Catch fresh talent with piano and bassist at Bedford Arms

Harry Bolt is a London-based jazz pianist and composer. Classically trained in piano at Trinity College of Music, Greenwich, his passion for jazz developed in late teens.

After being awarded the Hamburg award for improvisation two years running, he was offered a full scholarship to Birmingham Conservatoire. During his third year he became the youngest pianist ever to lead his own trio aboard the Queen Mary 2 Ocean Liner, in the summer of 2013.

On return, Harry was invited to join the prestigious Clark Tracey Quintet, which showcases the brightest new talents on the UK jazz scene. Together they recorded the CD Meantime in 2014, followed by a UK tour, which continues and includes regular appearances at Ronnie Scott’s, 606 jazz club, the Vortex and Pizza Express Dean Street, in addition to the Herts, Cheltenham, Isle of Wight and Llandudno Jazz Festivals and more.

Harry is known for combining the traditional with the contemporary. He said: “If you surprise yourself, you invariably surprise your audience.”

His composition work has found him as runner up in the Sibelius Jazz Composer of the year.

He will be joined by Stuart Barker, a double and electric bass player who works regularly as part of the UK jazz Scene. In 2010 Stuart was given a place at Birmingham Conservatoire where he has recieved tuition from Arnie Somogyi and Mark Hodgson as well as various masterclasses and performances with the likes of Dave Holland, Jeff Ballard, Mark Turner and John Taylor.

Stuart has performed at major venues including The 606 club, The Spice of life, Bratislava Jazz festival, Jazz kitchen in Sweden, The spotted dog, Symphony hall Birmingham.

He has also performed at Cheltenham, Brecon, Marlborough, Southport and Derby jazz festivals and has supported artists such as Laura Mvula. Alongside that he has also worked on television, notably BBC Three and Channel 4’s Made in Chelsea.

The Bedford Arms has a suggested donations policy of £5 per person which pays the musicians for their performance and keeps the nights running on a weekly basis.