(TENOR SAXOPHONE / FLUTE)
The linchpin of this group is dynamic Australian tenor saxophonist Louise Elliott. Originally known for her appearances with cult rock outfits Laughing Clowns, The Saints, Ed Kuepper and Paul Kelly, she has since her arrival in London in 1985, performed with a wealth of international musicians, notably a distinguished selection of African and South American musicians from the Grand Union Orchestra, South African pianist Mervyn Africa and American drummer, the late Clifford Jarvis in his band The Jazz Prophets.
Louise has appeared with Brian Abraham's District Six, The Annie Whitehead Group and has toured regularly with British jazz guitarist Deirdre Cartwright. While working in London she has featured on recordings by Annie Whitehead, Jah Wobble and Deirdre Cartwright. Louise's own music reflects the diversity of these influences: a rich blend of saxophone with electric guitar, a fiery commitment to inspiring and energetic live performance which has been referred to in the media as "her profoundly diverse smorgasbord of funk, blues and rock" and "an African inspired jazz explosion".
(CONGAS / PERCUSSION)
Richard Ajileye provides the percussion element which is vital to several of Louise's compositions such as "Going Home" and "Tierra Roja". Once again a greatly respected musician with enormous experience his music displays a dedication to bringing attention to the significance of African and Latin conga and percussion in past and present jazz styles.
In addition to performing with The Jazzhearts he has performed extensively throughout Europe with The Jazz Warriors, Rowland Sutherland's Mistura and Byron Wallen's Sound Advice. Richard also demonstrates his considerable abilities as an astute arranger of drums and percussion in leading his own percussion big-band Afro Blok.
(TRUMPET)
Another South African musician Claude Deppa has resided in the UK for the last twenty years and is widely recognised as a fiery trumpeter in both free and structured big and small group jazz.
He regularly performs with Louise Elliott in The Grand Union Orchestra and Mervyn Africa Group and also operates as a free-lance for many visiting artists whose music ranges from calypso through juju to swing and improvised music.
His list of musical achievements is simply enormous having toured worldwide with British Council sponsored units and worked with smaller groups such as Courtney Pine, The Andy Sheppard Quintet and Brian Abraham's District Six.
He has also contributed his unique unpredictable trumpet sound to bigger aggregations such as The Brotherhood of Breath, Carla Bley's Very Big Band and Andy Sheppard's Big Co-Motion. He is currently developing his own large-scale brass ensemble Horns Unlimited.
(PIANO)
Originally from Capetown Mervyn's piano is the complete epitome of Afro jazz. A recognised band leader and composer he has worked with Louise Elliott for many years. An outstandingly talented musician, his life has followed the pattern of many of apartheid's jazz exiles and from 1981 began working regularly in Europe with fellow South Africans Hugh Masekela, Dudu Pukwana and Julian Bahula.
Mervyn's music has possibly been best described by John Fordham in the "Guardian" as displaying "much of the atmospheric intelligence of Abdullah Ibrahim's though Mervyn Africa's performances have an exuberant energy not always present in the older pianist's more stately manner." As such Mervyn's percussive piano style adds variety and a unique accent to a number of Louise's tunes while two of his own compositions "22nd September" featuring Louise on flute and "Something Jazzy" are regularly performed by The Jazzhearts. Recently he has released his own CD of solo Piano pieces "After the Storm"
(TROMBONE) www.earthmusic.com
Undoubtedly one of the most outstanding trombonists in the UK, Annie Whitehead arrived in London in 1981 and began playing numerous pop, reggae and soul sessions.
In 1982 she worked with various London based bands and the following year toured Africa with Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath and the USA with The Fun Boy Three and also worked with Pengiun Café Orchestra and Elvis Costello.
She formed her own group in 1984 and worked with District Six and the late John Stevens with whom she played frequently throughout the 1980's. In 1993 she toured and recorded with Carla Bley.
MARK BASSEY
(TROMBONE)
Mark joined as The Jazzhearts' trombonist for the 2001/2002 England tour. Originally having studied trombone and composition at Trinity College, London he is another highly regarded horn player and has played with NYJO, Loose Tubes, The Jazz Warriors, Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath, John Dankworth and Cleo Laine, Mike Westbrook and Ian Shaw.
On the salsa and latin circuit he has performed with Roberto Pla, La Clave and Cayenne, while on the 20's and 30's scene he has also worked with Echoes of Ellington and Vile Bodies with Stacey Kent. In addition to appearing with The Jazzhearts he is currently performing with the Julian Arguelles Quartet, Stan Sultzman's Big Band, Simon Woolf Quintet, Denis Colin's Dans les Condes (Paris), Roland Perrin's Blue Planet Orchestra and his own Mark Bassey Quartet. Mark works for the City Literary Institute teaching jazz harmony and improvisation and also jazz composition and arranging.
He runs a jazz combo class at the Centre for Young Musicians and teaches trombone at Trinity College of Music, the Royal Academy of Music and the Jarney Aebersold jazz summer school. He also takes occasional workshops at Goldsmiths College and the Guildhall School of Music.
(BASS GUITAR)
One of London's top bass players, Steve Lamb has toured all over Europe with a seemingly endless list of bands including Kevin Coyne and Ronnie Jordan. Recently he has been working with jazz vocalist / pianist Liane Carroll and Annie Whitehead.
(ELECTRIC GUITAR)
Chris is steeped in the blues tradition and brings a fresh and funky edge to everything he plays. Also a composer and singer Chris is a passionate soloist with feel and sensibility and is definitely regarded as an up and coming musician.
Previously he has performed extensively with jazz funk band Tribeca.
(DRUMS)
Greg Leppard has been a professional drummer for twelve years having made his breakthrough with funk outfit Wise Up.
He is currently regarded as one of London's most promising drummers and has recently toured internationally with funk band IZIT while also working alongside Steve Lamb with Liane Carroll.
