Over the years trumpeter Andy Hague has gradually amassed a collection of arrangements for sextet, and so is delighted to expand his regular quintet with the addition of special guest Alan Barnes on alto sax. Alan is an incredibly versatile musician who can fit in to any musical situation, and has gained the respect of players in every style of jazz. He first attracted notice playing with hard-bop drummer Tommy Chase, worked with Humphrey Lyttleton's band, led the Pizza Express Modern Jazz Allstars, toured with Bryan Ferry and won the BBC Jazz Awards Best Instrumentalist in 2001 & 2006. The repertoire is a mixture of standards and Blue Note classics by Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard etc, with the three horn front-line evoking the spirit of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Alan Barnes - alto sax, Andy Hague - trumpet, Ben Waghorn - tenor sax, Jim Blomfield - piano, Thad Kelly - bass & Scott Hammond - drums. See www.alanbarnesjazz.com

It's probably fair to say that guitarist James Chadwick's main influence is Bill Frisell, but you can tell he's listened to many other players as well. He makes standard tunes sound very fresh by leaving lots of space and creating unexpected textures. James is joined by trumpeter Ben Thomas, an excellent player based in Hereford, Erika Lyons on bass and Andy Hague - drums. James has a new CD out called Wacahume, featuring Andy Hamill, Martin France & Lee Goodall.
See www.myspace.com/jamesundercurrent3 and www.myspace.com/mtheart

Flautist Eddie Parker has been central to some of the most important British jazz in recent years. He was a founder member of and important composer for the legendary Loose Tubes big band, and went on to record with South African pianist Bheki Mseleku alongside US drummer Marvin Smitty Smith. He also played with Django Bates' Delightful Precipice, and toured with his own group Mr. Vertigo. He's joined by the fantastic piano playing of Jonathan Taylor, Thad Kelly - bass & Andy Hague - drums. See www.eddieparker.co.uk

Denny Ilett is a monster guitarist who can play any style of jazz and lots more. You may have heard him funking it up locally with James Morton's Porkchop, and he's also been touring nationally recently with New Orleans vocalist Lillian Boutte. Denny's teamed up with pianist Dave Newton for this great new band. Originally from Scotland but now living near Bath, Dave was voted best pianist in the 2009 British Jazz Awards for the ninth time. Imagine the tedium. He's been doing quite a few gigs at the Cabot Circus Hotel, so we're delighted to lure him over to Hotwells. They're joined by A-list bassist Andy Crowdy and Goldfrapp's new drummer Daisy Palmer.
See www.myspace.com/dennyilettgroup and www.davidnewton.net

For the club's season finale trumpeter Andy Hague has been frenziedly writing charts for this new 8 piece salsa band. Joining Andy on trumpet is Jonny Bruce, a great lead and jazz player who plays alongside Ben Waghorn in the Dave Stapleton Quintet, Ben is on tenor sax, Nick Attwood from Fatman Swings - trombone, Jim Blomfield - piano, Thad Kelly - bass, Lisa Cherian - congas & Andy Tween - drums. The music includes transcriptions from Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente, Afro-Cuban All Stars and a few originals. See www.jonnybruce.com