Over a career stretching twenty-five years, multi-award-winning instrumentalist (BBC Jazz Awards, British Jazz Awards, Jazz Journal’s Album of The Year) tenor saxophonist Simon Spillett has cultivated a unique persona within British jazz. Leading both his own quartet and big band, and inspired by the classic Brit-bop of the 1950s and 1960s, his is a powerfully passionate style, its emphasis on straight-ahead jazz delighting audiences who like their music hard swinging, heartfelt and entertaining.
Popular across the entire spectrum of the UK scene, from Ronnie Scott’s club to major festivals (the EFG London Jazz Festival), Simon’s communicative performances are a roller-coaster ride encompassing everything from high energy bebop to lyrical balladry, the whole tied together by his signature dryly witty stage presence. And he’s not only a gifted instrumentalist and band leader; he’s also become a champion of the music in all manner of ways, including writing a major biography of legendary British saxophonist Tubby Hayes (‘The Long Shadow of The Little Giant’), penning hundreds of accompanying notes for vintage album reissues, contributing essays to many periodicals and latterly becoming the ‘go-to’ expert of UK post-war jazz, featured in film documentaries and radio series including Jazz FM’s ‘History of British Jazz’.
“Straight-ahead, high energy jazz is his line and he does it with aplomb” – The Guardian
Music starts at 8pm, with doors and bar open from 7.30pm.
You may UNSUBSCRIBE at ANY time via the link contained in every email we send out.
© 1960 - 2025 Barn Theatre Trust Limited, Barn Close, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL8 6ST
Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in London, No. 1604619 | Registered charity No. 284143
Privacy & Cookie Policy | Website designed, hosted and maintained by ZIC Media Limited
Do you have a question? Do you need help?
Feel free to contact us and we’ll be more than happy to answer your questions.
If you need to contact a specific department eg. Box Office, please select it from the dropdown list.
At the Barn we are committed to promoting equality and challenging discrimination in all its forms. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the cast and creative team, regardless of their race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity and will work to prevent any form of discrimination or harassment within our organisation.