Spiral Band Members
Wendy Allen - Tenor/Alto/Sop Saxophone & Flute
Wendy is a self taught saxophonist although spent a short period of time at the Convservatorium Van Amsterdam studying jazz under the guidance of course leader Dick Oatts, and has played for many years both on the semi and professional circuit. She has previously worked with the famous 70s group Odyssey and the band, Apart From Rod, featuring 3 of Rod Stewart's original band members - Jim Cregan, Robin LeMesurier and Gary Grainger and recently had a successful overseas tour were she shared the stage with some of the UK's top cabaret artists including Andy Abrahams of X Factor fame. . Her love of jazz funk fusion led her to recreate these timeless classics in the form of Spiral.
Adrian Fry - Trombone
Adrian is a gifted musician, arranger and composer and on many ocassions has been nominated for a British Jazz Award. He has performed with many British bands including Back to Basie, Frank Griffith Nonet & Big Band, Elio Pace, Karen Sharp Quintet, Stan Tracey Big Band, Michael Garrick Big Band, Don Weller Electric Octet & Big Band, the Pasadena Roof Orchestra, Bone Supremacy and Pete Cater's Ministry of Jazz. His credits as a session musician include Albert Lee, Incognito, Katrina Leskanich and Shakin' Stevens. In 2010 he was Assistant Musical Director on BBC Radio 2's Weekend Wogan.
Andy Daniels - Rhodes/Piano
As a pianist Andrew has worked with a long list of musicians including Mornington Lockett, Spike Robinson, Dave O’Higgins, John Etheridge, Pete Wareham, Clark Tracey and with bands as diverse as the Dick Heckstall-Smith Sextet, funk group The Jazz Terrorists and the Mingus tribute group, On The Corner. He has performed at the Royal Festival Hall, The Barbican, The Jazz Café and The Vortex among many other venues. As a composer Andrew’s music has been heard in different forms all over the world. His scores have been featured at music and film festivals in Los Angeles, New York, London and France among others. His award winning compositions for contemporary ensembles have been performed by the London Sinfonietta, Ensemble Firebird, The Balanescu Quartet and he has been a featured composer on BBC Radio 3’s ‘Hear and Now’.
As a professional Jazz pianist Andy has performed and toured in the UK and abroad with many different artists and ensembles as well as radio performances and recordings. As a composer he has been commissioned by TV and independent film companies in the UK and the US, and my music has been performed by groups and ensembles such as the London Sinfonietta at concerts in London and on BBC Radio 3. He has over 20 years experience in teaching and is the Jazz piano teacher for the University of Southampton, covering jazz theory, improvisation, harmony and stylistic ideas. He also teaches composition, arranging and orchestration, either in conjunction with jazz studies, or on its own, with stylistic concerns from classical to contemporary music.
Neil Burns - Guitar
Scottish guitarist Neil Burns has been immersed in the South West jazz scene for many years.He has performed all over Europe and is a regular collaborator with some of the UK’s Top Jazz musicians. These include – Guitar legend Jim Mullen, Vibraphonist Roger Beaujolais, Jacqui Dankworth, Zoe Rahman, Simon Spillett, Dave Newton, Mark Bassey, Bobby Wellins, Greg Abate and the Haggis Horns, to name a few.
Joseph Limburn - Electric Bass & Double Bass
Joe is a professional jazz bassist, having studied for a short time at the Royal Academy, and has played with various jazz artists over the years including Louis Stewart, Ian Shaw, Jackie Hicks, Art Themen, Dave Newton and French multi instrumentalist Jef Sicard. He continues to perform with great some great names and bands as well as performing in his own jazz trio.
Willian Torres Torres - Percussion
Willian moved to England from Brazil and left behind a legacy of wall to wall tours and gigs. Now in the UK his extraordinary talent gets its chance to shine again with Spiral. His great skill and rhythmic qualities make him an important and vital part of Spiral, adding some fantastic Brazilian beats!
Jan Evans - Drums
Jan started learning drums from a very early age and quickly made a name for himself, playing with local groups such as Street Level and Lemon Grove amongst others. From there he went on to play with other great artists and has performed all over the world at various venues including Ronnie Scotts.