Jazz: Alex Merritt Quartet

Amazing new line-up put together by phenomenal saxophonist Alex Merritt.

Back in 2016 Alex’s debut album ‘Anatta’, featuring legendary American drummer Jeff Williams, received critical acclaim as a “promising debut, of striking quality” from the Guardian’s John Fordham and was praised as “one of the best UK jazz recordings I’ve heard this year” by Marlbank’s Stephen Graham on its release. Since then he has released a further two albums, The Fresh Sound Ensemble’s Common Threads, and Mind Ear Ladder from the quintet Alex co-leads with trumpeter Steve Fishwick. The Merritt/Fishwick Quintet previously played at the club as part of their Arts Council funded tour in 2022.

Elliot Galvin emerged in the 2010s and has been recognised as one of the finest pianists of his generation. His critically acclaimed trio have released 4 albums to date being named one of the 2018 albums of the year in both Downbeat and Jazzwise Magazines and winning the prestigious European Young Musician of the year Award in 2014. Elliot is a prolific sideman touring internationally and recording with Shabaka Hutchings, Norma Winstone, Marius Neset, Mark Lockheart, Emma Jean Thackray and the Mercury Nominated band Dinosaur, amongst many others.

Will Harris is one of Bristol’s finest bassists, who somehow manages to juggle the twin careers of musician and medical doctor. Some years back now Will completed a Masters at the Royal Academy, which allowed him to make many contacts in London, so he is often to be found playing in the capital – notably with saxophonist Matt Anderson and the big band of trumpet star Simon Gardner [Strictly Come Dancing, Robbie Williams etc].

Jeremy Stacey is a huge star in the world of drumming. He started his career by wowing the London jazz scene alongside his twin brother guitarist Paul in the Stacey Brothers. Another musician who has been sucked in to the mysterious Frome jazz vortex, Jeremy frequently performs in his new home town with sax legend Iain Ballamy. Prior to this however, he became one of the UK’s top rock and pop session drummers with an astonishing CV which includes Sheryl Crow, the Finn Brothers, Nick Harper, Noel Gallagher, The Waterboys, Thomas Anders, Echo & the Bunnymen, Eurythmics, Joe Cocker, Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes, Adam F, Andrea Bocelli, Patricia Kaas, Susanna Hoffs, Mike Scott, Robbie Williams, Aztec Camera, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Nerina Pallot and for a bit of jazz Claire Martin (Take My Heart, 1999). So you should probably come to hear him.