For over a quarter of a century, the James Taylor Quartet has set the standard for the coolest funky acid jazz. With their prolific recording and live schedule, they’ve quietly become a byword for distinguished British creativity. Driven by Taylor’s funky Hammond B3 Organ and Fender Rhodes grooves their relentlessly entertaining tunes take their inspiration from Boogaloo funk of the sixties and the rare-groove style funk of the seventies.
Treading new ground in 2015 they enjoyed great success with their Rochester Mass album, recorded with the choir of Rochester Cathedral. However, it’s firm fan favourites as Jimmy Smith’s Rootdown and Gene Ammons’ infectious Jungle Strut that get the crowds going and which can also be heard on their live album ‘Bumpin’ On Frith Street’ released in 2016. Unmissable.
Line up (subject to change): James Taylor (Hammond organ), Andrew McKinney (bass), Pat Illingworth (drums), Mark Cox (guitar), Nick Smart (trumpet), Gareth Lockrane (flute), Yvonne Yanney (vocals).