Line-up:
Jay Phelps – Trumpet; Dan Lockheart - sax; Andy Bunting- piano; Jim Bashford - drums; James Owston – bass
Canadian born Phelps has had a career spanning over 20 years and his charismatic energy has lead him to radio presenting for Jazz FM and Worldwide FM, as well as creating the Youtube documentary series Ear to the Ground. Jay has also created SoulEndvr, his own music casting agency for TV, Film and advertising (featured on Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO and BBC).
His original music has always combined jazz with more contemporary developments such as soul and hip hop. But alongside playing his own compositions with the Jay runs another project that concentrates on playing the music of “Kind of Blue” era Miles Davis.
Review by Ian Mann ; The Jazzman, Oct 2024
“The second ticketed event at the 2024 Wall2Wall Jazz Festival was this sold out performance by trumpeter Jay Phelps and his quintet as they paid homage to the musical genius that was Miles Davis, with a particular emphasis on the music of Davis’ best known work the 1959 album “Kind of Blue”.
“Kind of Blue” remains the biggest selling, and arguably the most influential, jazz album of all time.
Presented by Phelps with wit, warmth and insight this was an excellent performance that delighted the audience and no doubt the organisers too. This time round Phelps and his colleagues really did catch fire and on its own terms this gig was a total success.
Leicester Jazz House supports and promotes the principles of ACE and others regarding the importance of equality, diversity and inclusivity. This includes the acknowledgement that there is much more work to be done to make our society and culture free of prejudice and discrimination in the arts.
Leicester Jazz House CIC is a volunteer-run not-for-profit organisation bringing contemporary jazz of the highest quality to Leicestershire audiences through the programme of events mainly at the Musician Venue, Attenborough Arts Centre and Y Theatre; and also promoting jazz in other ways, including through education.
