The Royal Jam

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 distinguished and so very recognisable piano groove and technique of the great Joe Sample is Carl Hudson (Leroy Hutson, Dexter Wansel, City Funk Orchestra, PBug) and Carl’s virtuoso playing style works beautifully in achieving just that. Trevor Mires on trombone (Incognito, George Benson, Randy Brecker Big Band) and Patrick Clahar (Incognito, Bill Bruford) on saxophone - both crack soloists in their own right, their tandem horn sound perfectly evokes the signature Crusaders style. On guitar Tim Cansfield (Seal, Stevie Winwood) and bass player 'Level' Neville Malcolm (Billy Cobham, Jack de Johnette) plus top drummer Geoff Dunn (Van Morrison, Donna Summer, Incognito) complete as highly accomplished a rhythm section as you could wish for.

The band’s inaugural performance was to open the Southend Jazz Festival 2022 following in 2024 as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival all alongside numerous sold out jazz club across London.

With such an enviable body of work to choose from it means a wealth of celebrated Crusaders tracks for these indisputably top-class musicians to visit and explore. Spiral, Creole, Chain Reaction, My Mama Told Me So, Stomp And Buck Dance, Put It Where You Want It and, of course - Street Life - are stylishly delivered alongside many more great tracks the band covers.