Quartet playtimeless BlueNote sounds

Though the music has it’s roots in earlier decades, with giants like Coltrane making an indelible foot-print, it still has as much to say now as tenor sax-man Simon Spillett and his quartet will demonstrate at this year’s Rye Jazz Festival.

“The music is timeless,” says Simon, “but that does not mean it is stuck in time.

“It still has relevance and a lot to say today. It still has the same energy and dynamics.

“This music will never go away - it would be like saying Mozart is out-dated.

Simon’s album ‘Square One’ was voted among the Best New Jazz Releases of 2013 in the Jazz Journal Critic’s Poll and he enjoys growing status on the UK jazz scene.

He is keen to point out the rich legacy of UK jazz musicians and cites English multi-instrumentalist Tubby Hayes as a prime influence.

Simon’s quartet includes drummer Trevor Tomkins, who has played with Sonny Rollins and Blossom Dearie, and pianist John Crithinson, who was a member of Ronnie Scott’s band for 18 years. The line-up is completed by bassist Alec Dankworth.

They play at the Festival, at the Jazz Lounge venue, on Sunday August 24 at 7.30pm.

For more information on Rye International Jazz Festival and to book tickets, go to www.ryejazz.com.