Harking back to the pure jazz sounds of the ‘50s and ‘60s, the Matt Wates Sextet features the classic combination of two saxes, trumpet and rhythm section, which creates a lot of possibilities for an arranger/composer. As a writer, Matt devises original material that will be fun to play, and to create a strong mood that will communicate itself well to an audience, including the non-jazz crowd.

Matt says: “In general, I am trying to put back into the music some of the things that I feel have got lost over the years. Above all, I maintain that jazz should be fun to listen to as well as to perform.”

The Matt Wates Sextet plays Herts Jazz Club on Sunday, January 29 at 7.45pm at Campus West, The Campus, Welwyn Garden City. Details: 01707 357117, members.campuswest@welhat.gov.uk