EFG London Jazz Festival: The Royal Jam - the music of the Crusaders

*THE ROYAL JAM - the music of the Crusaders *

The band revisit the music of the legendary West Coast jazz and jazz/funk pioneers bringing together some of UK’s finest players to mirror the classic line-up of sax and trombone, piano, guitar, electric bass and drums.

Tasked with articulating the so very recognisable piano groove and technique of the great Joe Sample is Carl Hudson (Leroy Hutson, Leon Ware, Brenda Russell) and Carl’s virtuoso playing style works beautifully in achieving just that. Pete Beachill on Trombone (Kate Bush, Herbie Hancock, Sting) alongside Nadim Teimoori (Stan Tracey, Gareth Lockrane) - both crack soloists in their own right – create a tandem horn sound that perfectly evokes the signature Crusaders vibe. On guitar Tim Cansfield (Bee Gees, Seal, Stevie Winwood) and bass player ‘Level’ Neville Malcolm (Billy Cobham, Jack DeJohnette, Jose James) plus top drummer Geoff Dunn (Van Morrison, Incognito, Joe Cocker) complete as highly accomplished a home-grown rhythm section as can be enjoyed on a London stage.

With such an enviable body of work to choose from this provides a wealth of celebrated Crusaders tracks for The Royal Jam to visit and joyfully celebrate.

Starting with the band’s highly anticipated live debut - opening the 2022 Southend Jazz Festival – The Royal Jam have accumulated friends and admirers wherever they’ve played. The exhilarating ensemble musicianship, skillful soloing and the members’ essential love of the Crusaders’ music the band always displays in performance sees to this trajectory continuing.