A Night of Dynamic Jazz with Mike Hope and Ray Butcher
Mike Hope is a highly regarded saxophonist and clarinettist whose impressive career spans a multitude of genres. His musical journey began with studies at Leeds University, followed by a year-long placement at the prestigious University of North Texas, a renowned institution for jazz education. In 1996, Hope's talent was recognised when he was voted the Northern Jazz Musician of the Year, leading him to the London finals. This pivotal achievement spurred him to form his own band, Mike Hope’s Jazzmahoot, where he began crafting and recording his original material. Today, Hope is a highly sought-after musician, performing across the US and Europe. His work fluidly moves between Jazz, Latin, Big Band, Pop, and Light Classical, showcasing his incredible versatility. He has shared the stage with a diverse range of artists, including Matt Monroe Junior, John Wilson and the Hallé Orchestra, Jack Sheldon, Julian Joseph, Phil Woods, and Julian Arguelles. His extensive experience also includes a four-year stint with ‘The Rat Pack’ show, with successful West End runs at the Haymarket and Savoy theatres. In 2006, he further cemented his reputation by joining the iconic Syd Lawrence Orchestra as first tenor.
Alongside Hope for this special evening is the fluent and melodic trumpeter Ray Butcher, a musician with vast experience and an impressive resume of collaborations. Butcher's trumpet has graced recordings and performances with a star-studded list of artists including the legendary Dr. John, Mica Paris, Robbie Williams, Beverly Knight, Robert Plant, Soweto Kinch, and Jean Toussaint. Notably, he was the trumpet soloist on the Grammy-nominated CD 'Burning Lights' by the US Grammy winner Chris Tomlin. Beyond his session work, Butcher leads his own group, The Ray Butcher Band, which has made appearances on popular comedies “Very Important People” and “The Morgana Show”. His trumpet playing also received extensive coverage in the BBC1 period drama “Landgirls”. Recently, Butcher has been captivating audiences across the UK's best-known stages, including the iconic Ronnie Scott’s and the 606 Club, with his immensely original show featuring self-penned tracks and his favourite jazz standards.
Leading the dynamic supporting trio with his soulful, high-energy piano style (and perhaps a few blues-inspired vocal features) will be the talented pianist Dave McGarry.
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