O’Higgins & Smith Play Coltrane & Dolphy
Saturday 31st January 2026
Show starts - 2.00pm
Admission - £17
For this unique concert, we bring together Dave O’Higgins & Tom Smith (two of the UKs greatest exponents of tenor, alto, soprano saxophones, flute and bass clarinet), to play the music from the 1960’s of the US great jazz duo of John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy.
Tom Smith is an award-winning saxophonist, composer, and arranger, firmly established within London’s vibrant jazz scene. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and a two-time finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year competition (2014, 2016), Smith is recognised for his innovative projects, dynamic compositions, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of jazz.
In February 2025, Smith will release his highly anticipated new album, A Year in the Life (Fey Moose Records). This debut recording from the Tom Smith Big Band is a celebration of London’s thriving jazz community, featuring a stellar lineup of established and emerging talent. Recorded at Livingston Studios and released on Fey Moose Records in association with ECN Music, the album showcases Smith’s masterful compositions and arrangements, inspired by artists such as Maria Schneider, Pat Metheny, Carla Bley, Bill Frisell, and Guy Barker.
Beyond his big band work, Smith leads a range of creative projects. His trio album, Gecko (2020, Basho Records), and his collaboration with pianist Daniel Bulatkin on Drifter Days (2022) have both received critical acclaim. He is also the founder of Queertet, a trailblazing LGBTQI+ jazz initiative, and his compositions and arrangements have been performed by ensembles such as the London Gay Big Band and the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO).
Dave O’Higgins now has 26 albums as leader to his credit. His sax sound is very personal and recognisable, with a clear sense of melodic development and adventure. A popular performer with the public, with an excellent sense of pacing and presentation, he has a wide palette from Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane and Joe Henderson through to Stanley Turrentine and Michael Brecker. He has relentlessly pursued artistic exploration and development with a deep respect for the tradition of the music. His latest project is Monkin’ Around, a co-operative with Greek drummer, Billy Pod & Aussie bassist, Luke Fowler, exploring the music of Thelonious Monk.
Dave has worked with some of the world’s finest musicians, including Joey Calderazzo, Joe Locke, Dave Kikowski, Eric Alexander, Grant Stewart, Max Ionata, Phil Dwyer, Adam Nussbaum, Joe Lovano, Phil Woods, Jimmy Smith, Nancy Wilson, Peggy Lee, Kurt Elling, Wayne Shorter, Eddie Gomez, Billy Childs, Abdullah Ibrahim, Chico Chagas and Stephane Grappelli. He also wrote and produced the last Matt Bianco album, “Gravity”. While his jazz career was in its early stages, Dave cut his teeth as a sideman with Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra.
“A stunning player in the neo-bop vein, with an apparently effortless flow of coherent ideas, beautiful time and a highly developed harmonic sense.” - JAZZ GUIDE
“His professional presentation was an object lesson to the amateurishness of local players. His musicianship seemed boundless. Like his friend Martin Taylor did last year to our guitarists, Dave O’Higgins did to our sax players – gave them new and exciting challenges. And gave us mere listeners an exceptional night.” - ADELAIDE ADVERTISER, AUSTRALIA
"Enjoyment, then, is at the heart of what makes this band tick, and Dave O’Higgins communicates that well through his introductions and explanations, and also through his playing. He gave Trinkle Tinkle which closed the first set, and Giant Steps, which opened the second set, a spirit of adventure but also of serene authority. He thinks in long lines, and the more one tunes in and listens, the more there is to appreciate in his playing." - LONDON JAZZ NEWS 2019 CD launch O’Higgins & Luft Play Monk & Trane
"The group, switching between trio, quartet and quintet formats, make this sometimes difficult music hugely entertaining; it's always questioning, exciting but never pretentious or dull." - JAZZWISE 2024 CD launch Monkin’ Around “4 in 1”
- Dave O’Higgins - Tenor & soprano sax
- Tom Smith - Alto sax & bass clarinet
- Graham Harvey - Piano
- Jeremy Brown – Bass
- Matt Skelton – Drums