John is our extremely talented reed player. A music graduate, known as ‘the Professor’. His early music career was based on classical (North Wind Orchestra, National Concert Orchestra, British Clarinet Ensemble). When he discovered jazz he never looked back, regularly appearing at jazz clubs and festivals. In his spare time he tours with a Pink Floyd Tribute Band!!

A fantastic younger bass player, who replaced Rae Owens – yes, me! – in 2020. The reason will be revealed later! Dean has been on the jazz scene locally for many years and has proven to be very popular with many bands. It has been said that, apart from his music ability, his main assets are that he lowers the average age in the bands and increases the sex appeal!!

Providing the syncopation in the band. Brian is the only member of the band who was in the band when I joined in the early 90’s. Brian started playing in the 1960’s and was influenced by all the fantastic bands of the ‘Trad’ era. He tells me that he is even old enough to remember ‘Modern Jazz’! He held the band together with his organisational skills for many years organising the overseas trips to Breda, Gorinchem, Arnhem etc., etc. At one time I am sure that he thought he was running a Travel Agency!

That brings me to Me. As mentioned elsewhere, I joined the band in the early 1990’s, along with my pal Tony Ormesher. My background was different in many ways. I didn’t play Jazz until 1984, and by chance was recruited by a drummer (David Mills – ex Temperance Seven) to lay in his band The Bahrain Jazz Trio, a local group; we were living in Bahrain at that time. He also had a touring band – The British All Stars - which gave me the opportunity to work with British legends such as Alan Elsdon, Alan Cooper, Mike Pointon, Diz Disley, Johnny Parker and many more. Thanks Dave!

Finally – the reason that I asked Deano to play bass was that in 2020 I had an accident with my left hand and I was convinced that I would not be able to play again. However, thankfully, my hand has healed and recovered so, not wanting to ask Deano to leave, I decided to change to banjo and guitar.

Phil is our first port of call when John is not available. Phil regularly performs alongside many national and international jazz artists and has appeared at major jazz festivals, venues and music festivals throughout the country and abroad. Highly sought-after as both a performer and recording artist, he has released two albums under his own name and appeared on numerous recordings as a sideman. See more about him at WELCOME TO PHIL SHOTTON MUSIC

As a music student Phil studied at the Liverpool Hope University on trumpet, attaining his music degree in orchestral trumpet techniques, and later becoming a brass specialist teacher for the Liverpool Music Support Service. Phil's earliest experiences as a jazz musician were spent with the Wirrorleans Jazz Band playing in Ma Boyles Pub in Liverpool.