Studio Jazz: Simon Spillett Quartet

Simon Spillett returns to Lighthouse after a few years absence with his Quartet featuring Pete Billington (piano), Alec Dankworth (bass) and Pete Cater (drums).  

The group focuses on the classic Brit-bop jazz sounds of 1950s and 60s Soho, featuring compositions by and/or associated with the legendary Tubby Hayes, arguably the UK’s most fondly recalled jazz icon.  

Their latest album ‘Up In Town’ (Mister PC Records) has received widespread praise, garnering a fulsome review in ‘Jazzwise’ magazine.  

2026 marks a milestone anniversary for tenor saxophonist and bandleader Simon Spillett; 30 years on the UK jazz scene. Since his debut in the 1990s, he has risen to become one of Britain’s most prominent jazz figures. An instrumentalist with a powerful, straight-ahead style, drawing on the best of the jazz tradition and in particular the inspiration of an illustrious forebear, the late great Tubby Hayes, he has played sold out gigs at the best jazz clubs (Ronnie Scott’s) and at virtually every festival of consequence (including the EFG London Jazz Festival) with both his regular quartet and his star-studded big band.   

As a recording artist Simon had released five well-regarded albums, with his big band debut CD ‘Dear Tubby H’ (2023) garnering a much deserved five star award in ‘Jazzwise’ magazine.  

He’s also picked up a clutch of awards; BBC Rising Star (2007), Album of the Year (‘Jazz Journal’ 2008), Top Tenor Saxophone (British Jazz Awards 2011) and ‘Services to British Jazz’ (2016).  

A charismatic performer, gifted with a dry observational wit, Simon’s never lost sight of the fact that jazz is entertainment as much as art and whether playing, writing or articulately holding forth on his favourite subject – UK jazz history – he’s an infectiously passionate communicator. Indeed, between playing, he has found time to pen a widely-praised biography of Tubby Hayes (‘The Long Shadow of The Little Giant’), write sleeve notes to over 150 albums, contribute articles to magazines including ‘Jazzwise’ and ‘Record Collector’ and act as an anchor interviewee on documentaries for the BBC and Jazz FM.   

As for the rest of the band, Alec Dankworth is one of the finest British bassists, as well as a member of the most famous British jazz families. He’s played with true jazz superstars, including Dave Brubeck, Dick Morrissey, Jean Toussaint, Abdullah Ibrahim and many more, as well as leading and recording with his own bands. Ditto Pete Cater, one of the finest big band players around, who cut his teeth with the likes of Benny Carter, Barney Kessell, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Nat Pierce, Teddy Edwards, Ronnie Scott, Humphrey Lyttelton, Glen Miller Orchestra and John Dankworth. The Pete Big Band, his own outfit, recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. Pianist Pete Billington has been described as one of the UK jazz scene’s ‘well kept secrets’. A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, guitar, bass and viola to an astonishingly high standard and is a gifted and lucid improviser. He has made several albums with rising star Fleur Stevenson. 

Simon Spillett – Saxophone 

Pete Billington – Piano 

Alec Dankworth – Bass 

Pete Cater – Drums