10-BY-2

10-by-2 are a duo of 6 string guitar and 4-string electric bass.

Steve Rodda picked up his first guitar in 1976 (we know, he doesn’t look old enough!) and has been playing jazz gigs since the late nineties, with strong Django Reinhardt influences apparent in his sound.

Having been previously picked up by a record label in the 80’s playing jazz, blues and ska, Steve went off to “get a proper” job – but over the last 20+ years has become a mainstream name on the Midlands jazz circuit, known best for his work with Alan Walker’s Decent Chaps and also with John Illingworth in their guitar duo Double Take.

He has also just completed recording Trio de Cordes →, which is a gypsy jazz style trio of guitar, double bass and violin.

Playing 4-string electric bass is Mat Short. Co-founder of Stray’s, Mat started playing bass a mere 8 years ago. After initially studying improvisation as a saxophonist under the watchful eye of Jan Kopinski and later studying musical theory with Nathan Bray, Mat turned to the bass guitar, after being left a Fender Jazz bass guitar by his late father. Mat decided it would be a fitting tribute to his dad, also a bassist, and took up learning to play – a journey which he is relishing every passing week.

Mat plays with most of the various line-ups at Stray’s, as well as enjoying a couple of residencies at the Pelican Club in Notts and Louth Jazz Club.

Together 10-by-2 take jazz, blues and big band tunes, strip them back and play both upbeat or laid back versions for your enjoyment…