All star UK band play the music of McCoy Tyner and Bheki Mseleku. Saxophonist Jason Yarde worked with McCoy while our pianist John Donaldson and bassist Simon Thorpe worked with Bheki. Brand new arrangements of these compositions; passion and high energy.
Hexagonal came together in late 2016 to play the music of the late great South African composer and multi-instrumentalist Bheki Mseleku and the great pianist/composer McCoy Tyner. Bassist Simon Thorpe and pianist John Donaldson toured with Bheki a decade ago while saxophonist Jason Yarde, has worked with McCoy Tyner. This is their first album.
Jason Yarde enjoys an international career both as a saxophonist and composer. He has worked with some of the great names in jazz including McCoy Tyner, Andrew Hill and Jack DeJohnette. His flugelhorn concerto All Souls Seek Joy was premiered by Hugh Masekela and the London Symphony Orchestra in 2007 and his BBC Proms compositional debut, Rhythm and Other Fascinations for piano trio and the BBC Concert Orchestra, won the inaugural BASCA award for contemporary Jazz Composition in 2009.
New Zealand born tenor saxophonist Greg Heath has been resident in the UK since 1989 and has worked with a wide range of jazz and popular musicians, including Dr John, Mica Paris, Van Morrison and Joan Armatrading. He too is also a composer and has extensive experience writing for film, television and interactive media.
In 20 years as a professional, Quentin Collins has established himself as one of the UK’s top Jazz/Commercial trumpeters, having performed, toured and recorded with a plethora of internationally renowned artists across many genres. These include Fred Wesley, Gregory Porter, Mark Ronson, Kyle Eastwood, Omar, Basement Jaxx, Roy Ayers, Alicia Keys, Dennis Rollins and Mulatu Astatke.
Graeme Flowers is one of the most demanded players in the country and frequently plays top tier gigs in many genres. Graeme has just finished a world tour with Kylie Minogue, works regularly works with Kyle Eastwood, and has recently performed with artists such as Charlie Hunter and Tom Scott.
Pianist John Donaldson began playing jazz as part of the Cambridge Modern Jazz Club’s house rhythm section in the 1970’s alongside Chucho Merchan and Nic France. After moving to California he worked with locals including Eddie Henderson, John Handy, Jeff Ballard, Donny McCaslin, Larry Grenadier and Red Holloway to name a few. Back in England he’s worked with Art Themen, Alan Barnes, Norma Winstone, Don Weller, Art Farmer, Steve Grossman, Eric Alexander. He’s also won the best pianist slot at the British Jazz Awards.
Bassist Simon Thorpe worked in Bheki Mseleku’s band and has become one the most popular bass player in the country having worked with numerous artists including Stacey Kent, Bobby Wellins, Alan Barnes and Amy Winehouse. He leads his own 30-40’s swing band Jivin Miss Daisy and the electronic improv group Improphonics.
Drummer Tristan Banks has become one of the most sought after young drummers on the scene playing kit and percussion. He has studied Afro-Brazilian styles extensively and besides working with many top jazz players. He has also worked with artists covering a wide field of musical genres including Roy Ayers, Dave Valentin, Idris Mohammed, David Gilmour, Marcos Valle, Da Lata and Carleen Anderson.
