Venue: St Mary's Battersea

Date: Friday 27th February (Doors open at 7:30pm; Music starts at 8pm)

Jazz at St Mary's is honoured to be welcoming one of the biggest living legends in jazz today, the one and only Jerry Weldon, from New York City. The veteran tenor sax man will be joined by Alex Garnett, one of the finest saxophonists in British jazz history, in a night of high-octane, swinging jazz, which will feature compositions by some of the foremost sax players in jazz folklore. They will be backed by a rhythm section of some of the finest talent in London, featuring drummer Mark Taylor.

Veteran sax man Jerry Weldon, has been on the jazz scene for more than 40 years. Jerry, a native New Yorker, joined Lionel Hampton’s Orchestra in 1981 upon graduating from Rutgers Jazz Program. In 1990, Weldon became a charter member and featured soloist in Harry Connick Jr.'s newly formed big band and was seen daily on Connick’s daytime television program, HARRY. During his tenure with Hampton & Connick, Jerry toured extensively in the U.S. and Canada, as well as Europe, Asia, Australia and appeared on dozens of television programs. In addition to his own band, Weldon has worked, toured and recorded with a host of jazz greats including: Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, Joey DeFrancesco, George Cables, Jimmy Cobb, Roy Haynes, George Benson, Earl Klugh and Mel Tormé. With more sideman sides than he can count and eleven CD’s as a leader, Jerry’s latest recording, "The Summit", is a perfect flavour of his infectious energy and deep understanding of jazz language.

Alex Garnett has been one of the leading saxophonists in the UK and Mainland Europe for over two decades, being instantly recognized by his dark, husky sound. A versatile musician and first call sideman, he has enjoyed success as both a jazz artist, composer and arranger, and an in demand session, studio and commercial saxophonist, having racked up countless recording credits along the way. He has performed in over 30 countries worldwide, with varied and diverse artists across the spectrum such as Sir John Dankworth, Wynton Marsalis, Pete King, Humphrey Littleton, Scott Hamilton, Van Morrison, Evan Parker and The Rolling Stones, as well as with his contemporaries Gareth Lockrane, Seamus Blake, Joel Frahm, and more.