Steve Williamson ~ Guest Saxophonist

Steve Williamson is one of the most distinctive saxophone voices in contemporary British jazz. Starting out with reggae outfit Misty in Roots, Steve emerged on the London jazz scene in the mid-1980s alongside Courtney Pine, Andy Sheppard and Tommy Smith, and as a founder member of The Jazz Warriors. He quickly made his mark, and was offered a major recording contract with the legendary Verve label. His first album, Waltz for Grace, which featured guest vocalist Abbey Lincoln, was released in 1991. Waltz For Grace revealed an artist of sensitivity, tradition and true originality with jazz fully at the core of his music. Two more albums followed, plus collaborations with, among others, Art Blakey, John Mayer, Archie Shepp, Donald Byrd, Chris McGregor, Maceo Parker, Guru and Jazzmatazz. Funk, hip-hop and reggae are key influences, but it is the powerful presence of tenor giants Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane, combined with the explorations of M-Base founder Steve Coleman, that drive Steve's dynamic and imaginative approach to creating jazz. Steve has influenced a whole generation of artists, from bassist Anthony Tidd and pianist Robert Mitchell of Quite Sane, to celebrated alto saxophonist Soweto Kinch. In recent years, Steve moved towards the underground Drum and Bass scene and the folk music of different cultures, making only rare appearances with Robert Mitchell and a few others, but he now makes a welcome return, taking centre stage with Julian Joseph, continuing an association that spans over two decades.

Adam Salkeld ~ Guitar

Adam Salkeld graduated from Berklee in 1989, majoring in film scoring. An individual and versatile guitarist, Adam has the ability to adapt to an eclectic range of musical styles ~ rock, jazz, soul, fusion and blues ~ with impressive integrity and ease. Whilst in the States he worked with Delfeayo Marsalis and toured with Victor Bailey and Steps Ahead. Now based in London, Adam works as a composer, producer and arranger for studio and live performance, combining his knowledge and interest in all genres of music with cutting-edge technological skills. He has also written three film scores for International Film School productions. As a guitarist he has toured with Goldie, performing at Glastonbury, the Phoenix Festival and T in the Park, recorded with Red House and Paz, and worked with jazz saxophonist Steve Williamson, vocalist Cleveland Watkiss and flautist Philip Bent. Since 1994, Adam has been an integral part of Julian's Big Band, Quartet and his acoustic and electric Trios, contributing both as a phenomenally gifted musician and an inspired and original composer. Off stage, he has appeared with Julian on both television and radio and joined him in educational projects and workshops across the UK and abroad.

Mark Hodgson ~ Bass

Mark is one of the most in-demand double bass players on the European scene. He has played and recorded with, among others, Randy Brecker, Eddie Henderson, Guy Barker, Sonny Fortune, Pete King, Tommy Smith, Scott Hamilton, Andy Sheppard, Cedar Walton, Django Bates, Joey Calderazzo, Stan Tracey, Gary Husband, Mark Taylor, Des'ree, Mica Paris, Georgie Fame, Ian Shaw, Clare Martin and Jamie Cullum. He first joined Julian's Big Band in 1996, and can also be seen in Tim Garland's Underground Orchestra, the London Jazz Orchestra and the BBC Big Band. From 1998 to 2003 he was a member of Bill Bruford's 'Earthworks', recording four CDs and a live DVD, making tours of Europe, Asia, Africa and the USA. Mark has performed at some of the world's most prestigious clubs and festivals, including venues such as Birdland and The Knitting Factory in New York, Washington D.C.'s Blues Alley, Yoshi's, Catalina's and The House of Blues in California, Sweet Basil's and the Blue Note in Japan, the Teatro Opera in Buenos Aires as well as London's Ronnie Scott's, Barbican Centre and Royal Festival Hall.