Multi-award-winning saxophonist Simon Spillett has worn almost as many hats as it’s possible to wear within jazz

Saxophonist Simon Spillett is Sunday’s guest at Pangbourne Jazz Club.

Over his 25-year career Simon Spillett has worn almost as many hats as it’s possible to wear within jazz; multi-award-winning instrumentalist (BBC Jazz Awards, British Jazz Awards, Jazz Journal’s Album of The Year), quartet and big band leader, recording artist, author, historian, record producer, archivist, magazine columnist and latterly blogger.

However, for all these varied skills he identifies most strongly as a powerfully swinging, straight-ahead tenor saxophonist, one capable of taking the audiences who hear him on a roller-coaster ride encompassing everything from energetic bebop to heartfelt balladry.

And it’s in this guise that he’s become a solid fixture on the UK jazz landscape, regularly playing sold-out gigs at major festivals (EFG London Jazz Festival, Brecon, Swanage, Scarborough, Wigan etc) and world famous club venues including Ronnie Scott’s.

A charismatic performer, gifted with a dry observational wit, he’s never lost sight of the fact that jazz is entertainment as much as self-expression and whether playing, writing or articulately holding forth on his favourite subject – UK jazz history – he’s an infectiously passionate communicator.

Doors open at 7pm.

Tickets £12.50 on the door or online www.pangbournejazzclub.com/

Pangbourne Jazz Club brings the best of the British jazz scene on the first Sunday of each month. It is hosted at Pangbourne WMC in the Rosewood Hall, 1 Whitchurch Road. Free raffle, inexpensive bar and public parking