Quintessential Jazz Sextet

Name: Quintessential Jazz Sextet
Start: 2026-04-24T20:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-04-24T20:00:00+01:00
Location: Wakefield Sports Club

About

The Quintessential Jazz Sextet brings together some of the UK’s finest contemporary jazz musicians, combining virtuosity, swing, and soul in performances that celebrate the rich tradition of jazz while keeping it fresh and vibrant.
Fronted by award-winning tenor saxophonist Liam Byrne, a torchbearer of the jazz saxophone tradition with a warm, swinging tone inspired by Lester Young and Wardell Grey, and trombonist Andrew [Surname], whose versatile playing channels influences from Tommy Dorsey to Bob Brookmeyer, the quintet delivers a sound that’s both deeply rooted and forward-looking.
The harmonic and rhythmic backbone is provided by pianist Andy Cholerton, one of Northern England’s most respected jazz pianists, Portuguese bassist José Canha, whose elegant lines frame every ensemble perfectly, and drummer Paul Smith, a versatile, dynamic percussionist and house drummer at Huddersfield’s famed Head of Steam. Adding further sparkle, guitarist, composer, and bandleader Derrick Harris brings virtuosity and creativity honed through performances with top orchestras, teaching, and studio work.
Together, the Quintessential Jazz Sextet fuses lyrical melody, swinging grooves, and imaginative improvisation, delivering performances that delight seasoned jazz aficionados and new audiences alike. Their concerts are a masterclass in technique, ensemble interplay, and the sheer joy of live jazz.