Fleece Jazz

Derek Nash leads this swinging and bluesy trio featuring organist Jim Watson and George Double on drums. Mixing up Blue Note delights, Jimmy Smith stylings and a few compositions from Derek's Quartet and Sax Appeal repertoire, the outfit is becoming a firm favourite on the British Jazz scene.  Derek is renowned on the UK jazz scene for his energetic, passionate, and charismatic performances on all four saxophones.  His playing can take in blistering bebop, blues, soul, and funk; the organ trio play a mixture of jazz, funk, blues & Latin to suit all tastes.

Known most widely as the irrepressible saxophone star of the Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra and one of the hottest, funkiest players on the UK scene, Derek Nash received the British Jazz Award for best album for his Acoustic Quartet CD release Joyriding. He exudes an irresistible exuberance as both bandleader and as a distinguished jazz soloist and composer in his own right. As one of the UK’s busiest jazz musicians, he is the leader of six bands, each with its own unique sound and featuring some of the top jazz musicians in the UK today.  Derek has been a full-time member of the Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra since 2004 and featured on every Hootenanny TV show since then, performing with Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Amy Winehouse, Booker T and many more.  He is also a member of the Ronnie Scott’s Blues Explosion. 

Organist Jim Watson has worked with Kurt Elling, Sting, Incognito, Manu Katche and the BBC Radio Big Band. He is often seen on TV in the Strictly Come Dancing band and is a regular in Guy Barker's band, appearing on BBC4 at The Proms and elsewhere.

Drummer George Double has worked with Dame Shirley Bassey, Grammy award-winner Jack Jones, Marc Almond, Mica Paris, Ruthie Henshall and Kym Mazelle. His Introducing Drum Kit books have sold over 30,000 copies worldwide.

Come and hear this trio of outstanding musicians playing groove-laden standards and select originals from the organ trio’s debut album.

“When I hear Derek doing a brilliant solo, I start to move involuntarily" - Jools Holland

“Smooth cool to groovy funk, the music fizzes with energy” -  The Guardian

• Derek Nash - Saxophones
• Jim Watson - Organ
• 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.