Jim Mullen Organ Trio

22 May 2006

JIM MULLEN is a truly original voice in contemporary jazz guitar. Born in Glasgow in 1945, he began his musical life aged 8 playing tea-chest bass in the neighbourhood skiffle group. He got his first guitar the same year and when an older friend introduced him to jazz, he was hooked. After leaving school he trained as a journalist while playing on the local music scene. He formed a group with Malcolm Duncan and Roger Ball (later of the Average White Band) and they worked throughout Scotland playing Coltrane tunes and originals. It was in this group that he started attracting attention and in 1969 he moved to London, going on to work in the groups of Pete Brown (2 albums) Brian Auger (3 albums) Vinegar Joe (1 Album) and Kokomo (1 album). In 1975 he met sax player Dick Morrissey and began a 15 year association. After the demise of Morrissey Mullen he worked with jazz vocalist Claire Martin (3 albums) and formed a series of quartets (3 albums). As sideman he is in demand by visiting U.S. stars like Gene Harris, Mose Allison, Jimmy Smith, Weldon Irvine, Percy Sledge, Teddy Edwards, Plas Johnson, Jimmy Witherspoon and Terry Collier. He is twice winner of 'Best Guitar' in the British Telecom jazz awards and 'Best Guitar' in the British Jazz Awards for 2000.

MIKE GORMAN was born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. After studying in Manchester, he moved to London in 1995. Since then he has established himself as one of the UK's leading jazz pianists and organists, having toured and recorded with a diverse range of artists including Us3, Incognito, Gwen McCrae, Marlena Shaw, Hamish Stuart, Tom Robinson, Jimmy Witherspoon, Georgie Fame, Alison Crockett and N'Dambi, amongst others. He has also been featured with the majority of the UK's leading jazz artists, including Don Weller, Bobby Wellins, Alan Skidmore, Dave O'Higgins, Pete King, Alan Barnes, Dave Cliff, Stacey Kent, Guy Barker and Danny Moss as well as US players such as Charles McPherson, Bill Watrous, Ken Peplowski, Lanny Morgan and David Binney. His first album as a leader "The Maze" was released in 2002 on 33 records. Mike released his debut album "The Maze" on the label 33 Records in March 2002. The Album recieved much critical acclaim and was named Jazz CD of the Month in the Nov '02 BBC Music Magazine.

MATT SKELTON graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in 1994. Since then his career has encompassed a diverse range of music. He has accompanied Harry Sweets Edison, Scott Hamilton, Conte Candoli, Nick Brignola, Harry Allen, Warren Vache, Michael Moore and both Bucky and John Pizzarelli. He has also played with Dave O'Higgins, Alan Barnes and Don Weller, and regularly appears with the Halle, The BBC Concert Orchestra and the The Britten Symphonia accompanying soloists such as Maria Ewing, Claire Martin, and Sir Richard Rodney Bennet. He is currently the drummer for Stacey Kent Band, and The John Wilson Orchestra with whom he recently recorded the soundtrack for the major motion picture "Beyond The Sea", starring Kevin Spacey.