ANDREA VICARI
Pianist and composer Andrea Vicari was born in Miami (Florida) and grew up in Birmingham (England). Educated at Cardiff University she won a scholarship to study at The Guildhall School of Music in London. Andrea was soon in demand as a 'side-man' working with bass guitar legend, Dill Katz in a band that included the then unknown guitarist Phil Robson. Soon after she formed her first important group with Julian Argüelles on saxophone and Stuart Hall, then of Django Bates' 'Human Chain', on bass. Other employers included GRP recording artist, Phil Bent; jazz warrior David-Jean Baptiste with whom she recorded her first commercially released CD; and the all-women band "Birds" led by Kathy Stobart. She played a successful season at London's sadly defunct jazz club The Bass Clef with the late great American saxophone innovator, Eddie Harris, broadcasting live on JazzFM radio; and gigged with the US trumpet legend Art Farmer.
Andrea has to date five albums in her own name and has contributed to others such as ‘Round Trip’ and “East and West’ with Jazz Extempore plus ‘The Vortex Foundation Big Band’. A prolific composer, she has been commissioned by the Arts Council, the BBC, Jazz Umbrella, the Peter Whittingham trust, Lyth Arts (Scotland); and completed a setting of the poetry of A.E Housman for the Ludlow festival, released on the CD New Perspectives. Andrea is also a well known and respected jazz educator holding a senior lecturer post at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of music and dance (jazz) and was short-listed for a Parliamentary Jazz Award in the Education category.
SAM LEAK
Sam Leak is a London-based Jazz pianist described by JazzFM's Helen Mayhew as 'One of the brightest stars in the Jazz piano galaxy, a heavenly improviser, and a brilliant prospect for the future.' His eponymous 2011 debut album was listed in MOJO Magazine as one of the 'Top Ten International Releases of the Year.' The 2013 follow up, "Places," was described by the Guardian's John Fordham as 'surefooted creativity... way beyond respectful expertise,' and by BBC Music Magazine's Daniel Spicer as ‘assured and sophisticated acoustic jazz with deep roots in the tradition, that knows exactly what it's trying to do - and succeeds.’ Jamie Cullum introduced Leak's cohort as ‘the heavyweights of the British Jazz scene’ and described himself as a ‘fan’ of the band in his regular BBC broadcast.
In 2018 Leak released 'Adrift,' a duet with New York's Dan Tepfer, a long-time collaborator of legendary veteran saxophonist Lee Konitz. Of this album, The Wire's Marcus O'Dair has said: “Sam Leak and Dan Tepfer are two of the best pianists of their generation, and their convergence on this recording is astonishing.” The New York City Jazz Record have described it as "magical" and "constantly evolving and engaging."
IVO NEAME
Ivo Neame is an award-winning pianist and composer. In addition to leading his own bands, he has featured in several of European jazz’s most forward-looking groups including Phronesis and the Marius Neset Quintet. He regularly performs at jazz festivals worldwide, collaborating with ensembles as diverse as the Frankfurt Radio Big Band and the London Sinfonietta.
Ivo discovered music at an early age by playing his parents' piano, albeit with drumsticks. Ivo went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music, and since leaving in 2003 he has performed and recorded with highly esteemed musicians at home and abroad such as Julian Argüelles, Kenny Wheeler and Hermeto Pascoal. His seventh album under his own name “Glimpses of Truth” is due for release on Whirlwind Recordings in November 2021.
Naadia Sheriff
Naadia Sheriff is a UK Jazz Pianist, Composer, Musical Director Arranger and educator.
Naadia is a founder member of Yazz Ahmed’s Hafla Band. Since 2019 she has been the pianist/keyboardist for ISQ. She is the pianist for Lara Eidi, and a member of Dave Manington’s Mingus Ah Um project.
“Naadia Sheriff’s swinging accompaniment completes a ravishing evening” the Guardian (4 stars)
“Dazzling Pianist” the Times.
