Mornington Lockett
“Saxophonist Mornington Lockett must be one of the most complete masters of the instrument alive today”
Observer
The first person in the UK to gain a degree qualification for jazz saxophone (1983), saxophonist, composer and teacher Mornington Lockett joined the Jim Mullen Quartet in 1989, leading to an invitation to join the Ronnie Scott Quintet in 1990, with whom he toured the world for 5 years. There then followed work with a host of high profile International artists, including Jimmy Smith, Arturo Sandoval, Jon Hendricks, Georgie Fame and Jack DeJohnette. Between 2000 and 2010 Mornington was busy working and recording with the late Martin Drew (Ronnie Scott) with their co-led group “New Jazz Couriers”, releasing four critically acclaimed albums and winning the 2002 British Jazz Award for Best Small Group. He was also an integral part of legendary British pianist and composer Stan Tracey's various bands for more than 15 years. Mornington's fluent, creative and powerful post-bop playing is probably best known at the Club these days for his regular appearances with the brilliant late UK saxophonist Peter King, with whom he performed at the Club for over a decade. Mornington's current group features up-and-coming trumpeter Alistair Martin, legendary bassist Laurence Cottle, Canadian expat, pianist Sean Fyfe and the impressive young drummer Theo Hayhurst.
"One of the country's most accomplished...improvisers" Time Out; "Saxophonist Mornington Lockett must be one of the most complete masters of the instrument alive today." The Observer; “World class” Jazz Journal; “Lockett…plays with tremendous fluency and drive” Evening Standard
Photo credit: Tatiana Gorilovsky