Peter King Memorial Sax Summit: Mornington Lockett, Tommaso Starace, Karen Sharp, Donovan Haffner & the Rob Barron Trio
Intro by Steve Rubie: One of the finest saxophonists the UK has ever produced Peter King was unquestionably a genius (an overused word but in his case absolutely appropriate). An inspiration to 4 generations of saxophonists (including me!) every gig was an event. It’s an honour to keep his memory alive with this annual LJF gig.
Tonight we will be hosting an evening dedicated to one of the UK's musical giants, the brilliant alto sax player Peter King, who led our Sax Summit for many years before he sadly passed away in 2020. This remarkable gig features a breathtaking 4-sax front line, each with their own unique sound and approach.
A regular at the Club Mornington Lockett, who performed here with Peter for many years, is one of the UK’s leading tenor sax players. A former member of the Ronnie Scott quintet he has worked with singer Sarah Jane Morris and the Tracey’s - Stan and Clark - and was the driving force behind the brilliant “Celebrating the Jazz Couriers” quintet. He can be seen regularly at the Club with his own group.
Alto saxophonist Tommaso Starace has performed at many of the top European jazz clubs and festivals and his fluent, hard-bop influenced playing has been heard with a notable cohort of international jazz musicians, including Billy Cobham, David Liebman and Kenny Wheeler. With 11 albums to his name (the latest just launched at the Club) it’s a pleasure to welcome this impressive, highly respected, player to the Sax Summit this evening.
A prominent figure on the UK Jazz scene since moving to London in 2000, the multi-Award-winning Karen Sharp is universally admired for her melodic yet distinctive, saxophone playing. A member of the iconic UK trumpet player Humphrey Lyttelton's band, she’s since appeared as a soloist with an impressive array of high-profile artists, including the likes of US stars Scott Hamilton, Warren Vache and Bucky Pizzarelli as well as with larger ensembles such as the Guy Barker Big Band at the BBC Proms and Ronnie Scott's Jazz Orchestra. A nominee in the Rising Star category of the US Downbeat Critics Poll, she has won the British Jazz Award on several occasions.
Up-and-coming alto saxophonist Donovan Haffner already has, in his burgeoning career, won the 'Breakthrough Act of the Year' category at the Jazz FM Awards 2026, the 'Martin Hummel' Parliamentary Jazz Award 2026 & ‘Jazz Newcomer’ Award 2025 and Tina May Young Musician Award 2026. His debut album “Alleviate” has further confirmed his tremendous ability and talent. This stunning lineup will be accompanied by one of the UK’s leading jazz pianists Rob Barron (Al Jarreau, Patti Austin, Marlena Shaw) & his trio featuring Calum Gourlay-bass & Mark Taylor-drums.
“Lockett…plays with tremendous fluency and drive” Evening Standard; “Starace is on fire” Bebop Spoken Here; “Sharp loves melody, whether composed or improvised, as reflected in her relaxed and natural phrasing” Downbeat; “'Alleviate’ is an absolutely awesome debut… [Donovan] has blossomed into a really special musician” Tony Minvielle, Jazz FM/One Jazz
Photo, Mornington Lockett by Tatiana Gorilovsky