Fleece Jazz

The songs of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen – better known as Steely Dan – stood apart in 1970s rock: cryptic lyrics, sophisticated detail and deep roots in “the best jazz players of the ‘50s and ‘60s”. 

Steely Jazz reimagines this opulent songbook, illuminating singular melodies, rich harmonies and small-group jazz possibilities. Featuring well-known pieces (Rikki Don’t Lose That Number, Josie, Reelin' in the Years), alongside classic tracks and deep cuts from the masterpiece albums Aja, Gaucho, Countdown To Ecstasy, Katy Lied et al, Steely Jazz is a fresh, exciting celebration of two giants of 20th Century popular music.

Rated by The London Evening Standard as “one of Britain’s best singer-pianists", Chris Ingham has performed over 250 festival and club performances of his repertoire shows and has released four acclaimed CDs: Hoagy, Dudley, Stan and Hoagy II. He is musical director of film song quintet Jazz at the Movies and classic modern jazz sextet Rebop. Chris is also a record producer, author and TV composer.

Arranger and trumpeter for NYJO for many years, Paul Higgs has worked as a musical director at the RSC and National Theatre, as a TV and film composer and a record engineer and producer. One of the UK's most resourceful and expressive jazz trumpeters, Paul has worked with Nancy Wilson, Shorty Rogers and John Dankworth.

Multi-instrumentalist Harry Greene has performed alongside Cory Wong, Mica Paris, PBUG, Ricky Wilson, Prince’s side-woman Marva King and was part of the Royal Albert Hall “Ronnie Scott’s at 60” gala. He is co-leader (with singer Ashton Jones) and musical director of Funk Soul Orchestral who have performed sold-out shows at Ronnie Scott’s and venues throughout the UK.

An arranger, composer, bassist and producer of renown, in a 35-year career Geoff Gascoyne has worked with Michel Legrand, Van Morrison, Georgie Fame, Sir Willard White, US3, Sting, Charlie Watts, Benny Golson, Bill Bruford, Jacqui Dankworth, John Martyn, Dianne Reeves, Guy Barker, Claire Martin, Eartha Kitt and played a major part in the rise of Jamie Cullum with whom he worked exclusively from 2000 to 2007.

Friend of Fleece Jazz, George Double drums with Art Themen’s Organ Trio, John Etheridge’s Blue Spirits and many of Chris Ingham’s projects including Rebop and Jazz at the Movies. He has worked with Dame Shirley Bassey, Grammy Award Winner Jack Jones, Marc Almond, Mica Paris, Ruthie Henshall, Paul Jones and Kym Mazelle and has played on West End shows Wicked, Guys and Dolls, Avenue Q, Sinatra and Anything Goes. He is also a respected published drum educator, notably for Trinity College, London.

• Chris Ingham - Piano/Guitar/Vocals
• Paul Higgs - Trumpet/Piano/Melodica
• Harry Greene - Tenor sax/Guitar
• Geoff Gascoyne - Bass
• George Double - Drums

Fleece Jazz is an independent, non-profit association run by a voluntary committee who have been providing modern and contemporary jazz for 28 years. They book talented musicians and jazz bands from the UK and beyond to perform at Stoke by Nayland Resort, providing the perfect backdrop for these cherished and popular events.

Fleece Jazz events are generally held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.