10-by-2 with Nathan Bray

​​Nathan Bray has been a professional musician for over 25 years working as a lead trumpeter, jazz soloist, writer and as an educator. Currently playing lead trumpet for Guy Barker’s jazz orchestra and with Pete Long’s various outfits including the Ronnie Scott Big Band, Echo’s of Ellington and The Benny Goodman show. Performing regularly in the West End for the last 13 years and recently finished playing in the pit orchestra for the hit show Sweeney Todd.

In the pop world he has recorded and performed live with artists as diverse as Paloma Faith, Will Young, Shirley Bassey, Jimmy Sommerville and Tim Minchin, most recently performing at a fantastic sell-out concert at the O2 for Paloma Faith.

Nathan had the privilege of working with many great British orchestras including the BBC’s Concert and Philharmonic Orchestra and the Northern Symphonia, playing at the Albert Hall Proms, and on many TV and radio broadcasts.

He was the winner of the Yorkshire TV jazz soloist prizes and also the Kenny Baker soloist prize in his 20’s and is regularly seen guesting in jazz groups up and down the country.

Thrilled to working with Nathan on this date are slick guitar/bass duo 10-by-2.

Steve Rodda plays guitar with Stray’s house band PRS. We first met Steve when he introduced us to his long time side man John Illingworth and their guitar duo Double Take at our jazz and tapas nights back in 2010. Massively talented, Steve has been part of the bigger lineup of Nottingham-based Decent Chaps, has played too many festivals to note and has an ongoing project called Trio Des Chordes, accompanied by Double Bass and Violin, playing Gypsy Jazz.

The second half of 10-by-2 is Stray’s co-owner Mat Short on bass guitar. Mat originally played saxophone under the tutelage of hardcore avant garde proponent Jan Kopinski, followed by jazz theory studies with Trumpeter Nathan Bray. When Mat’s father passed away back in 2015, Mat decided to play the Fender Jazz bass that was left behind by his late dad – he’s since sold his saxophone and has turned to the dark side. Influences are far and wide, from Ellington and Guy Barker, through to the studio work of Hidden Orchestra and of course, the svelte sounds of Steely Dan.

No tickets needed for this one, but it’s definitely worth reserving a table if you want to watch this one!