Formed by Andy Hillier to satisfy his love of early jazz, the Hot Jazz Aces grew from the seed of Andy's former band at Leeds College of Music - The Imperial Young Gentlemen's Dance Orchestra. (It also provided him with another opportunity to think of a long band name). Damian Cook and Phil Steel are old friends of Andy and were members of that early college band. They formed the nucleus around which to mould the new ensemble. Mike Davis, whose musicianship impressed Andy immensely when they worked together with The Memphis Belle Orchestra, completed the frontline. Jamie Taylor, being another of the Leeds College collective was the obvious choice for banjo and guitar. Eddie Jackson played bass in occasional bands with Andy, and as Andy's sousaphone protégé, had his name down for the band from the moment he had his first lesson!