Gerard Presencer has become widely respected as one of the finest trumpet players in the world. Having established himself as a soloist, studio musician and session player, he has received critical acclaim for his 3 solo albums. His playing credits cross musical genres and he has recorded with many leading artists including Sting, Robbie Williams, Ray Charles, Herbie Hancock, Joni Mitchell and Chick Corea. He has also played on and arranged for a variety of performers including Charlie Watts, Incognito, Zero 7 and Will Young. Gerard has won the trumpet category of the British Jazz Awards 4 times. Gerard has been Head of Jazz at the Royal Academy of Music in London since 1999 and is also the Head of Brass at the jazz Institute Berlin and lectures throughout Europe in Jazz Studies.
Sam Leak, piano runs the band 'Aquarium' with James Allsopp, Josh Blackmore and Calum Gourlay and 'The Sam Leak Trio' with Dave Hamblett and James Opstad. ‘Aquarium' perform entirely original music by Sam, and the Trio perform original music by all three members. He has performed widely throughout the UK, has supported Benny Golson at Ronnie Scott's, and played at the 2008 Glastonbury Music Festival. Sam has appeared as a sideman on two albums. In 2008 he performed with US bass virtuoso Janek Gwizdala (Mike Stern, Randy Brecker) and performed a piano duet with John Taylor as part of Stan Sultzman's birthday Big Band concert. Sam is a current student at the Royal Academy of Music, studying under Gwilym Simcock (Jazz) and Pascal Nemirovski (Classical). "Sam Leak is one of the brightest young stars in the jazz piano galaxy, a heavenly improviser and a brilliant prospect for the future." Helen Mayhew
James Opstad, bass. Despite being just 20, James has already played with many of the most respected UK jazz musicians today, including Stan Sulzmann, Liam Noble and Mark Lockheart. He is also featured on albums by both Jon Opstad and South African pianist Nishlyn Ramanna. Besides being a bass player, James is also a composer and was highly commended in the BBC/Guardian Composition Competition for three consecutive years. He was overall winner of the 2004 EPTA Composition Competition.
"Precocious Talent" - Jazzwise
David Hamblett, drums. Aged 20, David has played at two consecutive IAJE jazz festivals in L.A. and New York, as well as at most of the major UK Jazz venues. He has played with a number of highly regarded musicians including Stan Sulzmann, Joe Locke, Steve Wilson, Toni Kofi, Alex Wilson and Alan Barnes.
