Simon Spillett Quartet

Harry South might just be the last unsung hero of the Golden Age of British Modern Jazz. Although well-known for his collaborations with singer Georgie Fame (the iconic album Sound Venture) and as the composer of the theme music for the hit 1970s TV show The Sweeney, South's roots were in the classic sounds of 1950s and 60s Hard Bop.

After serving as a sideman in bands led by Tubby Hayes, Joe Harriott and Ronnie Ross, during the mid-1960s he struck out on his own, leading a star-packed big band - featuring everyone from Ronnie Scott to Kenny Wheeler - a setting confirming his world-class talents as a composer and arranger.

To celebrate the launch of a major new 4CD retrospective of Harry’s music, tenor saxophonist Simon Spillett has put together a quartet to play music written by and/or associated with South, with particular emphasis on the repertoire of the mid-sixties edition of the Dick Morrissey Quartet, of which Harry was the musical director.

As well as South's own compositions, the band will feature themes from the pen of some of his close colleagues, such as Tubby Hayes, Ian Hamer and Stan Tracey. Joining Simon for the celebration of classic British jazz will be John Horler piano, Trevor Tomkins drums - both of whom knew and worked with Harry South - and US bass ace Tim Wells.