PERSONNEL : Meet the band

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Colin Hickman began studying saxophone and woodwind in his mid-teens under the tutelage of Bob Hathaway, ex Guildhall and principal clarinet with the Irish Guards. Later followed by Bernard Parris and Hal Hambleton, both professors at Trinity College of Music, London, where he eventually gained his diploma. He also studied at the Guildhall School of Music in 1993 with professor Victor Slaymark.

Colin began his playing career with dance bands on the Mecca circuit in 1965 playing at various venues in and around London. For 30 years Colin was part of the saxophone section of The Len Philips Big Band (now The Len Philips Swing Orchestra) playing around the country. Prior to joining LPBB he played for many different bands, and over the years he has accompanied such artists as: Kenny Baker, Elaine del Mar, Nicola Emmanuelle, Jeff Hooper, Matt Ford, Eleanor Keenan, Stephen Triffitt, Lee Gibson, Earlene Bentley to name but a few.

He has played at the London Palladium, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Victoria Palace, the Barbican and Wimbledon Theatres, backing cabaret artists such as Jim Davidson, Bobby Davro, Ruby Murray, Lita Rosa, Dennis Lotis, and many others. Colin has appeared on numerous occasions at Ronnie Scott’s and The Spice of Life Jazz Venues.

In the 1960’s he studied arranging with Stan Sayers (who was one of Geraldo’s leading staff arrangers in the bands heyday) which was a firm foundation to writing for large and small bands, orchestral ensembles, jazz bands and singers. He released a CD, “Swing Street”, featuring him on clarinet which was recorded at the BBC Studios Maida Vale, with a Benny Goodman style quintet.

In 2012 the inception of The Blue Room 7 culminated in getting together some of the finest musicians to play and enhance the musical arrangements of jazz standards and the American songbook, playing to lovers of jazz and swing in styles ranging from Bebop to West Coast genres.

  Martin Shaw is regarded as one of the top jazz soloists in the country; you will hear him in an extraordinary range of settings from big band to quartet, cutting edge jazz to contemporary pop and funk. He began playing trumpet aged 11 and within a few years was working with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain as well as gigging informally around the Midlands with his jazz pianist father. 

Martin studied at the Royal Academy and the Guildhall School of Music and went on to hone his skills at Berkley College of Music in Boston. In a busy performing career he has played in a wide variety of settings both live and recorded. Playing live with a long list of artists including Brand New Heavies, Natalie Cole, Jools Holland, Jamiroquai and Jamie Cullum. He has also performed on recordings with Marc Almond, Billy Ocean and Gabrielle and many others. 

A regular in many bigger band settings including Stan Tracey, John Dankworth, Michael Garrick, The Bert Kaempfert Orchestra and the BBC Big Band. He has worked with most of the leading jazz artists of the last 30 years including Cleo Laine and Peter King.

In between his performing engagements, Martin teaches at The Royal College and is Professor of Jazz Trumpet at Birmingham Conservatoire and the London School of Music.

It’s a privilege to have Martin working with BR7, especially as he regards it as always a pleasure to be a part of such a friendly band.

  Michael was born in Canada. He took up the saxophone aged 11. By the time he was 16, Michael joined the Hamilton All Star Jazz Band. Michael went on to study jazz at Mohawk College under the direction of Toronto saxophonist Don Englert, and composer and arranger Dave McMurdo (of Boss Brass fame).

Graduating with top honours Michael stepped straight out of college and on to a cruise ship for his first 6-month tour. This European based cruise liner opened Michael’s eyes to different opportunities, which culminated in his move to London, England in May 1992.

Michael has appeared in dozens of venues including The Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Barbican Centre, Ronnie Scott’s club, Dean St. Pizza Express, Jazz Café, The Vortex and 606 club to name a few.

He has toured and recorded with composer and arranger Michel Legrand and vocalist Alison Moyet. In May 2015, Michael led the saxophone section of a world class big band featuring the renowned drummer Steve Gadd. He has also appeared with American artists Curtis Stigers, Buddy Greco, Howard Keel, Johnny Mathis and Michael Feinstein.

During his career in England, Michael has collected BBC’s Jazz Soloist of the Year award, and has recorded as a featured soloist with the BBC Radio Big Band. In that same year Michael released his debut CD “This Is” featuring his original compositions. 

In addition to his jazz credentials, Michael has appeared in several musicals, live television broadcasts, and session recordings. He has toured France, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Spain and Sweden.

Michael enjoys playing with The Blue Room 7, the charts always offer enjoyment and an excellent platform to solo. 

  David is top saxophonist and woodwind player with many years’ experience. He received a scholarship to study jazz performance and composition at the prestigious Berklee College in Boston America. Studying under the tenor greats, Joe Lovano and George Garzone, he was awarded the Wayne Shorter prize in tenor saxophone performance. 

He is renowned for his warm resonant tone, relaxed style and carefully crafted solos. He is also a gifted clarinettist and flautist

David can be heard playing in bands all over the country such as The Len Philips Swing Orchestra, Nick Ros Orchestra and the New Squadronairres. He has accompanied artists including: Nicola Emmanuelle, Jeff Hooper, Matt Ford, Eleanor Keenan, Stephen Triffitt, Claire Martin and many others.

David has recorded three albums at Abbey Road studios and has been featured on Sky Arts, BBC and MTV. David has released two albums under his own name, including recordings alongside Alan Barnes, John Pearce and the late Martin Drew.

David is also a highly experienced music educator and he runs a week-long jazz course at Higham Hall in the Lake District. The course culminates in an end of week concert, where he performs alongside jazz luminaries such as saxophonist, Alan Barnes and trumpeter Martin Shaw.

