Paul Higgs presents tunes by the legendary trumpet players Clifford Brown and Blue Mitchell, illustrating their virtuosic techniques and brilliant inventiveness in their exploration of the Hard Bop and Bebop styles. Both had a great soulful lyricism and a sense of melody.

Mitchell’s lyricism was rounder and more restrained than that of Clifford Brown, the leading trumpeter of Bebop’s second generation; Brown set the example for virtually every trumpet player in Mitchell’s generation who sought to combine the virtuosity of early Bebop with the listenability and soulfulness of rhythm and blues.

Paul Higgs, trumpet
Ace jazz trumpeter Paul Higgs plays with a sublime tone and breathtaking technique. He has an extensive musical career in many fields including performing, composing and arranging music for film, TV and theatre. Formerly a leading performer and composer in NYJO, he then became a Musical Director for the National Theatre and the RSC. He has performed with Johnny Dankworth, Lulu, Tony Hatch, John Williams, Peggy Lee and Nancy Wilson, Sir Peter Maxwell Davis, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Rosemary Clooney, and Shorty Rodgers and has performed in major concert venues around the world.

Neil Angilley, piano
Neil’s Latin Jazz piano trio has performed in many venues across Europe and appeared at the 2009 International Jazz Festival in Italy. He has worked as Musical Director for Vanessa-Mae and played with Maceo Parker, Roy Hargrove, Jeff Waynes (The War of the Worlds), Down to the Bone, Snowboy and the Latin Section, Three Friends (Gentle Giant), Gipsy Kings, Lionel Richie, Lisa Stansfield and Shirley Bassey.

Jerome Davies, double bass
Jerome Davies studied at Trinity College of Music, where he received several prizes. He has performed with Kenny Wheeler, Jim Mullen, Alison Moyet, Kenneth Alwyn and Salena Jones and toured extensively in France, Austria, Monaco, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Italy and New York.

Neil Bullock, drums
Neil has toured with Chuck Berry, played shows as support to Robert Plant and made a record number of appearances at Ronnie Scott’s. He has worked on numerous occasions with the BBC Big Band and performed in The World’s Greatest Drummer, a tribute to Buddy Rich, and was also the featured drummer at A Night to Remember, a tribute to Ronnie Verrell.