REPERTOIRE

The Quintet plays material ranging from the classic 'Blue Note' era of the 1950s' and 1960s' to original compositions by Ben Crosland.

"This is jazz with a twinkle; fast lane music which puts the spirits into overdrive."

Yorkshire Post

PERSONNEL BEN CROSLAND (bass)

The leader of the Quintet, he provides its harmonic and rhythmic foundation. He also composes and arranges much of the group's material. He was Bass Guitar Tutor at the Wavendon Jazz Summer School for several years. He presents jazz on radio, in concert and at festivals. A busy sideman, he has worked with Spike Robinson, George Masso, Howard Alden, Ken Peplowski and Harry Allen, amongst others, and has toured as a member of the Jim Mullen/John Etheridge Quartet.

Jazz Journal International

ROD MASON (soprano, alto, tenor saxophones and flute)

A powerful and extrovert performer who is a firm audience favourite, he can also produce the most tender reading of ballads. He leads his own group. A busy freelance player in the jazz and blues fields, he has worked alongside Albert King and Walter Trout.

Like many leading British players, he began his career in the National Youth Jazz Orchestra before joining Michael Garrick's group with whom he has broadcast and toured. He has worked with Tony Coe and Red Rodney, amongst others, and leads his own group, "Blueprint". He is currently Co-ordinator of Jazz Studies at the Royal Northern College of Music

An alumnus of the City of Leeds College of Music, he has developed into a major guitar talent. He has worked with Georgie Fame and Martin Taylor, amongst others, has undertaken several years' session work in television and leads his own group. With influences which include Robben Ford and George Benson he brings a bluesy contemporary bite and freshness to the band.

The consummate professional, comfortable in any context, he is a truly musical drummer, powerful or sensitive as the situation demands, always swinging. His playing credits over the years include Bud Shank, A] Grey, Buddy Tate, Harry 'Sweets' Edison and Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis.

1990
January Debut gig at Wakefield Jazz Club
June Appearance at Beaumaris Festival
August Broadcast on BBC Radio 2 "Jazz Parade"

1991
April Tour of Holland and Belgium
May Appearance at Llangollen International Jazz Festival
July Appearance at Wigan International Jazz Festival
September Broadcast on BBC Radio 2 "Jazz Parade"

1992
March Tour of Belgium
May Appearance at lst Keswick Jazz Festival
July Appearance at Sheffield Jazz Festival
September Concert at the Stables Theatre, Wavendon
October Appearance with Alan Skidmore at the lst Marsden Jazz Festival

1993
May Appearance at Keswick Jazz Festival.
September Broadcast on BBC Radio 2 "The Radio 2 Arts Programme"
National tour with Alan Skidmore
October Appearance with Jean Toussaint at Marsden Jazz Festival

1994
May Appearance with Bruce Adams at the Red Lion Inn, Huddersfield Appearance at Llangollen International Jazz Festival
August Appearance with Alan Skidmore at the Red Lion Inn, Huddersfield
October Appearance with Alan Barnes arid Bruce Adams at the Marsden Jazz Festival

1995
February Appearance with Alan Skidmore at Wakefield Jazz Club'
May Appearance with Mark Nightingale at Wakefield Jazz Club. Appearance at Llangollen International Jazz Festival
June Release of debut CD 'The Northern Run' featuring Alan Skidmore
July Appearance at Wigan International Jazz Festival
August 'The Northern Run' featured on Humphrey Lyttleton's Radio 2 Jazz Progranime
October Appearance with Jim Mullen at Marsden Jazz Festival
Appearance with Art Themen at the Lawrence Batley Theatre Huddersfield
December Appearance with Don Weller at the Lawrence Batley Theatre Huddersfield

1996
January Appearance with Alan Skidmore at the Piper Club, Hull
February Appearance with Dave 0'Higgins at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
March Appearance with Jim Mullen at Wakefield Jazz Club
April Appearance with Mark Nightingale at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
May Appearance at Keswick Jazz Festival
June Appearance with Jean Toussaint at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
September Appearance with Nigel Hitchcock at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
October Appearance with Gerard Presencer at the Marsden Jazz Festival
November Appearance with Mornington Lockett at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
December Appearance with Mike Carr at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield

1997
February Appearance with Alan Skidmore atthe Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
April Appearance with Don Weller at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
Appearance with Gerard Presencer at Wakefield Jazz Club
May Appearance with Gerard Presencer at the Dee Street Club, Hull
July Appearance at Grimsby International Jazz Festival
Appearance at Wigan International Jazz Festival
October Appearance with Mike Carr at Marsden Jazz Festival. Appearance with Guy Barker at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
November Appearance with Peter King at the Lawrence Batley Theatre. Appearance with Gerard Presencer at the Screen, Scunthorpe. Appearance with Jim Mullen at the Lawrence Batley Theatre
December Appearance at Wigan Jazz Club

1998
April Appearances with Alan Skidmore at Wakefield Jazz Club and the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
June Appearance at Manchester Jazz Festival with Steve Waterman
September Release of the CD 'A Dales Day' (JCCD 103) recorded with Steve Waterman
October 'A Dales Day' featured on Humphrey Lyttleton's Best of Jazz programme

1999
May Appearance at Llangollen International Jazz Festival Appearance with Steve Waterman at Scarborough Jazz Club Appearance with Alan Skidmore at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
June Appearance with Steve Waterman at the Swaledale Festival
July Appearance with Steve Waterman on Yorkshire T.V.'s "The Dales Diary" presented by Luke Casey, which also featured music from "A Dales Day"

2000
March
Jazz Services Tour with Alan Skidmore Mark Nightingale and Steve Waterman to celebrate the Quintet's 10th Anniversary

• Itinerary
• 2nd Bonington Theatre, Nottingham
• 15th Dee Dee Street Club, Hull
• 16th Corner House Hotel, Newcastle
• 17th Wakefield Jazz Club
• 23rd Biggin Hall, Coventry*
• 25th Royal Festival Hall Foyer, London*
• (*Dave O'Higgins replaced Alan Skidmore on these dates)