Ben's Collectors Records presents

THE SIMON SPILLETT BIG BAND PLAYS TUBBY HAYES

"...the most swinging British big band since, well, time began."
Bebop Spoken Here

Hailed as "a living, breathing, positively fizzing jazz orchestra" ('Jazz Rag') the Simon Spillett Big Band burst onto the UK jazz scene 2021 with the purpose of revisiting the repertoire of the legendary British jazz icon, saxophonist Tubby Hayes, playing music Hayes' bands played during the 1960s and early 1970s, much of which hadn't been heard publicly since his death in 1973.

The band is a genuinely 'all star' unit, comprising a line-up of stellar UK jazz soloists, many bandleaders in their own right, led with wit, charisma and style by multi-award winning saxist Simon Spillett.

The band has headlined at many major UK jazz festivals (EFG London, Wigan, Scarborough, Herts, Southend, Swanage) and played sold out club dates at such legendary UK jazz venues as the 100 Club, the Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho and the Concorde Club.

The band recently released its first album, DEAR TUBBY H. (Mister PC Records) which garnered a rare five star review in 'Jazzwise' magazine who opined "Fierce or fancy, they can do it all."
'Jazz Journal' called the recording "..a remarkable win for British jazz, which hands down plays as one of the most exciting big band recordings in recent years."

Another review states simply of the orchestra "This is big band music turned up to eleven!"


Simon Spillett (tenor sax, leader)

TRUMPETS
Ryan Quigley
Mark Armstrong
Steve Fishwick
Freddie Gavita

TROMBONES
Trevor Myers
Andy Flaxman
Ian Bateman
Pete North

SAXES
Sammy Mayne
Pete Long
Robert Fowler
Simon Allen
Alan Barnes

RHYTHM SECTION
Rob Barron
Alec Dankworth
Pete Cater