If I'm being honest it was hearing Mel Collin's sax solo on Joan Armatrading's 'Love and Affection' but it wasn't till I was 15, seeing Jamie Talbot with Clark Tracey play live at the Rock Garden in Covent Garden that I knew I wanted to play Jazz. Listening to Loose Tubes 'Open letter' followed then Courtney Pine 'Journey to the urge within' and the Jazz Warriors; hearing King Curtis 'Live at Fillamore West' and those big Horn section arrangements. Stan Getz 'Samba Triste' recordings with Charlie Byrd were a big influence as well.
Locally, seeing the South of the River Big Band at the Gun Tavern in Croydon. Watching and learning from Pete Long, Tim Garland, Pete King, Snake Davis, Mark Lockheart, Gilad Atzman, Andy Sheppard and Bob Martin play live. Learning to arrange and read again with Tony Douglas. Seeing vocalists such as Cassandra Wilson and Kurt Elling live as well as growing up around an Opera loving family, that whole idea of projecting yourself acoustically. I also love global sax: Jorge Pardo, Paquito, Mode Plagal, Gilad, Fraser Fifield, Garbarek, Perico Sambeat, Bouttine Souriante and anyone else who can incorporate their background into their playing.
Then working backwards through the greats: Phil Woods, Ben Webster, Art Pepper, Cannonball Adderley, Sonny Rollins, Branford Marsalis, Brecker Brothers, Ike Quebec, Bobo Stenson, Gil Evans, Kenny Garrett, David Sanborn etc and Ive always been a sucker for tenor sax on ballads.
Resident in Kent, there are several projects I'm involved in:
'In the Pocket':
Is a funky sax led hammond funk trio with Nick Peck on anything keyboard related, Vince Clarke on drums and anything else you can rap a stick on and myself on Saxes. We play a whole bunch of classic instrumental funk grooves and standards such as Pick up the Pieces, Mr Magic and Starsky and Hutch theme as well as up beat originals.
Nick Peck / Phil Chaundy duo 'Retrospections':
With this group we take apart and play unlikely standards, any pop tune is open to interpretation and gets a retrograde from Kylie Minogue, Sting through to Abba and Jimi Hendrix. Opera Arias and world music get a look in too and bebop gets remixed over a cut time funk beat. You wouldn't know it was jazz!
The Phil Chaundy Quartet:
With Neil Francis on Bass, Vince Clarke on Drums, Nick Peck and myself on saxes. Standards, world music, originals and unexpected covers all feature on this gig. This is a band that knows how to play dynamics.
Paul Booth's Harbour Jazz Orchestra:
Usually on Alto or tenor with this group made up of Kentish Musicians. At least seven of the band contribute to original arrangements and tunes in the Carla Bley and Loose tubes vein of big bandship. They are just as capable of turning on the swing though. Most definately the best big band in kent. Stay away if your idea of a big band is Glenn Miller. As one musician said 'The man should of lived and the music should of died!'
Gringo Loco:
Is a true Salsa band from South London playing all kinds of styles from South America. An 8 piece strong outfit. I mostly play Tenor, Bari and Flute on this one.
Rubber Biscuit:
Kents premier 13 piece Soul band, with a 5 piece vocal section and a repertoire beyond the usual Commitments minimal back catalogue. Your in for a treat on this gig.
I have played 50s Rock n Roll tribute bands, Jump Jive and really all styles of popular music. I play all the saxes and a morsel of flute. I also teach and practice Art and Photography, some of my pictures/video stills you can see here as well.
A last word, the one thing I cant stand above all else is jazzers playing to themselves in that self indulgent noone else is in the room like fashion...its about performance, entertainment and the audience, its got to be fun so lets lighten up!!!
It's a place for bands to explain how they book shows. Comes along with news on web technologies, recording gizmos as well as music industry trends and anecdotes.
Hi! Phil thanks for your words. I just enabeled all of the tracks for download so feel free to do so, and thanks for your interest and for spending your valuable time with mi music. All the best. Nestor.
