Bangers & Mashups

The band consists of Ben on alto and soprano saxophones, Greg on Tenor Saxophone, Alex on Baritone Saxophone and Rob on portable, customised drum kit.

Together and individually they have played at venues such as the O2, NIA Birmingham, the Royal Albert Hall, the Union Chapel, the Southbank Centre, main stages at Shambala, Bestival, and Boomtown festivals, and have performed with artists such as Beverley Knight, Lee Ryan and Beardyman.

Bangers & Mashups' explosive performances will leave you always wanting just that.

Greg – tenor sax

Greg graduated from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance with a Bmus Hons in jazz saxophone. Prior to this, he studied at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester on classical clarinet and jazz saxophone.

Greg has been working as a musician for over six years in London, during which time he has performed in an exciting range of ensembles spanning all manner of genres, including the Chaos Orchestra as part of the Chaos Collective, the Matt Robert’s big band, Stompy’s Playground, Barnacles and many more.

He frequently appears at renowned venues, including Ronnie Scott’s, The Vortex jazz club and The Radio One Big Weekender. Greg also regularly features on the popular music scene and has worked with artists such as Jamie Cullum and Ronan Keating, as well as working with many function bands across the U.K. and co-managing The Prototypes Music.

Greg is also an avid arranger, writing and arranging for a wide array of ensembles currently on the musical scene.

Alex – baritone sax

Alex started learning saxophone at the age of 8. Having been inspired early on by late greats of jazz such as Art Pepper, Lester Young and Chet Baker, he has since progressed to becoming a graduate of London's prestigious Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music, led by world-renowned musicians.

Since graduating, Alex now freelances all over South East England and has been lucky enough to perform with many of London's top musicians on the UK scene featuring an eclectic mix of jazz, pop and DJ at venues such as The Piano Works, Park Chinois and The Jazz Cafe.

Alex is the resident saxophonist in club Thirty3Hz in Guildford and regularly performs at 'The Piano Works' in Farringdon. He featured on the album of Niji Adeleye ('Better Days Ahead'), and Natalie May's EP, 'Neo Deco'. Most recently, he has completed a 2-month tour of Germany with 'The Definitive Rat Pack', playing tenor saxophone and clarinet.

Rob – percussion

Rob grew up in South London and studied drum kit and percussion at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance where his teachers included Michael Doran, David Wickins, Roger Beaujolais, Barak Schmool, Dawson Miller, Guy Harries, and Gary Kettel.

He has worked with artists and bands including Wendy James (Transvision Vamp), Isabella Summers (Florence And The Machine), Talk In Colour, Diane Charlemagne (Goldie, Netsky, S.P.Y), London Contemporary Voices, Dionne Bennett (Slowly Rolling Camera), and Mullaha.

Rob splits his time between freelance and session work, and running a unique ensemble; Stompy's Playground. He has performed at the Royal Festival Hall, The Southbank Centre, The Union Chapel, and festivals including Wilderness, Boomtown, Bestival, and Hop Farm.

Ben – alto sax

Ben began playing the Saxophone (as a second instrument) at the tender age of 8, whilst attending the British School of Paris.

On returning to the UK, he joined his local music centre and progressed through the ensembles until he reached lead Alto in the most accomplished big band in the area- the Aylesbury Music Centre (AMC) Big band run by Nick Care.

With the AMC he had the opportunity to play at the Royal Albert Hall, O2 Arena, Birmingham National Indoor Arena, Queen Elizabeth Hall and at the North Sea Jazz Festival with such artists as Peter King, Kenny Wheeler, Johnny Dankworth, Anita Wardell, Norma Winstone, Frank Mantooth and Mark Nightingale to name just a few.

Ben attended the Junior Department at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama from ages 12 to 16 afterwards graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with 1st Class Honours.

In November 2014 he gained a Masters in Jazz Performance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London. Now gigging around the London, Cardiff and Leighton Buzzard areas.