David met Colin Hickman when they sat side by side in The Len Philips Swing Orchestra for many years and they became close friends. He is delighted to play and be a part of The Blue Room 7. 

     Intelligent, sensitive, lyrical and thoughtful, John Pearce is one of Britain’s most respected and versatile musicians. John had classical piano lessons from the age of eight until fifteen, and became interested in jazz as a twelve-year old. He played his first gigs locally in Essex, before turning professional in 1968, working in Geraldo's Navy aboard the Carmania, and then joined the QE2 for her maiden voyage to New York in   1969. He had a long association with the liner, and during the time   accompanied an array of cabaret artistes.

From 1975 to 1985 he was a member of Ray Ellington's Quartet working at leading London venues for residencies, as well as two world cruises and radio and TV work. During the same period he became a regular session player, working with the BBC Radio Orchestra, Jack Parnell's Orchestra, Robert Farnon, Billy May, as well as touring with the James Last Orchestra.

His jazz work has taken him all over the world, including a tour of the Blue Note Jazz Clubs in Japan. He has accompanied many singers, including Anita O'Day, Selina Jones, Peggy Lee, Elaine Delmar and Annie Ross, Mark Murphy and a multitude of instrumentalists: Dick Morrisey, Art Farmer, Woody Shaw, Kenny Davern, Warren Vache, Eddie Daniels,   Ken Peplowski, Tommy Whittle and Ronnie Scott.

He has been a member of Scott Hamilton's Quartet since 2000, and has performed with Scott throughout Europe.

In the last 10 years we have been fortunate to have had John in the piano chair of The Blue Room 7.

Paul attended Leeds College of Music, on a Jazz course in 1976. From 1979 - 1982 Paul was a member of  the NYJO. He became Principal Bass with the BBC Radio Orchestra. He has worked and continues to work with all types of groups and big bands. He joined the Don Lusher Big Band in 1986 and stayed with the band up to Don’s demise in 2006.

He grew up accompanying many visiting American and other international artists at Ronnie Scott’s Club, the Concorde Club in Eastleigh, Southampton and many clubs and concert halls around the world.  Paul has played bass for musicians such as Zoot Sims, Peggy Lee, Ronnie Scott and many other artists.

He has a phenomenal technique, intonation and sight-reading ability, together with being equally adept whether playing pizzicato or arco on the double bass. Many of the illustrious artists Paul has played with are not just from the jazz world. One of his main influences is Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen from Denmark, who shares the same kind of musical attributes as Paul does. Some recommendation indeed!

Paul is now mainly active playing ‘straight’ orchestral double bass in film and TV studios, as well as jazz gigs at Ronnie Scott’s Club, the various Pizza Express establishments, the Bull’s Head, Barnes and other venues. Up until Martin Drew’s untimely death Paul played with the New Jazz Couriers. 

He still plays with  other small units and for the last eight years has been a member of The Blue Room 7, providing a solid yet flexible and inventive contribution to the rhythm section.

Bobby was born in Bermondsey 1949. Bobby began his career with NYJO and soon established himself as a professional musician at the age of 16. Over the last 56 years Bobby has always been in demand with a wide range of work including West End Shows, TV, Radio and Recordings.  In 1968 he joined Frankie Vaughan touring around Britain, Australia, Canada, Europe and New York (where he met Pa Pa Jo Jones, Mel Lewis and nonother than Miles Davis!).

In 1971 he became the house drummer at the London’s Talk of the Town with the Burt Rhodes Orchestra working with such artists as Billy Eckstine, Mel Torme, Iris Williams , Buddy Greco (who became a close friend and toured with him when coming to Britain). When Pearl Bailey appeared at the Talk of the Town, there was an occasion when  her husband, Louie Bellson, was called back to the states. Bobby was asked to take over the drum chair.  At the end of her engagement Pearl presented Bobby with a gold bracelet inscribed “Thank you, love Pearl and Louie”.

In 1989 he recorded two trio albums with Brian Dee, “Homing In” and “Second Sight” which were very successful.  This led to Bobby being presented with an award at the “BT British Jazz Awards”.

Bobby is still busy working and recording with many top British, American and European Jazz Artists, appearing at Festivals, Jazz Clubs and on Jazz Cruises. In 2009, Bobby accompanied Barbara Streisand at the BBC on the Jonathan Ross Show (to which it must be said that the lady was very impressed with his playing).

He still keeps busy working and recording with artists such as, Alan Barnes, Bruce Adams, Enrico Tomasso, Dave Williams, and Elaine Delmar plus many other artists. He also enjoys his playing with the guys in The Blue Room 7.

  Enrico Tomasso started playing trumpet at the age of 5 after listening to Louis Armstrong play ‘Basin Street Blues’. His father, Ernie Tomasso a well known and very respected clarinet player with the superb Harry Gold Pieces of Eight, not only supported Enrico in his quest to play trumpet, but took him to meet an array of top American jazz players when they visited our shores. The most influential idol was Louis Armstrong, and at the age of seven, Rico not only met the great man, but played to him when he landed here in 1968. 

Mr Armstrong was very impressed with this budding virtuoso, and from this first meeting they formed a friendship that lasted up until Louis’ death in 1971.

Enrico went on to study at the Leeds College of Music, after which he graced many a stage with bands such as the Pasadena Roof Orchestra (spending 12 years in the personnel), Ray Gelato, as well as playing along side visiting American players. Among those he has played with are Scott Hamilton, Ken Peplowski and Bucky Pizzarelli, as well as our own jazz stars like John Dankworth and Tommy Whittle. He is without doubt considered one of the top jazz trumpeters around, and the Blue Room 7 considers it a privilege to have had Enrico grace the trumpet chair on many occasions.