Al Nicholls - The Exchange, Twickenham

Al Nicholls

Joes the Hat presents
Al Nicholls
Sandra Mae Luykx
Leon Greening
Dave Chamberlain
Sebastiaan de Krom

29th March 2019
The Exchange, Twickenham, UK

Leon Greening

Al Nicholls gained a sound musical education at Leeds College of Music (1983-6).  After leaving Leeds he cut his teeth in a succession of Jump Jive and Rhythm and Blues bands. In 1987 he joined Mike Sanchez’ Big Town Playboys, undoubtedly the best British R&B band of their generation. Al met Dick Laurie when he moved London (Putney) and played in various versions of Dick’s ‘Elastic Band'. In the 90s he became a major figure in the R&B/Jump Jive scene. 

Sebastiaan de Krom

After bringing some discipline and musicianship to the wonderful musical mayhem which was King Pleasure & the Biscuit Boys (1992/4), he fitted in superbly with the highly skilled masters of the JJ idiom, The Ray Gelato Giants (1994/6), becoming their principal arranger. In recent times Al continues to be a sought-after session musicians and freelance swing saxophonists, regularly invited to appear at prominent jazz venues, clubs and festivals, with such as Pete Long’s Echoes Of Ellington and many others. He’s also a regular member of T.J. Johnson’s band, Tony Pitt’s All Stars and, of course, Blue Harlem. 

Sandra-Mae Luykx

A talented singer and multi-instrumentalist, Sandra-Mae Luykx plays saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophone), guitar, piano, percussion and has performed around the world in places like London, Amsterdam, New York, Brazil and in some of Vancouver's most prestigious venues including The Orpheum Theatre. Now living in London (UK), Sandra-Mae was a regular on the Vancouver music scene. She has played almost every venue in Vancouver (including the Vancouver International Jazz Festival) with her own groups performing jazz, pop, soul, R&B, folk, disco, Motown, funk and Brazilian music. She was in the house band for Vancouver's Backstage Lounge for five years playing baritone saxophone in the Funk/Soul/Motown band The Phonix.

Dave Chamberlain