Saxophonist Craig Crofton is originally from the USA, where he studied with Blue Note artist Marcus Printup. He's got a great big tenor sound, and really blows the proverbial out of it. A fixture on Bristol's scene for many years, Craig's main band CCQ is one of the city's most exciting live acts, mixing hip-hop, drum & bass and breakbeat. Whatever that is. We put this line-up together just to have some fun burning out on some standards. Craig Crofton - sax, Jim Blomfield - piano, Greg Cordez - bass & Andy Hague - drums. See www.blowoutsax.co.uk

Those of you with long memories may remember a series of gigs under the name Double Trouble about ten years ago, in which we featured two soloists who play the same instrument. They were great fun, so we're doing it again. First up we have a fabulous pairing of guitarists, the superb Jerry Crozier-Cole [pictured] and Code Red's fretmeister Andy Christie. There are many fine examples of guitarists getting together, with John Scofield, Mike Stern, Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell's various collaborations springing to mind. Jerry & Andy are joined by Tommy Barlow on alto sax, a great player who has worked with Jools Holland and Aztec Camera, Richie Blake - bass & Danny Cox - drums, who both play with the Coronation Tap's favourite funk band Saffron Monkey.

Pianist Mike Willox has broad musical tastes and includes elements of rock, funk & electronica in his various projects, but for tonight's show he's returning to a more acoustic sound and revisiting the standards repertoire for at least part of the programme. He's joined by the always excellent Jake McMurchie on tenor sax, and the top rhythm team of Will Harris - double bass & Scott Hammond - drums.

ASQ was brought together by tenor sax player Arabella Sprot, who is currently studying for an undergraduate degree in German at Bristol. With aspirations to study jazz later at postgraduate level, Arabella explores all fields of music, is an energetic performer and a creative composer. Inspiration is taken from Michael Brecker's Quindectet, Joe Lovano's new recordings and contemporary artists such as Mark Lockheart. Joined by Mark Lawrence - guitars, Dave Thorogood - bass and Michael Davis - drums. Have a listen to this exciting new band here http://asqmusic.bandcamp.com

Following on from our two guitars gig we now have twin trumpets/flugels in the hands of Andrew Colman & Andy Hague. Andrew Colman is a graduate of Leeds College of Music, who won the Young Jazz Musician of the Year competition back in 1999. He has a wonderful soft toned approach and immaculate phrasing, influenced by Chet Baker, Tom Harrell & Woody Shaw. Andy Hague favours a brassier style and is a big fan of Freddie Hubbard & Woody Shaw. In the rhythm section we have the superb Ruth Hammond - piano & Scott Hammond - drums, both of whom were at Leeds with Andrew C, and Will Harris - bass. The two trumpeters will each be bringing along a few tunes by or associated with some of the trumpet greats.
See myspace.com/andrewcolmanmusic and myspace.com/andyhaguequintet

Kevin is well known on Bristol's jazz scene, and works in diverse settings such as Brazilian band Sirius B, Keith Tippett's Big Band and the Welsh Jazz Composers' Orchestra with pianist Huw Warren. His own writing is strongly melodic, but reflects the rhythmic intricacies of main influences Dave Holland & Chris Potter. Besides writing for his quartet Kevin also composes for Bristol's all-star big band Resonation. Kevin Figes - alto sax/flute, Jim Blomfield - piano, Will Harris - bass & Mark Whitlam - drums. See www.kevinfiges.co.uk

Dale has been playing the piano since he was 7, and studied classical music at Trinity College. While he was there he got into jazz and now plays professionally as a jazz/funk/soul/latin/electronica/DnB keyboardist. Although Dale has obviously listened to all the piano greats, possibly the strongest influence on the trio's sound is that of Robert Glasper, who is well worth checking out if you haven't heard him. Dale Hambridge - piano, Roshan Tosh Wijetunge - bass & Mark Whitlam - drums. See www.myspace.com/dalehambridge

Trumpeter Nick Malcolm completed a post-grad at Trinity College a while back, and now divides his time between Bristol & London. An adventurous and fluent improviser, he must be one of the busiest players in Bristol at the moment looking at his gig list. Tonight Nick examines the repertoire of Wynton Marsalis, playing some of the tunes from Wynton's seminal albums Black Codes & Live at Blues Alley. Nick Malcolm - trumpet, Jake McMurchie - tenor sax, Dale Hambridge - piano, Will Harris - bass & drummer in residence Mark Whitlam. See www.myspace.com/nicholasmalcolm

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