Tobie Medland Gypsy Jazz Quartet

Performing music from their upcoming album, violinist Tobie Medland brings his quartet to perform the innovative, modern style of Gypsy Jazz that has brought him international acclaim.

Director of London’s Gypsy Jazz Festival and musical collaborator with many of the world’s most famous musicians specialising in Gypsy Jazz and the music pioneered by Django Reinhardt, Tobie is a busy member of the international scene. He is also active on the classical and wider jazz scenes and is currently touring ‘Quanta’ (a Piano trio with preeminent improvisers Shirley Smart (cello) and Ben Smith (piano), as well as Bossa Nova project “Sabia”. Tobie has multiple credits for the BBC and has been interviewed on JazzFM. He has contributed as a writer to Syncopated Times and JazzJournal. He has performed across Europe at iconic venues, including St. John’s Smith Square, Jazzbina Sarajevo, Ronnie Scott’s, Mostar Gipsy Festival and Vortex Jazz Club.

The A-team quartet features undoubtedly some of the UK’s finest Gypsy Jazz musicians. Simon Moore and Ducato Piotrowski are on guitars, and Alec Hewes is on Bass. Lovers of modern music as well as the classic Django Hot Club sound, they draw on modern jazz and contemporary classical, blended with the high-energy swing of Gypsy Jazz and the passion of traditional European music. The group’s upcoming album features music from a diverse range of influences, including Ahmad Jamal, Brad Mehldau and John Williams.

Simon Moore’s impressive performance and composition career has seen him share the stage with fusion guitar megastar Allan Holdsworth, as well as Soft Cell’s Marc Almond. His band in the 1980’s, after signing to CBS Sony, went on to see no.1 hits in Italy and Belgium and a support tour with Human League. He has made appearances at top jazz clubs including Pizza Express Jazz Club, Ealing Jazz Festival and La Chope Des Puces in Paris. Simon is also a sought after composer, and has composed for the BBC, ITV, C4 and Sky.

Ducato Piotrowski is the first call for many of the world’s best internationally touring Gypsy Jazz musicians in the UK. He has widely performed at top venues including Pizza Express Jazz Club and the Royal Festival Hall.

Alec Hewes, originally from the West Midlands in the UK and currently based in London, is a highly sought-after bass player. He performs with a diverse range of artists, including Ashley Henry, Blanco White, Beatenberg, Olive Jones, and Audrey Powne.

“A Fine Violinist” – Jazzwise

“Dazzled us with his virtuosity…he truly is an inspiration” – London Jazz News

“Gypsy Jazz is often associated with the past and archaism. However…the talented violinist Tobie Medland, proves that this genre can be modern and fresh” – Laboratorium (Poland)