Saxophonist Simon Spillett

Simon’s appearances at the Chandos always draw a big crowd and a tremendous response to his breathtaking set of hard-swinging jazz, centered around the music of Britain’s first international jazz star, Tubby Hayes
Described by the late Humphrey Lyttelton as ‘formidable’, Simon Spillett has won several awards for his music, including the tenor saxophone category of the British Jazz Awards (2011), Jazz Journal magazine’s Critic’s Choice CD of the Year (2009) and Rising Star in the BBC Jazz Awards (2007).
He’s worked with Sir John Dankworth, Stan Tracey, Peter King and The Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra. He has recorded three albums, Introducing Simon Spillett, Sienna Red and Square One, all of which have received highly favourable reviews in both the specialist and national press. His festival, concert and club appearances across the UK have included sold-out gigs at Ronnie Scott’s and the Brecon Jazz Festival and he has broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s Jazz-Line Up with his own band.
He has also worked as a writer, penning the definitive biography of Tubby Hayes (The Long Shadow Of The Little Giant), articles for magazines including Jazz Journal and Record Collector and acting as a consultant for a number of jazz record labels, in which capacity he has written booklet essays for over seventy albums.
“Spillett doesn’t shake you by the hand so much as grab you by the throat…” Brian Morton, The Penguin Guide To Jazz Recordings
“Those of us who have caught him….have been left blinking in disbelief. It’s not only his mastery of the tenor saxophone, phenomenal though that is, but the absolute conviction of his playing that is so impressive.” Dave Gelly, The Sunday Observer
with Neil Angilley: piano • Jeremy Shoham: sax • Rick Finlay: drums • Yaron Stavi: bass