Often described as ‘the finest gypsy jazz in the Cotswolds’, Swing from Paris are a UK quartet of violin, two guitars and double bass. Inspired by the great swing bands of the 1930s and 40s, they present their own versions of music by Gershwin, Piazzolla, John Lewis, Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli.

Swing from Paris have been seen on the BBC’s Hairy Bikers, they have appeared at major jazz festivals including Cheltenham, Brecon and the Django Reinhardt Festival at Samois sur Seine, and have even performed at the opening of a service station for the pleasure of King Charles III(!), always charming audiences with their stylish jazz and vintage swing. 

“Swing from Paris are always very popular with the jazz festival crowds – great music in an upbeat and accessible style, performed with class” Cheltenham Jazz Festival

Miles Davis was an American jazz trumpeter who became one of the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz. Pioneering the bebop style alongside Charlie Parker, Davis went on to record the most popular jazz record of all time, Kind of Blue, and continued being an artistic innovator throughout his life.

Sam Massey will be performing some pieces composed by Miles Davis like All Blues, and many associated with Davis over his career, such as Stella by Starlight. Massey has been hailed as a “fine trumpet player” by the Guardian and he will also be playing flugelhorn to add a contrasting mellow timbre for some of the tunes, accompanied by Philip Clouts at the piano and John Donnelly on double bass.

The beguiling sound of the flute has appeared in jazz music from the beginning, with masters like Roland Kirk, Eric Dolphy, Yusef Lateef, Herbie Mann and Hubert Laws all dazzling with their unique sound. Renowned musician Pete Canter will be playing a wide variety of jazz tunes on the flute, joined on stage by pianist Philip Clouts and bassist John Donnelly.

Pete Canter has recorded several albums which have been very well received, and played at major UK festivals including the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Teignmouth Jazz Festival, Bude Jazz Festival and Exeter Vibraphonic. He has also been hosting a long running jazz club in Exeter, currently based at the Mermaid.

The audience will hear a wide variety of jazz and bossa nova music on the flute, including ‘Lullaby of Birdland’, ‘The Shadow of Your Smile’, ‘Caravan’, and ‘All of Me’.

"Varied, exciting, exceptional" Musician Magazine