Party: Charlie Wood Band

Party: Charlie Wood Band

"*the growl and moan of Eric Burdon, the otherworldly lilt of Donald Fagen, and the scorched majesty of Kurt Elling." - Jazz Times
Charlie Wood piano/vocals, Chris Allard guitar, Dudley Phillips bass, Nic France drums

Charlie Wood is a musician whose eclectic musical style incorporates elements of jazz, blues, soul, traditional R&B and popular music. In his early 20s, Charlie toured with legendary blues guitarist Albert King, before securing a long-term residency on Beale Street with his Hammond organ trio. He so impressed touring musicians such as B.B. King, Georgie Fame, Joey DeFrancesco and Mulgrew Miller, that they asked to sit in with him. Charlie’s albums have received stellar reviews. R2 Magazine opined that his well-honed, literate lyrics are "written with the technical precision and linguistic flair of a classic from the Great American Songbook."

Chris Allard has an international reputation, having performed at and festivals, including the Royal Festival Hall and the Montreux Jazz Festival. He has worked and recorded with Jacqui Dankworth, Alison Balsom and Jamie Cullum. Jazz Views described Chris as "a non-clichéed linear improviser of great originality and talent".

Playing both double and electric bass, Dudley Phillips is a creative musician and composer based in London. Working in the fields of contemporary songwriting, jazz and folk/world music, he has played and recorded with Robert Wyatt, Bill Withers, June Tabor and Cedar Walton.

Nic France has been at the top of his game since arriving in London in 1980 when he began working as a session musician. Within the first three years, he played with a "Who's Who" of British and international artists including Ian Carr's Nucleus, Ronnie Scott, Kenny Wheeler, David 'Fathead' Newman and Mose Allison.

"Every jazz fan likes to have a best-kept secret but if there’s any musical justice, we should see a lot more of Charlie Wood." - Mark Gilbert, Jazz Journal