“I’m very proud to wear the label of jazz musician. It’s the greatest music in the world for me. I just want to play straight-ahead acoustic jazz. Four guys – me and a rhythm section – that’s what I do. Or a quintet, or whatever Bebop-based jazz, straight-ahead – it’s the thing I want to do and the thing I do best.” Simon Spillett, The Jazz Rag.
Originally influenced by the great Tubby Hayes, Simon has since forged an original style which adds a contemporary touch to the grand tradition of modern jazz saxophone. A winner of the Britich Jazz Award for Tenor Saxophone in 2011 he had already won Rising Star in the BBC Jazz Awards for 2007 and his CD “Sienna Red” won the Jazz CD award in 2009 – Simon’s star has well and truly risen. “Those of us who have heard him…have been left blinking in disbelief…mastery of the tenor saxophone…absolute conviction of his playing is so impressive” DAVE GELLY, THE OBSERVER
“His sound is his own, as is his approach to phrasing…..he operates in the same high energy hard bop territory that Hayes did”
PETER VACHER – JAZZWISE May 2008 (Review of “Sienna Red”)
“I have heard no-one in years who compares to tenorist Simon Spillett, a miraculous player who sounds like a reincarnation of Tubby Hayes but with his own personality. Catch him 
wherever he is. Astounding!”
JOHN MARTIN – THE JAZZ RAG
“He’s stood old head and young shoulders above many of his contemporaries as a live performer for several years. Five stars for knowing how to play jazz when so many of his generation think they can but can’t.”
BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE
“This is saxophone playing of the highest order. Consistency of tone throughout the range of the tenor, the infallible note production irrespective of tempo and the ability to think a long way ahead so there are no loose ends to Simon’s improvising. “
ALUN MORGAN – JAZZ JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL
“Such a terrific tenor player. I was astonished by what I heard. At times, it was like Tubby coming back!”.
TONY HALL, (Veteran club compere and DJ, Hall produced Tubby’s Hayes recordings for the legendary Tempo label from 1955 to 1959)
“Spellbound! That’s all I can say! I went to see one of the UK’s leading saxophonists tonight and it was a sheer delight. Simon Spillett hit town with all the force of a force gale. His dapper look was a throwback to the days of Tubby Hayes and Zoot Sims and his two sets went by in the blink of an eye, it was that captivating. Hard Bop was followed by smooth Cole Porter, with some Dexter Gordon thrown in to please all: the full range. Spending some time chatting to Simon it was refreshing to find him so open and honest and willing to give tips or advice if asked. He intends to visit us again…it would be foolish to miss this opportunity to see him.”
Chris Dunkley of Leicester Saxophone group, review of guest appearance at The Crumblin’ Cookie, Leicester, May 23rd 2013
“An evening that positively bristled with high-octane, swinging jazz, executed with a fiery passion and proving that this is indeed the music he does best. An intersting mix of ballad/jazz standards was on the agenda, the music firmly rooted in the classic sound of British jazz in the 1950’s and 60’s. The opener Secret Love was taken at a breakneck pace and a lively rendition of In The Still Of The Night, which I am sure if Cole Porter had heard, he would have changed the title immediately – nothing still about it! – prompting Simon to say, ‘I don’t think we had many casualties.’ It wasn’t all fire and brimstone; Simon proved he could do the sensitive with a lovely interpretation of Yesterday I Heard the Rain. This was an evening of unpretentious swinging jazz – four excellent musicians enjoying themselves every bit as much as the audience. The finale just had to be Ray Noble’s Cherokee, the stunning tempo leaving both audience and players quite breathless.”
http://www.stratfordjazz.org.uk review of guest appearance.
NOMINATED AGAIN IN THE TENOR SAXOPHONE CATEGORY OF THE 2014 BRITISH JAZZ AWARDS
With quotes such as these, what else is there to add? Simon is joined by the Jazz Nights Trio and our resident songbird Larraine Odell. This has, as in the past, is set to become a great evening of Jazz – all for £10.00
Be there! Book a seat on 01787 237653 or email info@jazz-nights.com
THE BEST IN BRITISH MODERN JAZZ is at Jazznights, The Cock Inn, 3, Callis Street, Clare, Suffolk, CO10 8PX
Admission £10. Doors open 7.30pm. Music 8.00-10.30pm.
Reserve seating on 01787 237653 or email info@jazz-nights.com
Pay on the night.
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For further information on future gigs which will feature Juliet Kelly (vocals) and live BBC recording and Karen Sharp (saxes) go to www.jazz-nights.com
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