About Frankly Jazz
Our stage craft and musicianship has been perfected with years of practice, practice and more practice! Many of the band studied jazz at the UK leading Leeds College of Music jazz course. Thereafter we have honed our skills on stages across the UK and further afield. We bring you authentic jazz that wouldn’t be out of place at any jazz venue….we know because we have played at most of them!
Whether you like the melodies of Frank and Dean or the rhythm of Benny Goodman our band offers a full and authentic Big Band experience. If you’re after a swing band wedding then these guys will fit the bill!
THE PLAYERS
Nadim Teimoori – Saxophonist, clarinetist and occasional flautist, graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, winner of the ‘The Humphrey Lyttelton Royal Academy of Music Jazz Award’, Ronnie Scotts regular, Jamie Cullum featured soloist and the de facto ‘Il Duce’ of FJ. I could go on but i’ll leave the final word to the Guardian “A precocious hard-boppish authority”. Oh, and he’s the nicest guy you’re ever likely to meet.
Saved from obscurity by Jonny Tunnard, FJ’s vocalist Marcus Groundwater started his jazz career in Dallas’ Deep Ellum by getting absolutely hammered. During brief periods of sobriety Marcus has recorded with world famous The Black Dyke Band as well as vocally appearing on a numerous national advertising campaigns.
Luke has been playing drums since he walked into a music shop aged 12 and struck a triangle. Recently Luke plays a variety of jazz groups and has even been nominated for Brit and MOBO awards.
It is indisputable that Tom Ianson is the Trombone player in Frankly Jazz. Great news for everyone as his beefy tone is the bedrock upon which FJ soundscape is built. Recently found touring Europe with Post Modern Jukebox. Grrr
Legend has it that Jonny Tunnard started playing jazz piano 6 days before he was born which probably explains why he was delivered wearing a tuxedo. Brilliant jazz pianist and part-time music lawyer Jonny is the MD and backbone of the band.
Frankly Jazz’s guitarist and moral compass, Andy Morgan is an alumni of the Umbria Jazz festival and MI6 . 6 fingered Andy plays outlandish improv while maintaining the calmest of exteriors.
Tom Sharp cut his teeth playing lead trumpet for the BBC Big Band of the Year (unbeaten) MYJO based in the midlands. Since moving to Leeds, he has set up and runs the Tom Sharp Jazz Orchestra, winner of ‘Best Band’ at the Great North Big Band Festival. Ocasional Inigo Montoya impersonator. 2016
Frankly Jazz’s laid back bass player Mick Bardon make’s playing the double bass look easy, playing as he does with the air of someone sipping a Pina colada in The Lamb and Flag. Extremely gifted double bass improviser and exponent of experimental music with Shatner’s Basoon, Mick is as happy with the bass as with the double.
When ever possible Franky Jazz uses the core members of the band as seen here. When one of the players is unavailable we use one of our amazing deps who slot straight in.
