Jay Phelps is one of the leading figures of UK jazz, as well as a prolific and versatile composer. A founding member of UK Jazz sensation, Empirical, he spent years touring major festivals while garnering worldwide media attention that UK Jazz hadn’t enjoyed for years. He has since been on the road with the likes of Amy Winehouse, Wynton Marsalis and Banda Black Rio, and has sold out two shows at Ronnie Scott's jazz club with his own big band.
Also a composer and producer, his versatility spans from classical music (Chineke) to Cuban/Electronic fusion (Ariwo). Hammadi Valdés, joined for this unique event by the creme de la creme of Afro-Cuban percussionists Gerardo de Armas (Yoruba Andabo) and Oreste Noda (Ska Cubano), is a Havana-born percussionist who, since arriving in the UK 15 years ago, has collaborated with the likes of Omara Portuondo, Jacob Collier, and Robert Mitchell. His CV also includes a Latin Grammy (Chucho Valdés) and an Olivier nomination (Carlos Acosta's "Tocororo", for which he was musical director).
