Tonight’s Musicians:

Theo Travis
Theo Travis plays saxophone, flute and duduk and is a prolific composer and music producer. He was born in Birmingham but moved to London where he soon established himself as one of the finest tenor sax players on the British jazz scene. He has led his own jazz quartet for 30 years, recorded 12 albums as leader having composed, arranged and produced the material and performed all over the UK as well as at Ronnie Scott's Club in London over 80 times.
He is increasingly known as one of the top saxophone and flute players in the world in Progressive music and has appeared as featured soloist on over 230 albums. With guitarist Robert Fripp he formed Travis & Fripp in 2007 and the duo have toured internationally and recorded 5 albums which Travis co-wrote and produced. Theo is a member of the legendary band Soft Machine, taking over from the late Elton Dean, and he has co-written and co-produced their last three albums as well as toured America, Canada, Europe, Japan and Brazil.
Travis has performed and recorded extensively with Steven Wilson as featured soloist, and they have worked on 25 albums together. Travis also was a member of Gong from 1999 to 2009 and in 2015 he joined David Gilmour's band for the 'Rattle that Lock' tour. Travis has also performed and recorded with David Sylvian, Bill Nelson, The Tangent, Roger Eno, Keith Tippett, Harold Budd, John Foxx, Steve Hillage, John Etheridge and Mick Karn.
In 2014 he wrote his first book 'Twice around the world', a diary of blogs from the Steven Wilson world tours of 2012/13 and he has appeared as a walk on artist in film and TV such as 'Notting Hill', the Bond movie 'Die Another Day' and 'Foyle's War'. He lives in London with his wife, son, dog and 20 saxes and flutes.
See www.theotravis.com

Chris Eldred

Chris began his musical life playing piano, clarinet and singing until specialising in jazz piano at Trinity College of Music graduating with first class honours in 2011. He was one of six winners of the 2011 Yamaha Scholarship Award for Outstanding Jazz Musicians. During these years he also held the piano chair with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, cutting his teeth as a pro musician.
Chris has since performed and recorded with big bands such as the Louis Dowdeswell Big Band and Syd Lawrence Orchestra. He has worked in small groups on the London scene, frequenting Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Dean St and the 606, and has appeared twice at the BBC Proms (in 2012 and 2024.) He is a member of UK touring band Hejira (celebrating the music of Joni Mitchell.) Chris has shared the stage with UK artists including Tunde of the Lighthouse family and Joseph Lawrence (notably supporting Rag and Bone man.)
Chris has recorded on albums by Noemi Nuti, Callum Au, Louis Dowdeswell, Joseph Lawrence amongst many others. His musical life has also included leading his own Jazz trio at Ronnie Scott’s and elsewhere, and singing with the London Vocal Project since 2015.

Mike Outram
Mike Outram is one of the UK’s foremost guitarists who is sought after as an improviser and his ability to contribute his unique voice to any musical ensemble. He has toured internationally and appeared on over a hundred CD’s for various artists.
He has worked with international artists such as Tim Garland, Donny McCaslin, Till Brönner, Carleen Anderson, Theo Travis, Jeff Williams, Julian Siegel, Steven Wilson, Tony Remy, Herbie Mann, Tim Ries, Nikki Iles, Gerard Presencer, and Laura Rossi and he works regularly with many UK based ensembles including Martin Speake Group, Asaf Sirkis, Dave Higgins, Tim Whitehead, Tony Woods Project and Jacqui Dankworth.
He also teaches the guitar at The Royal Academy, Trinity Laban & The Guildhall, London; and leads an online community of over 700 guitarists who study jazz guitar & improvisation.

Dave Jones
While Dave is the also organising force behind Grand Union Jazz his bass playing in recent years has included Hejira - a Tribute to Joni Mitchell, Ronnie Scott’s Soul and Jazz Orchestra, Pete Cater Big Band, Way Out West Jazz Collective, Stefanos Tsourelis Trio, Tom Seals, Brandon Allen Groove Band, Jeremy Sassoon and Julian Costello. He has played with some of the finest jazz musicians in the UK such as Pete Long, Jacqui Dankworth, Frank Griffith and John Etheridge and also with visiting American artists such as Howard Levy. He has played alongside drummers Steve Gadd, Steve Smith and Keith Carlock and he is active in jazz education teaching regularly at Richmond Jazz School, International Summer Schools and Kingston University.
Dave also leads a classic nonet line up featuring some of the UK’s finest jazz musicians including Henry Lowther, Mark Armstrong, Nick Mills, Tony Woods, Tom Ridout, Chris Biscoe, John Turville, Tristan Mailliot plus various special guests including Brigitte Beraha, Demi Garcia Sabat on percussion and Mike Outram on guitar.
Playing and exploring the Nonet arrangements of great American writers such as Bob Hammer, Marty Paich and Frank Griffith provided the inspiration for the band while the experience of playing with Pete Cater Big Band, Ronnie Scott’s Soul and Jazz Orchestra, BBC Big Band and in formative days ‘Eurojazz' the European Community Youth Jazz Orchestra provided a unique perspective on writing for this the classic Nonet line up.

Dave’s writing is sophisticated and nuanced. Just when you think you know where he’s going, there is a change of texture or tempo, you do find yourself in an unexpected place and …. it’s beautiful!! … “ London Jazz News’.

Rick Finlay
A full-time professional drummer, percussionist and teacher since 1983, Rick’s performance credits include Hejira: celebrating Joni Mitchell, Just East, Liane Carroll, Si Cranstoun, Des O'Connor, Jacqui Dankworth, Sinéad O’Connor and Mari Wilson.
He secured his first West End show chair at the age of 24, and his subsequent career as West End theatre drummer included a 22-year run at Blood Brothers as well as Little Shop of Horrors, Chess, Time, and has seen him accompanying stars like Mel C, Natasha Hamilton, Marti Pellow, Cliff Richard, Stephanie Lawrence, David Cassidy and David Soul. His love of jazz has led to performances with many of the finest UK and USA Jazz soloists including Ralph Moore, Jon Gordon, Neil Angilley, Ian Shaw, Derek Nash, John Paricelli, Gilad Atzmon, Tina May, Dave O’Higgins, Rob Luft, Ed Jones, the Toots Project, John Etheridge, Jim Mullen, Julian Stringle, Jonathan Gee, Roger Beaujolais and many others. TV includes: Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, Parkinson, The Jethro Junction, The Late Show.
An innovative and enthusiastic teacher, Rick has directed workshops in Jazz and Latin-American percussion, as well as the business of music. He has taught at many institutions including Trinity College of Music, Middlesex University, Mill Hill School, Belmont School and QE Boys Barnet. Hundreds of pupils have studied privately with Rick and many of them are now professional performers and teachers.
Rick writes for, plays in and manages jazz/world quartet Just East of Jazz. Lately he’s been touring extensively with Hejira: celebrating Joni Mitchell. Along with long- term associate saxophonist Jeremy Shoham he has been promoting regular jazz events in north London for 20 years – currently at the renowned Jazz At The Elephant.
Rick is a proud and committed Trade Unionist and has been an active member of the Musicians’ Union for many years. He is currently a member of the MU Executive Committee.