the band
Phil Hopkins:
Harmonica/percussion
Phil Hopkins has performed as a percussionist, harmonica player or musical director in more than 100 London shows in the West End and at the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre including Olivier award-winning productions at the National such as Oklahoma!, A Little Night Music and Sweeney Todd.
He has also played/recorded with the best of Britain's jazz artists including Claire Martin, Jim Mullen, Norma Winstone, Stacey Kent, Guy Barker, Tim Garland and Julian Joseph.
Phil has been featured harmonica soloist for major West End productions including Trevor Nunn's Porgy and Bess and Gone With The Wind, Tim Rice's From Here To Eternity and Stephen Sondheim's Assassins. As a recording musician Phil has performed on many TV, film, radio and album sessions as well as playing in prestigious concert halls in the UK and abroad. Lately he's been working with the London Sinfonietta…
Liam Dunachie:
piano
An acclaimed pianist, composer and arranger, Liam studied composition with Robin Holloway and Richard Marlow and co-directed the Cambridge University Jazz Orchestra with which he toured Budapest, Rome and performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival. After graduating from Cambridge, Liam won a scholarship to study jazz piano and arranging at Guildhall where he studied with Malcolm Edmonstone, Nikki Iles and Scott Stroman.
He has performed with the London Jazz Orchestra at the Vortex and appeared with many different artists including Jim Mullen, Tony Kofi, Nigel Price, Josh Kemp, Henry Lowther and at prestigious venues including Ronnie Scott’s, The Savoy Hotel and The Royal Albert Hall.
As an accompanist and session pianist he has worked for a wide variety of organisations, including BBC2’s The Choir with Gareth Malone, Opera Up Close, and has worked in several of London’s premier recording Studios including Air, Angel and The Pool.
As a composer and arranger he has also produced arrangements in recent months for the City of London Sinfonia and had his work performed by Trinity College Choir on a recent tour across the USA and Canada. He has also worked as a Musical Director for National Youth Music Theatre.
photo: Jonathan Stewart
Jeremy Shoham: saxophones
Jeremy Shoham spent many years working and touring with composer Roland Perrin’s ground breaking world jazz outfit Evidence and also did short stints with Roland’s larger ensemble The Blue Planet Orchestra.
He has combined a long musical career with directing a humanitarian aid charity and could often be seen jumping off a plane from war torn Somalia to make the opening set at the Bulls Head or 606. He has played with numerous bands over the years including the Pete Hurt Octet, Gino Washington and Gregory Scheckter. He formed Just East of Jazz (now Just East) in the early ‘90s and co-leads the band with Rick Finlay – long-time friend and collaborator.
Rick Finlay:
drums & percussion
Rick’s eclectic performance credits include Just East, Liane Carroll, Si Cranstoun, Des O'Connor, Jacqui Dankworth, Sinéad O’Connor and Mari Wilson.
His career as West End theatre drummer has included a 22-year run at Blood Brothers as well as Little Shop of Horrors, Chess, Time, and has seen him accompanying stars like Mel C, Natasha Hamilton, Marti Pellow, Cliff Richard, Stephanie Lawrence, David Cassidy and David Soul.
His love of jazz has led to performances with many of the finest UK Jazz soloists including Ian Shaw, Martin Speake, Derek Nash, Gilad Atzmon, Ed Jones, Jim Mullen, Roger Beaujolais and many others.
Television includes: Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, Parkinson, The Jethro Junction, The Late Show.
An innovative and enthusiastic teacher, Rick has directed workshops in Jazz and Latin-American percussion, as well as the business of music. He writes for, plays in and manages jazz/world quartet Just East and their record label Just East of Jazz.
photo: Jonathan Stewart
photo: Jonathan Stewart
Phil Scragg: Bass
Phil has lectured at K College Tunbridge and has performed at the Albert Hall and Wembley Arena. He has toured internationally with many artists including The Beautiful South, Incantation, Evidence, Joey Negro, Dudu Pukwana, Imelda Staunton, Billy Jenkins, John Etheridge, Carol Grimes and many others.
As a recording artist his credits include Robert Plant, Joey Negro, Ester Aweke, Dudu Pukwana, Just East and Sax Appeal.
As well as performance and recording Phil also works as a composer/arranger and producer with numerous TV and film credits to his name.