The Emily Masser Quintet - Songs with my Father

Emily Masser, is a 21-year-old jazz singer from Wigan. A graduate of the prestigious Chetham’s School of Music, and studying at the Guildhall School of Music, Emily further gained the best possible jazz mentorship from her father, the hugely respected saxophonist Dean Masser.

"Emily Masser is one of the most original and distinctive musicians to emerge on the current British scene.” Jazz Wise

Emily has gained attention and approval from several jazz luminaries, with her breakthrough album, Introducing Emily Masser, showcasing her assured arrangements and vocals, and solidifying her reputation as a “new star of British jazz”.

Emily is joined by Dean on tenor saxophone and an all-star rhythm section with in-demand Hungarian pianist Matyas Gayer (Eddie Henderson, Scott Hamilton), thrilling bassist Jeremy Brown (Julian Joseph, BBC Big Band), and ultra-swinging drummer Steve Brown (Scott Hamilton, Barry Harris).

The band has recently recorded Songs With My Father, a gorgeous album dedicated to Emily’s late mother. The album features a mix of modern twists on jazz standards and also highlights Emily’s vocal approach to bebop.

"A burning talent.” London Jazz News

Band line-up:

Emily Masser – vocals

Dean Masser – tenor saxophone

Matyas Gayer – piano

Jeremy Brown – bass

Steve Brown – drums

More about the band

Dean Masser is an award-winning jazz saxophonist. He started his professional career as a member of the Jack Parnell Quartet, recording a live album during a week-long stint at Ronnie Scott’s shortly after graduating from Leeds College of Music as Saxophone Prize winner. He has played alongside many of the leading names in British jazz including Alan Barnes, Mark Nightingale, Gilad Atzmon, Martin Shaw, and Seb de Krom and in 2019 won the public vote for the British Jazz Awards' Tenor Saxophonist of the Year.

Matyas Gayer is an award-winning pianist. He has become a prominent part of the British jazz scene by forging his own style and voice through the use of the jazz piano tradition. A regular performer on the London and European jazz scene, Matyas has collaborated with greats of jazz including Eddie Henderson, Scott Hamilton, and Grant Stewart.

Jeremy Brown is Professor of Electric and Acoustic Bass at the Royal Academy of Music. A graduate himself of RAM in 1994 he went on to work in Peter King’s Quartet and pianist Julian Joseph’s Trio. Since then Jeremy has become much in demand in the UK and Europe as a backing soloists such as Charles Mcpherson, Deborah Brown and Curtis Stigers and working as the regular member of many groups including Blue Note Artist Stacey Kent, the BBC Big Band and the Anita Wardell quartet.

Steve Brown is a British jazz drummer from Manchester. His career began in the 1990s, and he has since worked with notable artists such as Scott Hamilton, Barry Harris, Alan Barnes and Dave Newton. Recognized with several prestigious awards notably he has won the British Jazz Award for Best Drummer multiple times, including in 2007, 2009, and 2013.

Wow. What a band, and what a night this will be.

Support

Our support act is The Marcus Bunton Quintet, being led by a young local trumpeter and pianist called Marcus Bunton. Marcus is studying at the nearby Purcell School and we’re delighted to enable him an opportunity to perform. You might have seen him playing keys in the latest series of C4's The Piano alongside Jon Batiste, but tonight he'll be on horn.

Support act line-up (expected):

Marcus Bunton – trumpet

Otto Jacovides – alto sax

Natty Purbrick – piano

Lucas Heath – bass

Samuel Justynski – drums

Information

Doors open from 7.00pm.

The 2.5-hour show starts at 7.30pm with our 20-minute support act followed by a brief interval.

The main act runs with 2 x45 minute sets starting around 8pm and at 9.15pm. We expect to finish by about 10.00pm including a second full interval of 30 minutes at 8.45pm.

Full bar available from 7.00pm and during both the intervals.

Free parking is available on site, and nearby in Century Retail Park (please check conditions of parking on arrival - usually 4 hours for free). The Pump House Theatre and Arts Centre is 4-minute walk from Watford High Street Overground Station.

Access

For disability access, please contact us at jazz@watfordjazzjunction.com to confirm a seat. We have 2 wheelchair friendly spaces available, each at the general admission rate of £27.50 with an additional carer's seat for free.