Hastings Jazz Festival Presents Simon Spillett Quartet — 30th Anniversary Tour-2:45 PM

2026 marks 30 years of tenor saxophonist Simon Spillett on the UK jazz scene — a milestone he celebrates with his powerhouse quartet featuring Pete Billington (piano), Jeremy Brown (bass) and Pete Cater (drums). Known for his high-energy, straight-ahead playing and razor-sharp wit, Simon has become one of Britain’s most prominent jazz figures, selling out major clubs including Ronnie Scott’s and appearing at virtually every leading UK festival, including the EFG London Jazz Festival.

The quartet dives deep into the classic Brit-Bop sound of Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Scott and the 1950s/60s Soho era — hard-swinging, unapologetic modern jazz with sharp tunes, tight suits and no punches pulled. It’s the music Simon is best known for, delivered with the authority of a musician who has spent three decades championing this tradition.

A multi-award-winning artist — BBC Rising Star (2007), Jazz Journal Album of the Year (2008), British Jazz Awards Top Tenor Saxophone (2011) and Services to British Jazz (2016) — Simon has released five acclaimed albums, with his big band debut ‘Dear Tubby H.’ earning a five-star review in Jazzwise. His forthcoming new album, recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, marks another major step in his recording career.

Beyond performing, Simon is a charismatic communicator and one of the UK’s leading jazz historians, author of the acclaimed Tubby Hayes biography The Long Shadow of The Little Giant, contributor to Jazzwise and Record Collector, and a regular voice on BBC and Jazz FM documentaries.

Show: 2.45pm
Venue: Barnaby’s Lounge
Address: 46 Robertson Street
Tickets must be purchased in advance, due to capacity.