30 years and counting, with Nathan Bray… FULLY BOOKED

​​Nathan Bray has been a professional musician for over 30 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.

3o years and counting sees Nathan taking us on a musical journey, sharing highlights of his colourful career. He’ll be playing some of his favourite tunes and recounting who he performed those tunes with!

Nathan is joined by The Rachael Johnson Trio

Pianist, composer and arranger Rachael Johnson heads up this trio – her style can be described as a Jazz/funk/hip-hop mix and her main influences are Jazz giants Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove and Monty Alexander.

Drummer Si Potts resume is a name-droppers paradise, playing with artists like Stacey Kent, Jamie Cullum and Digby Fairweather, not to mention his time working as a session drummer for the BBC. He has a massive range of styles at his finger tips,  arguably he’s best playing Latin and swing, but annoyingly capable in any genre.

Stray’s co-owner Mat Short is 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.