Middlesex jazz alumnus Stian Westerhus. Photo credit: Hreinn Gudlaugsson/ Creative Commons

Sebastian writes: Chris Batchelor from the Middlesex Uni was in touch to mention a Middlesex University alumni bands night at the Vortex. The title of the new series is “Middlesex Presents” and the first night is on Saturday May 14th. 

The blurb for the series states: “In this new series the Vortex will host established bands featuring former Middlesex jazz students, and will also provide a platform for upcoming bands formed by current students.”

This department, perhaps the place where the spirit of Loose Tubes has been carried forward most effectively for more than two decades, has produced an astonishing range of great musicians.

The first gig is at the Vortex on Saturday. It will present a double bill of:

LET SPIN

CHRIS MONTAGUE (guitar)
RUTH GOLLER (bass)
CHRIS WILLIAMS (saxophone
FINLAY PANTER (drums)

AND

VELS TRIO

CAMERON DAWSON (Bass)
DOUGAL TAYLOR (Drums)
JACK STEPHENSON-OLIVER (Keyboards)

Following Chris’s idea, I did a quick bit of research on the Department’s website, and also launched a request on Twitter – which led to this pool/list (*) from whom the Middlesex Presents series could in theory draw, in the future: : 

Froy Aagre (saxophone)
Maria Chaira Argir ò (piano)
Ben Bastin (bass/ producer)
Alex Bonney (trumpet /producer)
Sarah Gail Brand (trombone)
Andrew Button (guitar)
Laura Cole (composer)
Kelly Dickson (vocals)
Amanda Drummond (viola)
Tom Greenhalgh
Chris Gulino (keyboards)
Ed Gaughan – (actor and comedian)
Binker Golding (saxophone)
Ruth Goller (bass)
Justin Goodall (guitar)
Roz Harding (sax)
Bev Lee Harling (singer/songwriter)
Alex Jackson (sax)
Adam King (bass)
Hans Koller (piano)
Michael Olatuja (bass)
David Oliver (keyboards)
Vitor Pereira (guitar)
Mitch Perrins (drums)
Jack Pollitt (drums)
Ben Reynolds (drums)
Holly Slater (saxophone)
Tommaso Starace (saxophone)
Jon Shone (keyboards)
Femi Temowo (guitar)
Stian Westerhus (guitar)
Dave Whitford (bass)
Jason Yarde (saxophone)

AND

all of Led Bib:
Mark Holub (drums)
Liran Donin (bass)
Toby McLaren (keyboards)
Chris Williams (alto sax)
Pete Grogan (alto sax)

(*) it may contain errors and certainly contains omissions.

DETAILS/ BOOKINGS FOR THE FIRST MIDDLESEX PRESENTS