THE DAVE KEECH QUINTET

Local jazz legends team up for a fantastic evening of groove.

Dave Keech - trombone
Colin Watling - saxophone
Craig Stallwood - piano
Laurence Evans - double bass
Lez Cirkel - drums

Dave Keech’s formidable trombone playing is underpinned by the classical techniques of his brass band roots, is infused by his passion for the jazz masters, and demonstrates his belief in the instrument as a versatile and evolving voice in contemporary music.

Colin Watling is rated by many as one of the most exciting tenor saxophonists on the circuit with his melodic, swinging sound. He is a mainstay of the region’s jazz scene, a Hertfordshire-based tenor sax colossus.

Craig Stallwood was classically trained from the tender age of 10 and joined his first professional band, a 10-piece soul band, when he was just 17. He's played with dozens of bands over the years of almost every musical taste including salsa, reggae, ska, blues, jive…although his first love is definitely for jazz. He's house pianist at the high-energy, up-tempo Luton Jazz Jam.

At just 15 years old Les Cirkel was the original drummer in the NYJO before going on to play with 60s Britpop stars Sandie Shaw, Cilla Black, Dana, Matt Monro and Des O’ Connor. Les has played with the Drifters, the Platters, Brooke Benton and the Three Degrees. His film credits include ‘Hope & Glory’, ‘Dance with a Stranger’ and Stanley Kubrik’s ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ and theatre work includes the original West End Theatre Productions of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Cats’, as well as the ‘Rocky Horror Show’, ‘Me & My Girl’ and ‘The Little Shop of Horrors’. 

Laurence Evans and Les make up a formidable rhythm section, having played together at monthly gigs at the Highander, Hitchin and frequent appearances in the house band at the Hitchin Jazz Jam.