Maurice Williams

US born trombonist, arranger composer and educator Maurice Williams (right), put together a Quintet celebrating the music of Sammy Nestico. As conductor/composer for the Count Basie Orchestra, Nestico forged an identifiable style of simplicity that comes from years of composing. His band featured accomplished pianist Stephen Sherriff, Tom Hill (upright bass), Alan Mason (guitar) and Nick Gibbs (drums).

As the show developed Maurice the quintet was joined onstage first by singer, Sarah Kaye (left), and then by a horn section featuring Steve Ajao on alto, Ray Butcher on trumpet and of course Maurice himself on trombone making it as hot a little big band as you're likely to find.

The picture below is of the full line-up, but more to the point, make sure you see phase two of Maurice Williams band project early in 2005.