Gaz Hughes first came to wider public attention as the original drummer in the Matthew Halsall Band and featured heavily on the early recordings of the Gondwana label. A particular highlight was recording the album “On The GO”, which won The Best Jazz Album of the Year in the Gilles Peterson Worldwide Awards 2012, and was nominated Best Jazz Album MOBO Awards, 2011. His drumming influences include the school of melodic drummers such as Max Roach, Alan Dawson, and Jeff Hamilton. Gaz is specifically inspired by the drummers that are able to spell out form and melody when they improvise. Gaz has recorded his first album as band leader. The album features the music of the late, great Art Blakey. “The album felt like a very natural decision,” says Gaz, who has appeared at The Grand as a session player for a range of different artists and groups. from www.thegrandvenue.co.uk
