BBC Introducing – Alex Merritt and Nick Malcolm Quartet

Bristol is an increasingly exciting place for jazz and improvisation at the moment, with a recent influx of musicians from London and other areas leading to new collaborations with established heavyweights of the Bristol music scene. Alex Merritt, a lyrical, creative and extremely well-read tenor player is one of the most exciting of these new additions. He collaborates with Bristol trumpet player Nick Malcolm, both as promoters of the new Fringe In The Round night, and in this burning contemporary jazz quartet.

Featuring stellar rhythm section of Henrik Jensen on double bass (Followed by Thirteen, The Puppini Sisters) and Dave Smith on drums (Mark Lockheart, Robert Plant)

the band focuses on lesser know compositions from the core jazz repertoire, with a particular emphasis on pieces by Thelonious Monk and Wayne Shorter. This will be an evening of contemporary jazz played at the highest level; plenty of swing, groove and interaction coming from a joyous celebration of the jazz tradition.

Alex Merritt – tenor sax, Nick Malcolm – trumpet, Henrik Jensen – bass, Dave Smith – drums