2026 marks a milestone anniversary for tenor saxophonist and bandleader Simon Spillett; 30 years on the UK jazz scene. Since his debut in the 1990s he has risen to become one of Britain’s most prominent jazz figures.

An instrumentalist with a powerful, straight-ahead style, drawing on the best of the jazz tradition and in particular the inspiration of an illustrious forebear, the late great Tubby Hayes (whose music he’ll be performing), he is highly popular attraction playing sold out gigs at the best jazz clubs and at virtually every festival of consequence with both his regular quartet and his star-studded big band.

As a recording artists he has released five well-regarded albums, with his big band debut CD, Dear Tubby H. (2023), garnering a much deserved five stars in Jazzwise.

He’s also picked up a clutch of awards; BBC Rising Star (2007), Jazz Journal Album of the Year (2008), Top Tenor Saxophone, British Jazz Awards (2011), and ‘Services to British Jazz’ (2016).

A charismatic performer, gifted with a dry observational wit, he’s never lost sight of the fact that jazz is entertainment as much as art and whether playing, writing or articulately holding forth on his favourite subject – UK jazz history – he’s an infectiously passionate communicator.

Indeed, between playing, he has found time to pen a widely-praised biography of Tubby Hayes (The Long Shadow of The Little Giant), write sleeve notes to over 150 albums, contribute articles to magazines and act as an anchor interviewee on documentaries for the BBC and Jazz FM.

​Simon Spillett (Tenor Saxophone), Pete Billington (Piano), Alec Dankworth (Double Bass),� Pete Cater (Drums).