|
 “As
one of the best live bands around, they’ve certainly managed to keep their
special brand of jazz and blues fresh and vibrant.” -
The Observer
Celebrating a quarter of
a century as a working band, Big Chief is a jazzy, bluesy extravaganza; a
rich blend of music from two continents; a spicy gumbo of blues, ska and
township.
They are: John Fry, saxes
and vocals; Ed Benstead, trumpet; Chris Fry, trombone; Barry Langton,
guitar; Adrian Paton, keyboard; Tony Reeves, bass; Tony Edwards,
percussion and vocals; and Steve Taylor, drums.
The band, which is older
than its youngest player, has recently acquired the formidable trumpet
skills of Ed Benstead. Edward studied at the Royal Academy and was a
finalist in Young Jazz Musician of the Year 1998.
Barry Langton hails from
South Africa where he worked extensively in bands, shows and recording
studios. He currently works with Jive Nation, The Tito Lopez
Combo and his own jazz trio, Loose and Lite, as well as
maintaining a busy teaching schedule. Bassist, Tony Reeves was with
Curved Air and, more famously perhaps, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers,
Greenslade and John Hiseman’s Colosseum.
Steve Taylor is a highly
respected musician, multi instrumentalist and producer, and is recognised
as one of the most talented drummers in the U.K. Adrian Paton, the
group’s musical mentor, led a string of modern jazz groups before
combining with John Fry and Tony Edwards to form Big Chief in 1976. Tony
had been with Ian Dury’s Kilburn and the Highroads and the
People Show. Chris Fry was added on trombone because, he’s family and
quite frankly too good to leave out.
Big Chief is popular at
festivals and venues throughout the country, and has several CDs to its
credit. We are delighted to add that an album entitled The Best of
British Blues 2001, released by U.K blues magazine, Blues in Britain,
included a track from our CD, Steppin’ Out.
Big Chief’s latest CD,
Big Chief Live at the Bull, has been played on U.K. national radio and
also in The United States, and is selling well at gigs and festivals. |
