Meet the Jazz Not Jazz Musicians

Jazz not Jazz uses a pool of some of the finest musicians in the UK. Below is a potted biography of just some of the 'first call` players. These men and women are the first to be phoned and are chosen not only for their musical skill but for their wide knowledge of music repertoire, party playing experience, great personality, for being co-operative and approachable and of course, their reliability!

You will have heard Jazz not Jazz musicians on film music, advert music, Television themes and records. These players below have the musical capability to cover any of the following in the correct and authentic style. Rock, Soul, Pop, Disco, Dixieland, Swing, Rat Pack, New Orleans Boogie and many others.

Mark Pearson: Guitarist and vocalist. Mark is a dyed in the wool Rock and Roller. His playing career includes stints with Billy Ray Cyrus, Take That and even, dare we say it, Gary Glitter! He has a recording studio in North London where he has produced and written jingles and themes for T.V. shows. His credits include such diverse names as Davina Macall, East Enders, Noel Edmonds and the National Lottery. He has appeared in a number of London Stage shows including Elvis the Musical and Blues Brothers meet the Soul Sisters. Mark is under the impression he is the spitting image of Richard Gere.

Andy Herbert: Bass player Andy has been a big name on the London session and gigging scene since the early eighties. He has worked with such bands as Working Week, Wall Street Crash, The Nolan Sisters, yes that`s right, the Nolan Sisters! and was Musical Director for Motown girl group The Flirtations. He has also played with Phil Collins and Eddie Reader and has recorded many T.V. jingles and albums. Totally bald he is often mistaken for the International referee Pierre Colina.

Steve Bruce: Master groove drummer Steve has, and still is, in great demand across London and all over the U.K. He has appeared with such artists as Cliff Richard, Billy Ocean and Rick Parfitt from Status Quo. He was drummer in the West End hit Godspell for many years. Steve lives in a sleepy part of the world south of Guildford with his wife and cats. He also runs a wonderful music instrument shop in Earlsfield, Southside Music.

Al Nicholls: David Niven lookalike Al is one of the best tenor and baritone sax players in the country. He has appeared on numerous t.v. and film sessions, has played live with Van Morrison, Eric Clapton and Mike Sanchez and is very busy with his own popular band Blue Harlem. See them live at the Dover Street Wine Bar and famous venue The Hundred Club. His speciality is his flexibility. He is equally at home playing soul, swing or funk. It is impossible to get a conversation out of him. Come the 2012 Olympics we expect him to be the Captain of the British Reticent Mute team!

Dave Priseman: Trumpeter and Drummer, Dave has also appeared as a bass player for us on a number of occasions! He is quite simply one of the most musical people on the planet. Respected by his peers primarily for his jazz playing he also plays every other genre of music in the most fantastic way. Dave has no ego whatsoever and is charming company. Single, he doesn't drink or smoke and would therefore be a cheap date for anyone looking for a partner! Dave also runs the Band Hammond Sauce featured on this site.

Jenny Carr: Australian Jenny came to England many years ago and worked with both Beverly Craven and Jason Donovan touring all over the world. Settled down now with two kids and a husband, Jenny has a busy schedule working as a top flight pianist all over the country. Her vocals are similar to Blossom Dearie. Jennys husband, John Lee, works regularly for Jazz not Jazz as a drummer particularly in the jazz, lounge and swing idiom. Interesting fact about John, he used to be a dairy farmer!

Steve Shaw: Steve has been a professional musician for 30 years and is still only 47! He has played trombone for the New Vaudeville Band, The Glen Miller Orchestra, The Pasadena Roof Orchestra and the Syd Laurence Orchestra. Although his studies were classical in nature he is equally at home in Jazz, Pop music and Swing. He has also played with many pop stars including Mark Almond, Dexies Midnight Runners and Robbie Williams.

Dave Berry: Dave is another all rounder and plays String Bass, Electric Bass and Tuba. He plays tours for the Pasadena Roof Orchestra but also works a heavy schedule with touring shows including  many for the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Every Summer he can be seen shivering in Regents Park playing for the Outdoor theatre there!