Hulljazz - 2006

Sarah and Chris Bennett started the band in 1997 and they perform a wide repertoire from the jazz canon, from the American songbook and bossa nova tunes sung in Brazilian Portuguese, to contemporary jazz classics. So George Shearing and Johnny Mercer could meet Kenny Wheeler and Norma Winstone and salute Tom Jobim along the way! The band's distinctive sound (she sings in her native English accent) is earning it recognition on the UK jazz circuit. Tracks from her CD "Willow's Song" have been played on 'Jazz Record Requests' and Humphrey Lyttleton's 'Best of Jazz'.

They have just released their latest CD, "The Astronomer's Guest", where the voice is used as an instrumental accompaniment to create a series of mood-creating pieces. They have made numerous national appearances, most notably at the Brecon, Manchester, Southport, Teignmouth and Marlborough jazz festivals.

Chris Bennett on piano is the band MD and wrote all the original material on "The Astronomer's Guest".

Between them, guitarist Pat Sprakes and bassist Geoff Pearson have played with a long list of jazz luminaries. To name a few from the US: Art Farmer, James Moody, Teddy Edwards, Tal Farlow, Mark Murphy, Scott Hamilton, Jean Toussaint, Darius Brubeck, Mundell Lowe, Johnny Griffin, Harry Allen and Warren Vaché. From these shores: Tony Kofi, Ronnie Scott, Tubby Hayes, Dave O'Higgins, Don Rendell, Ian Carr, Guy Barker, Jim Mullen, Art Themen, Barbara Thompson, Alan Barnes, Pete King, Orphry Robinson and Alan Skidmore.

Mitch Oldham (drums) specialises in World percussion and was instrumental in developing the 'Nottingham School of Samba'. With 'Battuta' he has performed and work-shopped throughout the UK and Europe. He has toured the world and the UK with bands such as Gerry and the Pacemakers, Brian Poole and Wayne Fontana and is currently touring with P J Proby.