Dixie and contemporary mix well at weekly jazz night

Jessica studied jazz saxophone at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She is in a number of contemporary music ensembles, and has recently returned from tour, supporting internationally acclaimed jazz guitarist Gilad Hekselman in her band Luna.

Jessica runs her own jazz quintet and is a member of James Clarks Lonely Hearts Rugby Clwb, a riotous world music big band who have played at the London Jazz Festival, Brecon Jazz Festival, and who are finalists of the S4C’s Band Cymru competition.

Jessica’s love for jazz music and the saxophone started after hearing three brilliant soprano saxophone players; Sidney Bechet, Johnny Hodges and Steve Lacy.

Jessica has dedicated a large portion of her study to the soprano saxophone and on Monday night at The Bedford Arms, she will be doing a homage to the soprano saxophone and its legacy, with a varied set list planned to span from Dixieland swing, to the American song, Thelonious Monk compositions and her own contemporary repertoire.

Joining Jessica will be two graduates from the Leeds College of Music – guitarist Aubin Vanns and Simon Read, who plays the double bass and electric bass.

Music will start at 8.30pm. The band play two sets and at the end of the first set a suggested donation of £5 per person is suggested as a donation that pays the musicians for their performance and keeps the jazz nights running on a weekly basis.