tim Garland etc. Dorian plays on five Andrea Vicari CD’s, which he co-produced. He has recorded albums with 80s punk legend Hazel O'Connor and has been performingin Europe with Ernie Watt's drummer Tony Match; DotTime Records artist Paola Vera, and Spanish harmonica virtuoso Antonio Serrano
At only twenty-one years of age one of the most exciting drum prodigies to emerge on the UK jazz scene in recent years with a world class future, Jordan has already played alongside many of the country’s top jazz musicians including Ashley Henry, Club Kuru, Sarah Tandy, Isabelle Brown, Tara Lily, Oska T, and has touredin Europe, Africa and played gigs at the Royal Festival Hall and Kings Place in London