Line Up
Andy Hillier, Trombone/Vocals
Andy Hillier studied jazz at the Leeds College of Music where he performed with many bands, including the Duke Ellington Repertory Orchestra and the Al Wood Big Band, under whom he also studied the trombone. Andy has always been a vintage jazz fan. At an early age he discovered recordings of his hero George Chisholm in his grandfather's record collection and has loved the trombone ever since. Being a vintage jazz trombone specialist, he has performed with many jazz bands of this style, including The Pasadena Roof Orchestra, The Charleston Chasers, The Cotton Club Orchestra and the world famous Guinness Jazz Band lead by one of Ireland's greatest drummers, Des Hopkins. The London Hot Rhythm Boys, lead by John Sutton of the Chris Barber Jazz Band, features some of the UK's finest jazz musicians - and who performs trombone in the band? None other than Andy Hillier from Andy Hillier's Hot Jazz Aces! Andy tours England and Europe regularly playing in jazz festivals, theatres and jazz clubs, such as the Cork Jazz Festival and the Storyville Jazz Club. Andy has even been spotted on board cruise ships, including the QE2 and the Westerdam, performing as a guest musician on jazz and big band cruises.
Damian Cook, Clarinet Damian, who gained a BA in Jazz Studies at the Leeds College of Music, is one of the UK's leading reed players. Starting flute at the age of 8, he now plays all saxes, clarinet, and piccolo. At College he met Andy Hillier, joined the Imperial Young Gentlemen's Dance Orchestra and the rest, as they say, is history! While at college he won awards for both performing, composition. In 2004 he won the Soloist of the Year Award in the BBC Big Band competition, leading to a live broadcast on Radio 2, when he played Lover Man arranged by none other than your friend and mine - Phil Steel! He is currently touring with Chicago and the Rat Pack. Previous bands include Kings of Swing, Memphis Belle Orchestra, The New Sqaudronnaires, Glenn Miller Tribute Orchestra, The Guinness Jazz Band, cruise ships including QE2, Al Wood Big Band, house band on the "Nia" chat show (S4C), NYJO, NYJO of Wales, as well as various jazz groups in all shapes and sizes inluding Jamie Taylor's band Java. Learn even more about Damian at www.myspace.com/damiancooks .
Mike Davis, Trumpet
From picking up his first trumpet at the age of six, the music that Mike always wanted to play was jazz and swing. Now at the age of 20 there is no stopping the boy! Mike has performed with many touring bands in the jazz swing idiom, including - The Andy Prior Big Band, The World's Biggest Big Band, The Memphis Belle Swing Orchestra (from the film 'Memphis Belle'), The New Squadronnaires Orchestra, and The Glenn Miller Tribute Orchestra. Mike tours the UK and Europe regularly performing in touring shows, jazz festivals and many other musical performances. Currently studying at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts Mike is one of the country`s finest jazz/lead trumpeters and is also playing with legendary The Syd Lawrence Orchestra. He is a true vintage jazz enthusiast and plays the hottest jazz trumpet in town! See Mike at work and at play at www.myspace.com/mikedavistrumpet
Jamie Taylor, Banjo/Guitar
Jamie Taylor has worked with leading UK musicians like Alan Barnes, Jim Mullen, Steve Brown, Gary Potter, and Mercury Music Prize nominee Richard Hawley, played with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, made several television appearances, and is a contributor to the American magazine 'Just Jazz Guitar'. In 2005 Jamie featured at the North Wales International Jazz Guitar Festival sharing the bill with Jim Mullen, Trefor Owen, and ex-'Police' guitarist Andy Summers. He is also a member of the jazz faculty at Leeds College of Music. Jamie's conversion to the plectrum banjo has been relatively recent, but his love for the instrument grows with every Hot Jazz Aces performance! See more of Jamie`s extra-curricular creativity at www.jamie-taylor.com
Eddie Jackson, Sousaphone/Double bass
Starting his musical career as a boy chorister at Wndsor Castle, Eddie completed a degree in music at Newcastle University. Whilst playing bass in a wide variety of bands from funk and soul to jazz and rock 'n' roll, he recorded and toured with, amongst others, a reincarnation of 70's group Magna Carta and Martyn Joseph. He toured as support band with Shakin` Stevens, not to mention Paper Lace - which he does n`t - and also recorded with Christopher Norton and the late Harry Secombe! He has written incidental music for Radio 4 and a piece for organ, harpsichord and strings which was performed at the Organ Festival in Perth, Australia. Currently his main work is with a Django Rheinhardt style jazz trio. It was Andy Hillier`s flippant aside that "all bass players should play the sousaphone" which started a new journey leading to the Hot Jazz Aces.
Phil Steel, Percussion
Phil hails from Cambridge and has lived in Leeds since graduating from the Leeds College of Music in 2003. As well as playing drums, piano and saxophone, Phil is also a keen arranger and was holder of the 'Yorkshire Television Prize for Arranging' for four years running, as well as winning the BBC Big Band Competition (Arrangers' Category) in both 2003 and 2004. When not writing music, Phil can be seen performing with the New Squadronnaires, the Glenn Miller Tribute Orchestra, John Miller and his Orchestra to name a few. He has also toured nationally with 'Annie', 'Kings of Swing' and the 'Bobby Darin Songbook' as well as playing pantomimes at Leeds Civic Theatre and Lincoln's Theatre Royal. Phil has performed with many fine jazz artists including Don Weller, Mike Walker, Bruce Adams, Roy Williams, Mark Nightingale, Tina May, Al Wood, Dave Liebman and Bob Mintzer. Go to www.philsteelmusic.com to hear some of Phil`s wonderful arrangements and for some more pictures! |
