A meeting of generations!
Guitarist Tom Ollendorff distinguished himself at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, winning the Yamaha scholarship in 2015. Since graduating, he has been based in London, where he is gaining a formidable reputation as an outstanding improviser and imaginative composer, working with the likes of Huw Warren and many others.
Tonight he works with alto saxophonist Geoff Simkins. A professional musician since 1977, he has played at concerts, clubs and festivals in all parts of the U.K. and has worked abroad extensively in Europe, Scandinavia, West Africa, Bahrein, Dubai, and the Far East. His most recent release is with Nikki Iles and Dave Green,which received a 4* review in the Observer, and was described as ‘sublime’ in Londonjazz.
“Simkins is often described as a “cool” player, meaning measured, subtle, but by no means placid.” (Observer)
“Simkins has, as Dave Green observes, “often been stowed in a compartment labelled ‘Cool School’ “. Maybe that helps locate some of the sources on which he personally has drawn, but there’s nevertheless a distinctiveness to his playing that the tag misses. Perhaps a school of his own is in order: the ‘Quiet School ‘ anyone? ” (Mike Collins, Londonjazz)
Perhaps a model for the partnership with Ollendorff is his own work with guitarist Dave Cliff including the much praised C.D’s ‘The Music of Tadd Dameron’ released in 1997 and the marvellous duo and quartet recording – ‘Sipping at Bells ‘.