Fraser Smith w. Special Guest: Chuck Israels
The stars are truly aligned as the swinging UK tenor sax player Fraser Smith is joined by the legend that is bassist Chuck Israels (Bill Evans, Stan Getz, Benny Goodman and the list goes on), Finnish guitarist now based in Paris Jonas Metsakyla – who knew Israels through Finland’s Sibelius Academy – and the go-to UK modern and mainstream jazz drummer Steve Brown for this once in a lifetime London show.
Describing himself as ‘a practical scholar’, from an early age Birmingham-born saxophonist Fraser Smith was drawn to the music of the golden age of jazz associated with Kansas City in the 30’s to New York in the 60’s. With a focus on swing and the straight ahead he channels the sound and language of the “big US Tenor men” and for going on two decades now he has built a significant reputation on the UK scene, including work alongside the likes of US artists Harry Allen, Pat O’Leary (Lionel Hampton) and Chuck Redd (Barney Kessel). His latest album “Lifeline!” was recently added to The Times and Jazzwise 'Best Jazz Albums of 2025' lists, receiving a glowing 4 star review from each while his previous record “Tiptop!” received coverage from the Guardian, Jazzwise and Hi-fi magazine and amassed 1.3 million streams. Chuck Israels is a composer/arranger/bassist who is perhaps best known as a member of the Bill Evans Trio from 1961 through 1966. However in addition, he's also worked with iconic musicians such as Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock, J.J. Johnson, John Coltrane and many more, and has been recognised for his pioneering accomplishments in Jazz Repertory as Director of the National Jazz Ensemble from 1973 to 1981. Recently retired from directing the jazz studies program at Western Washington University, the word "legend" could not be more apropos - we are truly honoured to host this exciting quartet at the Club!
“…it's Israels who constantly catches the ear…still making…jazz…which features…sonorous, singing solo[s] from the bass doyen. Timeless.” Jazzwise; "Smith...Nonchalantly confident and very hard swinging" London Jazz News