Jeff Clyne – Bass 
For over 30 years has worked and recorded with British and American Jazz Greats. Highly experienced, respected and sought after bass player and accompanist for singers. Plays at numerous European Jazz Festivals. Active in Jazz education for many years. Professor for Jazz at the Guildhall School of Music and Associate Professor at the Royal Academy of Music. Musical Director for London International Jazz Competition. Musical Director for Mehr Clef Jazz Summer School.

Jeff Clyne passed away in November 2009 and is still very much missed by all. He was an important member of the team from the the very beginning of MEhr Clef and it is very sad that a whole new generation of Jazz musician will never have the opportunity to benefit from his teaching, experience and wisdom.



Malcolm Edmonstone - Piano
Studied at The Guildhall School with Pete Churchill and Simon Purcell, attaining BA and MA. Active as a player, writer and arranger. Appeared on all major UK TV networks, wrote and performed original music for ITV drama ‘Taggart’, recorded with conductor Lorin Maazel, worked with Laurie Holloway on BBC1’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing.Toured with with Jacqui Dankworth and the late legendary Marion Montgomery. Worked with some of UK’s top Jazz instrumentalists including Steve Waterman, Stan Sulzman, Pete Hurt and Martin Hathaway. Teaches at at Guildhall (Jazz and classical) and Middlesex University. Taught numerous summer schools, including Wavendon, Silsoe, Mediterranean Jazz Summer School and the Montgomery/Holloway Music Trust.

Mark Hodgson - Bass 
Originally played electric bass in funk and fusion bands, but aged eighteen was inspired to take up the double bass after seeing The Oscar Peterson Trio featuring Ray Brown. Moved to London in 1995 to study Double Bass and Electric Bass at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Based in Spain from late 1998 until 2002. Played and recorded with a wide range of musicians, from members of The Police and The Rolling Stones to Paul McCartney, Jamie Cullum, The London Symphony Orchestra and Electronica wizard Matthew Herbert. Worked with many jazz artists including Cedar Walton, Phil Woods, Steve Grossman, Randy Brecker, Larry Coryell, Kenny Wheeler and Greg Osby. Involved in a diverse range of projects, from film music to Hip Hop and R&B records, he has also been a regular member of Bill Bruford’s ‘Earthworks’, Billy Cobham’s ‘Art Of 5’, The Bill Charlap’s European Trio, Tim Garland’s 'Underground Orchestra', The Julian Joseph Trio featuring Mark Mondesir and a new band co led by pianist Jason Rebello and drummer Jeremy Stacey. Professor for Jazz at Birmingham Conservatoire.
www.myspace.com/hodgebass

Nikki Iles - Piano
Pianist, composer, arranger, teacher, performer of international repute and a major presence on the British Jazz scene. Highlights in the past years have included The Julian Arguelles Octet (Germany), The Perfect Houseplants (Milan), The Anglo Canadian Project, Kenny Wheeler and Stan Sulzmann (Jyvaskyla - Finland), Tony Coe, Mark Lockheart (Ronnie Scotts), Tina May (UK, USA and Japan), Norma Winstone. Recorded two CDs under her own name. Professor at the Royal Academy of Music and visiting professor at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Part of the team at The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. Developed an exciting series of graded ABRSM Jazz exam pieces. Tutor at numerous workshops and summer schools worldwide.
www.nikkiiles.co.uk

Tina May - Vocals
Classically trained singer and actress. Wide experience of cabaret, club and concert singing. Highly versatile and experimental Jazz vocalist and recording artist. Respected lyricist and in demand as a teacher and clinician, both in Europe and the USA. Senior lecturer at conservatories including Trinity College of Music, Leeds College of Music, Birmingham Conservatory and Royal Academy of Music. Artistic Director for London International Jazz Competition.
www.tinamay.com


Dave O’Higgins - Sax
Dave is undoubtedly one of this country’s finest modern jazz sax players. His powerful, driving, style has been a feature of the scene since his work with NYJO in the early 80’s, and has been heard with Cleo Lane & John Dankworth, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Jimmy Smith and Annie Lennox to name but a few. A multi award winner (British Jazz awards twice!) he has produced 9 albums to date of his own work, and has appeared on numerous sessions and festivals around the world. Teaching: Guildhall, Royal Academy, Royal Northern College of Music, Birmingham Conservatoire, University of Natal, University of Cape Town. Workshops: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Senegal, South Africa, Sri-Lanka, Venezuela.
www.daveohiggins.com


Mike Outram - Guitar
Studied at Leigh College Music Centre with Steve Willingham, Steve Berry, Gary Boyle and Mike Walker. Gained experience playing with many groups on the Manchester music scene including John Ellis Big Bang, Pocket Central, The Fresh Vibes, Amazonia and with Tim France and Andy Morel. Moved to London in 1998 and has played a key role in the UK based groups including Dave O'Higgins, Martin Speake, Tony Woods Project, Double Talk, Jacqui Dankworth and The Inner Noise. Worked with Herbie Mann, Carleen Anderson, Cinematic Orchestra, Tim Ries, Harvey Brough, Tim Whitehead, M.J. Cole, Nikki Iles, Stan Sulzmann, Photek, John Halliwell, Issie Barratt, Gwyneth Herbert and has played with guitarists Martin Taylor, Jim Mullen and John Etheridge.Toured internationally, recorded over 50 CDs for Universal, Sony, Candid records and others and won the 'Best Group in Europe' award with Grooveyard in Spain. Guitar Professor at Trinity College of Music, The Royal Academy of Music and Thames Valley University. Taught at Glamorgan and Burnley summer schools and has given numerous workshops and clinics internationally. Writes monthly column for Guitarist Magazine.
www.mikeoutram.com


