John Taylor :: Pianist

John Taylor was born in Manchester and first came to the attention of the jazz audience in 1969, when he partnered saxophonists Alan Skidmore and John Surman. He was later reunited with Surman in the short-lived group "Morning Glory" and more recently with Miroslav Vitous's quartet. In the early '70s he was accompanist to the singer Cleo Laine and starting to compose for his own sextet. John Taylor also worked with many visiting artists at Ronnie Scott's Club and later became a member of Ronnie's quintet.

In 1977 John formed the trio Azimuth, with Norma Winstone and Kenny Wheeler. The group was described by Richard Williams as "... one of the most imaginatively conceived and delicately balanced contemporary chamber-jazz group". The trio has made several recordings for ECM Records and has toured throughout Europe.

The 1980's saw John working with groups led by Jan Garbarek, Enrico Rava, Gil Evans, Lee Konitz and Charlie Mariano as well as duo contexts with Tony Coe and Steve Arguelles. John also continued his long association with Kenny Wheeler and John Surman. Recent projects have included a Contemporary Music Network Tour with his group "Foil", a larger scale composition for the Hanover Radio Orchestra with Stan Sulzmann, and commissions from Nottinghamshire County Council for the choir "Cantamus", and Zeffirelli for John Surman and John himself. John Taylor is currently a member of the Kenny Wheeler Quintet and Big Band with John Abercrombie, Palle Danielsson and Peter Erskine. Recently, John was commissioned to compose a suite for the NDR Radio Big Band in Hamburg. John has recorded with Peter Erskine and Palle Danielsson for ECM.

Neil Swainson :: Bassist

Neil Swainson was born in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on November 15, 1955. He gained his first professional experience in the Victoria area, working with local bands. He began working with Paul Horn in 1975, and played in his band for two years. As well, he backed up such musicians as Barney Kessell, Herb Ellis, and Sonny Stitt. Neil moved to Vancouver in 1976, and in 1977 to Toronto, which has become his home.

Since then he has been very active in the local jazz scene, playing with such artists as Moe Koffman, Ed Bickert, and Rob McConnell. He has also played with many visiting jazz artists, to name a few: James Moody, George Coleman, Jay McShann, Tommy Flanagan, Lee Konitz, Joe Farrell, Slide Hampton, and Woody Shaw. His playing with Woody Shaw extended beyond Canada; Neil worked numerous times in New York, and did several tours of Europe with Woody. Neil has also appeared on two Woody Shaw records: "Solid" (Muse 5329) and "In My Own Sweet Way" (In & Out 7003). In 1986 Neil began working with George Shearing from time to time, until 1988 when they began working together full time, a relationship that continues today. Since then he has traveled virtually worldwide, playing in Japan, Australia, Germany, Great Britain, and all across North America.

Neil has made numerous recordings with George Shearing, including: "Dexterity", "A Perfect Match" (with Ernestine Anderson) (on Concord Jazz label), "I Hear a Rhapsody", "Walkin'", "How Beautiful is Night", "That Shearing Sound", and "Paper Moon" (on Telarc). In 1989 Neil's own recording "49th Parallel" was released (Concord Jazz 4396), featuring Woody Shaw on trumpet, and Joe Henderson on saxophone. Neil continues to compose and record his original music with JMOG, a cooperative band, also featuring Don Thompson, Pat LaBarbera, and Joe LaBarbera. Several of Neil's compositions appear on recordings by other artists, including George Shearing. Neil has also worked with a number of other artists such as Jay McShann, Doc Cheatham, Geoff Keezer, Lorne Lofsky, and Kirk MacDonald.

Three recordings on which he plays have won Canada's Juno Award: Jon Ballantyne's "Skydance" (Justin Time 302), P.J. Perry's "My Ideal" (Unity 128), and "Free Trade", a cooperative band featuring Rene Rosnes (Justin Time 64-2). Neil continues to freelance extensively in the Toronto area. He is also a member of the Rob McConnell Trio, and the Kirk MacDonald - Lorne Lofsky Quartet.

Terry Clarke :: Drummer

Drummer Terry Clarke was born on August 20, 1944 in Vancouver, British Columbia. At around the age of twelve he began playing drums and for the next five years he studied with the noted drum teacher Jim Blackley.

In the mid 60's Terry moved to San Francisco to work with John Handy III. He performed with him for two and a half years during which time the award-winning recording Live at Monterey Jazz Fest (Columbia, 1966) was made. Following the John Handy experience, Terry began building his reputation for versatility by joining the world-famous pop vocal group, "The Fifth Dimension". At the time, they were at the height of their popularity and Terry traveled and performed extensively with them throughout the U.S.A., Canada and Europe.

Terry left "The Fifth Dimension" in 1970 and re-located to Toronto. For the next fifteen years he played an abundance of jazz in all styles, as well as being in demand in Toronto's considerable studio scene. Numerous television shows, jingles and recording dates were Terry's mainstay, as well as touring Japan and Europe with noted jazz guitarist Jim Hall and piano great Oscar Peterson.

Terry Clarke is well known as a founding member of the world acclaimed big band, "Rob McConnell's Boss Brass". For the next five years he recorded and toured with the band, helping to define its remarkable sound. In 1985, Terry made a bold move to New York to pursue an exclusively jazz career. During his stint there, he worked with The Toshiko Akioshi Jazz Orchestra, The Joe Roccisano Jazz Orchestra, Jim Hall, Jay Leonhart, Helen Merrill, Marvin Stamm, Bob Mintzer, and Mark Murphy (among others). Terry Clarke has recorded well over 200 albums with various jazz artists including Jim Hall, Oscar Peterson, Rob McConnell, Messengers Unlimited, Frank Rossolino, Toshiko Akioshi, Lew Tabackin, Freddie Hubbard, Jay McShann, Buddy Tate, Emily Remler, John Handy III, Ed Bickert, Helen Merrill, and Roger Kellaway.

Terry is a familiar face at jazz festivals in Europe, Canada, Japan and the U.S. After fifteen years of living and working in New York City, he recently re-located to Toronto with his wife Lesley, and their two young sons Kristopher and Kyle. In October of last year, Terry re-united with Rob McConnell to help form the "Rob McConnell Tentet", an exciting, newly formatted group comprised mainly of charter "Boss Brass" members, and fuelled by the brilliant writing of trombonist, composer and arranger, Rob McConnell. The Tentet recently received the prestigious JUNO Award (Canada's "Grammy") for the self-titled debut CD on the Justin Time label. A follow-up recording is scheduled for release next year.