Photography Christina Jansen
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An exciting new sextet comprising six of the UK’s most sought after musicians, collectively celebrating the music of major jazz composers such as Gil Evans, Michael Gibbs, George Gershwin, John Lewis and Jaco Pastorius, in a programme of personal favourites.
Mo: “I had been a fan of Gil’s music since the mid 60s when I first heard his masterful collaborations with Miles Davis: Miles Ahead, Porgy And Bess, and Sketches Of Spain.
So it was that in 1983 I was extremely thrilled to get a call — whilst on the road in the USA with Phil Collins — inviting me to tour with the Gil Evans British Orchestra, a band which consisted mainly of luminaries from the UK jazz scene, including John Surman, Henry Lowther, Stan Sulzman, Ray Russell, John Taylor, and John Marshall.
His sound world left such a lasting impression that when I put together this new band the sound I was aiming for was Gil Evans in Miniature: structured, with beautiful harmonies and melodies, and with room for great solos. I chose my dream team — Jim Watson, Chris Biscoe, Nic France, Ray Russell, and Corrina Silvester — simply because they are the best, and are amongst the finest jazz soloists in the country".
BAND MEMBERS
MO FOSTER
Bass Guitar and Band Leader: After forming seminal 70’s progressive jazz/rock group Affinity (managed by the late Ronnie Scott) Mo's career blossomed into one of the most prestigious of any contemporary bass-guitar player, working with Jeff Beck, Gil Evans, Phil Collins, Gerry Rafferty, Van Morrison, Frida (of ABBA) and the London Symphony Orchestra, and establishing himself as a much sought after and highly respected session musician, record producer, composer, solo artist and author (British Rock Guitar). Mo is also a recipient of a BASCA Gold Badge Award.
Photography Christina Jansen
Ray Russell
Electric Guitar and Fx: Band leader, Award winning session player, arranger, composer, and producer.
Ray has worked with Gil Evans, Mike Gibbs, Mark Isham, Anthony Jackson, Tina Turner, Heaven 17, Gary Moore, Jeff Beck, George Fenton, and Simon Phillips and is a visiting Professor of Music at Leeds University from whom he completed his PhD with in 2020.
Photography Christina Jansen
Jim Watson
Keyboardist, Pianist, Organist, Musical Director, Composer, Arranger: Jim has worked with with Manu Katche, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Katie Melua, Paul Carrack, Chris Difford, Patti Austin, Richard Bona, and Lalo Shifrin.
Photography Christina Jansen
CHRIS BISCOE
Reeds (Alto Sax, Soprano Sax, Baritone Sax, Alto Clarinet). Band-leader, composer, Chris has worked with Mike Westbrook, Liam Noble, George Russell, Hermeto Pascoal
Photography Christina Jansen
NIC FRANCE
Drums and Percussion: Nic has worked with Loose Tubes, David Gilmour, Bill Withers, Mose Alison and teaches at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge.
Photography Tony Andrews
Corrina Silvester
Percussion: Corrina has worked with Yazz Ahmed’s Family Hafla, Hans Zimmer Live at Hammersmith, on stage at Royal Opera House, held many Principal Percussion chairs in London’s West End theatre, e.g. The Tina Turner Musical at the Aldwych Theatre, Monty Python at O2, and Drum Captain for the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony.
Photography Tony Andrews
The Repertoire
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Gone Gone Gone
Gone
Freedom Jazz Dance
Three Views Of A Secret
Django
The Pan Piper
And On The Third Day
Some Echoes
Oh No
Sing Me Softly Of The Blues
On Your Way Down
Footprints
Little Wing
So Far Away
Who's There?
Chickens
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George Gershwin
Gil Evans
Eddie Harris
Jaco Pastorius
John Lewis
Gil Evans
Mike Gibbs
Mike Gibbs
Mo Foster
Carla Bley
Alan Toussaint
Wayne Shorter
Jimmy Hendrix
Mo Foster/Ray Russell
Mo Foster/Linda Hoyle
Steve Swallow
Testimonioals
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"This session legend, and one-time Jeff Beck cohort, has thumbed his golden address book to assemble a sextet of undoubted virtuosity”
Andy Rawll (Journalist, Record Collector)
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"What a great band Mo. I love the 'Gone Suite’”.
Terry Rawlings (film editor: Blade-Runner, Alien)
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"That's some jam Mo. Beautiful textures and dynamics. Your playing puts the rest of us to shame as usual...”
Joel McIver (Editor, Bass Guitar Magazine)
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“This is whatever the opposite of "unwatchable" is. So much going on there between these wonderful musicians.”
Ken Appleby (Pindrop Events)
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“Excellent show - Superb sound throughout. It was a masterclass”
David Stark (Songlink)
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“A rare night of great music - lovely vibe, immaculate sound - the music connects very directly”
Malcolm Edmonstone (Professor at the Guildhall School)
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“Such great music - a natural high - so many great influences coming out”`
Mark Garfield (Music Publisher)
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“Mo’s bass sound was amazing, particularly the fretless, wow!”
Martin Petersen(Bass Gallery)
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“A tonic for the spirit - music like that should be bottled and made available on the NHS”
Chris Mills (PPL)
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"The band was superb”
Clem Cattini (drum legend)
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"You all play more brilliantly than ever. Classy, Funky, Clever, Gorgeous”
Wendy Hoile (website designer)
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“Such an inspiration”
Alan Boyd (Film Maker)
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“Beautiful chemistry”
Ray Russell
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“I can't think of anyone I'd rather listen and learn from”
Bass Guitar Magazine
“Mo Foster...a legendary session bassist, producer and composer”
Basschat