The Deppa Hirst Band has performed at Marlborough; Greenwich and Swanage Jazz Festivals. The music is a mixture of Claude and Clare's eclectic compositions with influences from Township Jive to Brazilian Samba and Jamaican Reggae. Completing the lineup is pianist; composer and broadcaster Andrea Vicari and multibassist Dorian Lockett, here on electric bass and Brian Abrahams on drums. This album was recorded at Ipswich Jazz festival.
CLAUDE DEPPA – TRUMPET
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 HIRST – SAXOPHONES
Clare was born in Cumbria and studied piano and clarinet until managing to get hold of a saxophone. She moved to York and then to Leeds before eventually making it to London where a successful career in 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 spent some time working with Mervyn Africa before embarking on a solo career based around her Quartet. Since then she has played with many of the country’s finest jazz musicians including Tony Kofi, Art Themen, David Newton, Alan Barnes, ClareTeal, Mark Nightingale, Byron Wallen, Don Weller, Claude Deppa, Jim Mullen and Dick Pearce. She has performed concerts 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. The Clare Hirst Quartet has performed at many festivals, clubs and arts centres throughout the country. 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.uk
DORIAN LOCKETT – BASS
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. Most recently he recorded an album 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.
BRIAN ABRAHAMS – DRUMS (ALBUM)
Brian Abrahams is an internationally renowned drum master who has played with Abdullah Ebrahim, Howard Johnson, Robin Eubanks , Buster Williams, Delfayo Marsalis, Craig Handy, Dewey Redman, Jim Pepper, Sonny Fortune, Arthur Blythe, GaryBartze, Jimmy Witherspoon, David Murray, Don Cherry etc. The list is far to long to mention.
JORDAN HADFIELD - DRUMS
(GIGGING BAND) At only 21 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, Sarah Tandy, Yazmin Lacey, Club Kuru, Wu-Lu, Oska T, Tara Lily and Isabelle Brown and has toured Europe and played gigs at the Royal Festival Hall and Kings Place in London.
