SWING    -    JAZZ   -    PARTY

Meet the band

James Billington

Vocals

James is regarded to be one of the top male vocalists throughout the South West particularly in the swing and jazz genre.

He first got into this style of music when he received Robbie Williams' 'Swing When You're Winning' album for Christmas and it opened his eyes to fabulous voices and music within that style.

James has been performing professionally for just under 20 years not just including All Jazzed Up but he also sings with some of the other top bands in the region. 

James also runs a UK leading Michael Bublé theatre tribute show, Magnificent Bublé.

He can still occasionally be found treading the boards in the odd musical theatre show.

His real passion lies within swing music though and loves seeing how infectious the feel-good factor is within each song.

Simon Carter

Keys

Originally from Bristol, Simon started playing the piano at the age of 8 and shortly after added the clarinet and saxophone to his skill set. Whilst studying for his music degree at Cardiff University, Simon began teaching the piano and built up a significant student base there.  

Upon graduating, Simon studied for his PGCE at Bristol University in secondary music before starting a career as a music teacher – something he has done ever since.  

Simon teaches the piano and keyboard in schools and privately and now also gives singing lessons.  

Simon is also well respected in the region for his work in musical theatre, working regularly as a musical director for several companies as well as performing in pit orchestras.

David Jones

Guitar

David is one of the leading gypsy guitarists in the UK, having played with European jazz legends Lollo Meier and Bertrand le Guillou on their recent UK tours. 

David also fronts his own band, La vie en Rose, who have played prestigious jazz festivals such as Upton on Severn and the Lyme Regis jazz and blues festival, as well as playing at the Royal Albert Hall every Valentine's weekend. 

David models his playing off of his jazz guitar hero Django Reinhardt, whilst adding his own modern twist. David is also an accomplished guitar teacher, teaching at West Buckland, a prestigious boarding school in North Devon. 

As well as regular teaching work, David also runs jazz workshops at the incredibly popular "March Manouche" festival in North Wales, as well as his own in his hometown of Exeter. 

Not only limit to jazz, David plays electric guitar in local musical theatres and was part of the opening act for 80's rock legends Mr. Big on their UK reunion tour. 

David proudly plays and endorses British guitar makers "JWC Guitars".

Kevin Sanders

Bass

Following in the footsteps of his parents and brother (all of whom are musicians) Kevin has been a professional bassist for over thirty years and in that time has gigged and recorded with most of the finest musicians of the British jazz scene, from singers like Clare Teal and Tina May to top instrumentalists like Pete King, Art Themen, Mark Nightingale, Simon Spillet and many, many others. He’s also recorded with musicians as diverse as the Levellers and award-winning Korean classical pianist Ingrid Wu. As well as numerous BBC radio and television sessions, he’s played well over 4000 live performances, appearing all over the world from Brussels to Broadway including several appearances at Glastonbury festival. He was bass player for American stars the Osmonds for four years including several tours. Theatre work has included productions of Annie, Sunset Boulevard  and The Sound of Music.

For many years he was head of bass Studies for AMS; group of eight music academies across the country which he regularly visited giving master-classes to the bass students who studied either a two-year Btec course or a full time, BA Honours Degree course, both of which he wrote and developed (to edexcel spec) including all compositions, transcriptions and adaptations of music for bass. He’s also taught at several schools and Dartington College of Arts.

He has written equipment reviews and a monthly teaching column for Bass Guitar Magazine for over 10 years. and has written numerous articles on contemporary bass playing for other music magazines.

Gary Evans

Drums

Gary is widely regarded as one of the best drummers in the country, especially when it comes to swing and jazz music.

Although he has played on and off with All Jazzed Up for a few years, he officially joined the band in 2019.

Gary is by far the most sought after drummer in the South West of England and can be seen performing regularly with some of the top bands in the region.

One of Gary's top credits is that he was for many years the drummer for the famous Nick Ross Big Band.

Neil Maya

Saxes/Clarinet

Neil is regarded as being on of the top musicians around and plays in both of our smaller and larger formats of bands although watch out, he can often be found in the middle of the dance floor with his sax!

Neil provides a phenomenal sound for All Jazzed Up on Tenor Sax, Alto Sax and Clarinet. He's also quite proud of his unique backing vocals!

Since moving to Devon in 2001 he has become increasingly busy as a saxophonist playing in many styles including classical and jazz throughout the South West including his own jazz quartet The Neil Maya Quartet.

As well as live performance Neil teaches clarinet, saxophone and improvisation privately He also runs a number of groups including the South Devon Big Band and runs workshops on jazz improvisation including the East Prawle Jazz weekend as well as arranges and composes.

Chris Holland

Trombone

Born and raised in the beautiful Devon town of Sidmouth, Chris has been playing trombone for more years than he cares to mention. Chris works in local government by day but his real love is music. He first learnt trombone under Maurice Beadows for whom he owes a great deal  then progressing to various bands and orchestras. He plays for different groups including a long time association with the Sidmouth Town band, a brass band with which he continues to play with as Principal Trombone. He has been involved in many orchestral concerts and played under many famous conductors with one of his fondest memories playing under the baton of Sir Neville Mariner. 

Chris also also has a love of theatre and has tread the boards many times in both plays and musicals. His knowledge of the stage is considerable as he continues to appear ‘in the pit’ under the stage in many musicals performed in theatres all over Devon, Dorset and Somerset and occasionally on stage. 

Chris is thrilled to be playing for All Jazzed Up and loves the different music and fun styles encountered during the performances.

Matt Sherwood

Trumpet

Matt’s life always has and continues to revolve around music. His musical journey began aged 7 when he started trumpet lessons at school and began singing in his local church choir, and he has been performing ever since!

Having been deeply involved with musical ensembles at school and throughout his native Hertfordshire County, Matt went on to gain both an Undergraduate and a Masters degree specialising in Music Performance from Canterbury Christ Church University.

Since moving to Devon Matt has joined several ensembles prides himself in performing a huge variety of genres, from Orchestral to Brass Band to Jazz and Pop!

Matt truly lives Music 24/7 as he sells musical instruments by day and spends his evenings at various concerts and rehearsals.