Richard Rozze - Guitar
Guitarist and composer. BA Hons Music (1st) followed by MA Hons Music at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Studied jazz, rock, classical, blues, and funk guitar under various teachers including John Parricelli, Dave Cliff, Colin Oxley and Jeff Alexander. Performed with a wide variety of musicians including Paul Booth (saxophone), Richard Bailey (drums), Victoria Newton (vocals), Dick Pearce (trumpet), Brendan Power (harmonica). Actively involved in music education,teaching guitar and lecturing Jazz and Popular Music at Canterbury Christ Church University.


Rick Simpson – Piano
Studied classical piano from the age of eight. At 15 joined the Durham County Big Band where he first came into contact with swing and jazz. Was offered the job of assistant piano and vocal tutor on the Burnley and Musicians Union Jazz Summer Schools at 16. Studied with Nikki Iles and Simon Purcell. BMus at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Parliamentary Award Winner 2008. Performed with Tim Garland, Mark Nightingale, Steve Waterman,  Lee Gibson, Jeff Clyne, Trevor Tomkins,Alan Barnes, Brigitte Beraha amongst others. Performed at the Ealing Jazz Festival, Maidstone Jazz Festival, Appleby Jazz Festival and venues including the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, 606 Club and The Sage Gateshead.
www.ricksimpson.co.uk


Stan Sulzmann - Saxophone, Flute
Without question one of the most highly respected musicians in the UK today. Admired by musicians and audiences for his instantly recognizable sound and boundless creative imagination and a source of inspiration to many of Britain’s emerging young musicians. Has been at the forefront of European contemporary jazz and sought by a host of discerning musicians including Gil Evans, Mike Gibbs, Clarke/Francy Boland and Michael Brecker. Constantly in demand as a guest soloist. Performed with bands across Europe including Hilversum Radio Orchestra, NDR Big Band (alongside Chet Baker), Hanover Radio Symphony Orchestra and New York Composers Orchestra. An accomplished and distinguished composer, internationally recognized for his writing talents.
www.stansulzmann.co.uk


Simon Thorpe - Bass
One of the UK’s most popular bass players. Leads several bands, including improPHONICS, the funky electric band playing original material, Jivin' Miss Daisy and The Simon Thorpe Octet, contemporary jazz. His double bass style is strong and melodic, and has featured on numerous CDs with artists such as Stacey Kent, Alan Barnes, Bobby Wellins and Martin Speake. Directed Jackson's Lane Jazz Workshop in Highgate for nine years, including three years of summer schools. Taught at Trinity College of Music and at the Guildhall School of Music. Involved in auditioning, accompanying and examining students. Taught Glamorgan Jazz Summer School.


Trevor Tomkins – Drums and Percussion
Worked and recorded with British and American Jazz Greats as well as artists such as Bing Crosby and The King Singers. Plays at numerous UK and European Jazz Festivals. One of the most experienced and respected drummers on the Jazz scene. Highly regarded teacher. Associate Professor for Jazz at the Royal Academy, Professor for Jazz at the Guildhall School of Music, Senior Lecturer at Trinity College of Music, London College of Music and other Colleges and Universities in the UK. Musical Director for London International Jazz Competition.


Steve Waterman – Brass
Renowned as one of the top British Jazz trumpet players both at home and on the International scene. Began his career while studying at Trinity College Of Music, and since then has worked regularly on the British and European Jazz scene. Recorded four critically acclaimed CDs under own name. Co-wrote a highly acclaimed Jazz Trumpet tutor book with John O’Neil ‘The Jazz Method For Trumpet’, published by Schott & Co. Professor for Jazz trumpet at Trinity College of Music in London and visiting Jazz trumpet specialist at The Royal Northern College of Music and The Welsh College of Music And Drama. Teaches summer Jazz courses and has conducted numerous Trumpet master classes and workshops of varying sizes in the UK, Spain, America, Finland, Latvia and Cuba. 
www.stevewaterman.co.uk


Nick Weldon - Piano
One of the most experienced players and teachers on the British Jazz scene. For 25 years has played with many British Greats including Ronnie Scott, Bobby Wellins, and Don Weller, and visiting Americans artists such as Sonny Stitt, Johnny Griffin, Eddie Henderson, Art Farmer and Dewey Redman. A highly acclaimed accompanist of singers, and known for his work with international artists. Also plays double bass and is a member of the Northampton Symphony Orchestra. Professor for Jazz at the Royal Academy of Music and Trinity College of Music. Teaches workshops at own converted Shoefactory studio in Northamptonshire.
www.jazzpiano.co.uk 

Norma Winstone - Vocals
Most accomplished and respected vocalist and teacher. Began her career singing Jazz standards, became involved in the avant garde movement, exploring the use of the voice in an experimental way. Worked extensively with many of the major European and American names. Together with John Taylor and Kenny Wheeler formed the group AZIMUTH, one of the most imaginatively conceived contemporary chamber Jazz groups. Recorded numerous CDs. A fine lyricist, most notably ‘The Peacocks’ and ‘Ladies In Mercedes’, which has become a standard. In 2001 won the title of Best Vocalist in the BBC Jazz Awards. 2007 awarded MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
www.normawinstone.com