The Andy Panayi Septet
A jazz flute experience playing original material and jazz classics

Andy Panayi - flute, alto flute, bass flute, piccolo

Phil Robson - guitar
Grew up in Derby and with the help of clarinetist father Trevor, was sufficiently adept on the guitar to start gigs when he was fourteen years old; followed by a move to London when he was eighteen to attend the Guildhall School of Music. Since completing his jazz course Phil rapidly gained distinction with well known musicians such as Jean Toussaint, Julian and Steve Arguilles, Charles Earland, Django Bates, Martin Speake and the Creative Jazz Orchestra.

He has recorded extensively, all of singer Christine Tobins albums and has toured regularly across Europe, the Middle East and India. He co leads the band "partisans" with Julian Siegel and currently leads a trio with David Whitford (Bass) and Asaf Sirkis (Drums). In 1997 Phil won the notable BT "Best soloist of the year" award and the following year won the Perrier young jazz award for the best instrumentalist. He has been quite rightly described as a musician with the unusual alertness to the collective needs of his partners.

Gareth Williams - piano
Gareth was born into a highly musical Welsh family taking up piano at the age of five and turning professional after graduating in English Literature at Cambridge University. He went on to study music at London's Guildhall, initially on guitar, later switching to piano and it is mainly as a pianist that a glowing reputation has been gained, both in this country and abroad. His first major professional engagement was as a keyboard player/MD for jazz and hip hop band "Us3" including a world tour in 1993 and has since been regularly associated with the top jazz singer Claire Martin plus the Jim Mullen Quartet.

He has also worked with numerous international jazz greats including James Moody, Art Farmer, George Coleman and Bud Shank. Gareth formed his own trio in 1995 and regularly appears with this group at Ronnie Scott's Club, with a refreshing range of music taking in original compositions and influences including contemporary classical works and Welsh folk songs. A musician of considerable energy.

Laurence Cottle- bass guitar
Born Swansea into a musical family. He was taught fundamentals on the trombone by his farther a semiprofessional pianist and when only twelve years old became part of a four piece trad group with his two brothers. They later became part of a dance band playing at holiday camps and halls around Wales but with Laurence now performing on the electric bass guitar. Recordings by Charlie Parker, JJ Johnson and Sonny Stitt were an inspiration resulting in a lengthy stay in Los Angeles when only seventeen years old.

Laurie returned to London, met a number of top musicians, while working at a music shop, followed by another short spell on the west coast of the USA in 1985. Later that year he joined Mike Mower's"itchy fingers" and has since freelanced with such as Bill Le Sage, Martin Drew,Tim Garland and Jason Rebello. Laurie is also an accomplished composer and his music has featured in films and television programmes including Good Morning America, Kavenagh QC, Hetty Wainthrope Investigates and the Oprah Winfrey Show. Rated by the late Bill Le Sage as the best electric bass guitar player in Britain today - Say no More!

Ian Thomas - drums
Cardiff born Ian always wanted to be a jazz drummer after being "hooked" at age twelve years by the Buddy Rich Band LP. He was tutored privately until sixteen and was then engaged by a dance band leader at Butlins Holiday Camp and stayed there for five years until he joined the National Youth Jazz Orchestra in London. He subsequently worked for the notable NDR Orchestra, Hamburg and is now a freelance musician gaining acclaim with the likes of the Jim Mullen Quartet, Claire martin and the Mornington Lockett band.

Pat White - trumpet
Started playing the trumpet in wind and symphony orchestras including musical groups at his local Norwich school. He joined the newly formed school jazz orchestra at thirteen years and was initially inspired by Clifford Brown's album "study in Brown". Other influences include Miles Davis and Chet Baker. Pat completed a four year jazz course at the Royal Academy of Music before joining a succession of British bands led by Stan Tracy, John Dankworth and the BBC Big Band in both lead and jazz capacities. He played with John Surman's Brass Project including successful tours of Italy and has accompanied top stars Natelie Cole and Shirley Bassey. Frequently engaged on film soundtracks such as Moulin rouge, Evita and Lost in Space. An Ideal choice for Andy's septet band.

Mark Nightingale - trombone
Began playing trombone at nine years of age and developed rapidly to the extent of winning the prestigious Don Lusher Award at the age of fifteen and sharing Andy Panayi's distinction of graduating from Trinity college of Music, London. He was invited to join NYJO as lead trombonist and during this period started composing and arranging; later forming the five trombone group "Bone Structure", producing a warmly received debut album in 1998. Mark's subjective and lyrical playing, when added to superb technique, makes him a world class performer constantly engaged by top big bands. He has worked alongside or recorded with, Frank Sinatra, Elton John, Luciano Pavaroti, Henry Mancini, Clark Terry, Ray Brown, Lee Konitz and George Shearing. He can currently be heard with the likes of Cleo Laine & John Dankworth, Stan Tracy's Ellingtonia and the Charlie Watts Ten-tet.