Ed Babar is a London based jazz and orchestral double bass player. He has performed on Jools Holland and the Graham Norton Show (Liam Gallagher), Radio 1 Live Lounge and the Michael Macintyre Show (Tom Odell), played live on The One Show (The Bevin Boys), recorded for Sky Arts and performed at Jazz Sous Les Pommiers (The Three Belles), and played in Ancenis for the Harpes Aux Marx Festival (Tara Minton).Ed has recorded orchestral soundtracks for ITV as well as albums for, amongst others, Mimika, Circuit, The Tara Minton Quartet and the Tim Boniface Ensemble.As an educator, Ed is a partner and workshop leader with Be Creative (www.becreativemusic.co.uk) and is head of Wider Opportunities for Merton Music Foundation. Ed is also the visiting double bass teacher and sectional coach at King's College School, Wimbledon and at Wimbledon High School.Ed is the founder and director of The Blues and Roots Ensemble.
Flavio Li Vigni has played and recorded, among others, with Greg Hutchinson (Dianne Reeves, Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Harry Connick Jr) Ameen Saleem (Roy Hargrove), Orchestra Macchina di Suoni featuring Dave Kikoski, Freddy Bryant, David Berkmann, Pete Churchill, Stefano D’Anna and Gianni Gebbia.
Flavio keeps a busy international touring schedule and his festival performances include London Jazz Festival, International Jazz Festival in Prudnik, Hamburger Jazztage, Alicante Jazz Festival, Bristonas Jazz Festival 2006, Vodice Jazz Festival 2009, Siscia Open Jazz and Blues Festival 2009, and Peter Gabriel’s Womad.
As an educator, Flavio has given workshops in Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Lithuania, Albania and has worked in several music institutions in Italy, Holland and the UK. In 2009 he was appointed Head of Percussion at Merton Music Foundation.
Pete Letanka is a professional jazz pianist and composer. He studied Jazz and Contemporary Music at Leeds College of Music, where he won a scholarship to spend a year studying under (Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition winner) Mark Polishook at the University of Maine, USA. He graduated in 1997 with a 1st class BA (hons) and the Leeds University Armes award for the highest mark in the year.
In 2005 he formed The Pete Letanka Trio and has performed regularly at leading jazz venues across the UK, including Ronnie Scotts, the Purcell Room and the Queen Elizabeth Hall. In 2005, he was signed to Zephyr Records (the award-winning jazz record label) who released his debut album, “Afrostocracy”.
David Lalljee is a freelance trombone performer, known for his gregarious onstage personality, and adaptability to many different musical styles.
He is co-founder and leader of Doolally Tap (www.doolallytap.co.uk), a 1920's hot jazz band whose raucous performances have led to continue to make a huge splash at vintage events all over the UK. He is also a leading light in well-known soulsters Soulfish, with whom he has appeared at Proms in the Park, Buckingham Palace (Golden Jubilee Concert) and on all the terrestrial TV channels. Other pop work has included performances with Suggs, Jimmy Somerville, Kym Mazelle and Caribbean stars Crossfyah and Red Plastic Bag, among many others. He has also played most of the major orchestral and operatic repertoire, working under conductors such as Sir Mark Elder, Owain Arwel Hughes, Richard Bonynge and Nick Collon.
David teaches trombone privately in London.
Maude Wolstenholme is currently a third year undergraduate student at the Royal Academy of Music where she is a recipient of the Oldhurst Trust Scholarship. Prior to Academy, Maude studied at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester for two years. Whilst there, she had the opportunity to perform frequently as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician at various venues around the UK and abroad.
Since returning to London, Maude has enjoyed playing in a range of musical styles. As well as playing frequently in symphonic projects at the Academy, she keeps busy as a freelance musician. Besides orchestral playing, she has played in several musical theatre and opera productions and is a member of an established ‘Abingdon Quintet’.
Having graduated from the Conservatory of Music Esteban Salsas (Santiago de Cuba) Victor Hecharria has been working as a professional trumpeter player and teacher since 2009.
Victor has previously toured Europe with the show, Havana Rumba, and is now working with bands that include - Modern Romance, The Congo Faith Healers, Ska Cubano, Omar Puentes and his Cuban Roots and the Hot Orange Big Band.
George Millard is a jazz and commercial woodwind player who performs in many different musical settings. He studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and at the University of North Texas where he studied with Brad Leali (Count Basie, Harry Connick Jr., Stevie Wonder). As well as performing and recording, George teaches classical and jazz saxophone at Christ’s Hospital School.
George splits his performing time between jazz, commercial music, and musical theatre ensembles. His commercial recording/performing credits include Jess Glynne, La Roux, John Newman, Jonas Blue, Steven Van Zandt, Peter Andre and numerous appearances on television including the BBC’s Top of the Pops. He has also performed with many of London’s finest jazz ensembles including the London Jazz Orchestra, the London City Big Band, the Jay Craig Orchestra, the Patchwork Jazz Orchestra, the Matt Roberts BigISH Band, the Sam Leak Big Band and, further afield, the Dallas Jazz Orchestra. Recent highlights include a trip to Russia with original members of the Ted Heath Orchestra.