Fleece Jazz

Based in the North-West of England, the Gaz Hughes trio, led by drummer Gaz Hughes, has been described as “Old school Jazz for the 21st Century” by promoter Dale Bassett of Sonata Lounge, Manchester.

Gaz is a renowned jazz drummer and band leader who first gained wide public attention as the original drummer in the Matthew Halsall Band. Having played a significant role in the early recordings of the Gondwana label, he was a notable highlight on the album “On The Go”, which won the Best Jazz Album of the Year at the Gilles Peterson Worldwide Awards in 2012, and was nominated for the Best Jazz Album MOBO Awards in 2011.

As a sideman, Gaz has performed with an impressive array of jazz artists, both in the UK and internationally, including Greg Abate, Bruce Adams, Guy Barker, Alan Barnes, Nat Birchall, Arun Ghosh, Matthew Halsall, Scott Hamilton, Tim Kliphuis, Tony Kofi, Ivo Neame, David Newton, Mark Nightingale, Ian Shaw, Art Themen, and many others. In 2020, Gaz released his debut album as a band leader, featuring Alan Barnes, Bruce Adams, and Dean Masser. This band became known informally as ‘The Gaz Messengers,’ and we were immensely lucky to have them at Fleece Jazz for the first time just over four years ago as part of their UK tour.

In May 2022, Gaz released a trio album ‘Beboperation’ which was well received by audiences and critics alike. Following its success, the trio recorded a follow-up album, ‘Beboptical Illusion’, featuring mostly original compositions and representing a new direction for the trio.  The album draws inspiration from a diverse range of genres, including Bebop, Latin, New Orleans, Avant-Garde and Modal influences, culminating in a unique and memorable sound. A fourth album, ‘Nuclear Bebopalypse’ was released a year later and promoted by a UK tour, including a second appearance at Fleece Jazz in 2024.

The trio also features Andrzej Baranek on piano, who many jazz fans will recognise as a member of the renowned Magic Hat Ensemble. A swinging, edgy and inventive pianist, he has performed with many UK jazz stars including Dave O’Higgins and Enrico Tomasso and is one of the most in-demand accompanists in the North-West. Completing the lineup on double bass is Gavin Barras, who performs regularly throughout the UK and abroad in a variety of projects.  Gavin has performed as part of the Matthew Halsall band for over 15 years as well as at regular sold-out gigs in UK venues such as Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Stoller Hall, The Barbican and Union Chapel.  Internationally, Gavin has performed at multiple jazz festivals throughout the world, and he has also made several appearances on BBC Radio and TV.

“They rarely deliver anything less than excellence, and today topped just about everything that had preceded it. I feel sad for the squares who weren’t there.” - Bebop Spoken Here

“Two superb sets from some of the UK’s finest Jazz musicians” - The Jazz Mann
                                                           

• Gaz Hughes - Drums
• Andrzej Baranek - Piano
• Gavin Barras - Bass

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.