James Davison & Callum Au
This new quintet, delightfully named Quintet-a-Tete, is led by two highly regarded young jazz musicians, trumpeter James Davison and trombonist Callum Au. Inspired by the highly regarded US outfit from the 1960's, the Clark Terry/Bob Brookmeyer Quintet, this new band splits their programme about equally between Terry/Brookmeyer material and compositions by Callum and James themselves. The emphasis is on fun, swinging, music bringing the atmosphere and vibe of 50’s and 60’s jazz to life for the modern day. Trumpeter James Davison was lead trumpet with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and includes work with the likes of Royal Philharmonic Orchestras, the Syd Lawrence Orchestra and Pete Long’s ‘Jazz at the Philharmonic’ band, as well as his own jazz group, the Dixie Strollers. Callum Au is in demand as an arranger and for his considerable skills as a trombonist. He has built a stellar reputation on both fronts, performing with artists such as Joss Stone, Seth MacFarlane, Liane Carroll, Tim Minchin and Peter Erskine and writing arrangements for the likes of the BBC Big Band, Jamie Cullum, Clare Teal, and the Swingle Singers, as well as his own eponymously named Big Band. Tonight’s quintet is completed by the excellent rhythm section of Sam Watts-piano, Adam King-bass and Matt Skelton-drums. Jazz at its finest.
"Davison…in particularly fine form with an emotive trumpet solo… effervescent…thrilling" The JazzMann; "Au…plays with the kind of fluent elasticity only the best trombonists can coax from the instrument" LondonJazzNews