Stratford Jazz are back at Rother Street and will be bringing you high quality, modern jazz every second Wednesday of the month.
December’s Jazz Club will be led by the talented Chris Gibbons.
Chris grew up in the London blues boom of the late 60s having turned down lan Fraser (Free ) for his bass player, he formed a band with members of American blues man Freddie King’s backing group including Lou Martin (later Rory Gallagher) and was offered a record deal, first recording with the Bee Gees arranger and orchestra at London’s Olympic studios, then produced by Micky Jones (Foreigner) at Island studios with Gary Wright (Spooky Tooth, George Harrison and Dreamweaver).
With his firm foundation in American blues, soul and R&B, he was first call for many American soul acts including the showstoppers (ain’t nothing but a house party). Viola Wills, Doris Troy, The Soul Survivors and Ben E King.
He toured the USA and recorded with the Original Truth label, a subsidiary of Stax records, where the band was attracting the interest of Quincy Jones who attended the rehearsals, but sadly the limited ‘green card” visa forced to return to the UK where he continued his arranging and session work.
The list of artists and producers he worked for include producers John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) Del Newman (Elton John) Guy Fletcher O.B.E., and artistes as diverse as Leo Sayer, Chas and Dave, Linda Lewis and many others.
He is an established composer of film production music writing for electronic, chamber and full orchestral ensembles.
Recent years have seen a transition into jazz, playing at Ronnie Scotts club London, and recording with the award winning Neil Crowley trio, Laura Mula and the London Community Gospel Choir.
Joining Chris will be a frontline of Richard Baker (trombone), Stratford Jazz promoter Jay Riley (Tenor Sax) and a rhythm section consisting of Matt Ball (Piano) Adrian Litvinoff (double bass) and Tom Voce (drums).
Doors: 7.30pm
Starts: 8pm
