The London Jazz Festival presents a unique and exciting double bill featuring trumpeters Tom Stringer and Alex Polack!

Tom Stringer

Tom Stringer, a jazz trumpeter, composer, and arranger based in London, is in his third year at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. He has graced the stages of renowned venues like 'Pizza Express Live Jazz Club' and 'Vortex Jazz Club' with the 'National Youth Jazz Orchestra' (NYJO), and various Trinity Laban Big Bands.

His international performances include playing with NYJO in Berlin at the 'Young Euro Classic' festival in August 2024. Tom takes pleasure in leading his own bands and participating in numerous ensembles led by his colleagues.

Drawing inspiration from the expressive trumpet styles of Booker Little and Wynton Marsalis, and the compositional prowess of Thelonious Monk, Kenny Wheeler, and Duke Ellington, Tom aims to forge a distinctive sound and style in his improvisation and compositions, under the mentorship of esteemed tutors Byron Wallen and Steve Fishwick.

Tom is thrilled to return with his quintet to the Jazz Sanctuary, having sold out the venue the previous year during the EFG London Jazz Festival. He performed there as a sideman in two different bands on the same evening. His quintet is noted for its unique trumpet/euphonium frontline, offering an intriguing sound that stands out from more traditional jazz ensembles.

Alex Polack & Ibaia String Quartet

Hailing from Birmingham, Alexander Polack is a jazz trumpeter whose passion for the genre was nurtured through various local opportunities. These included the Birmingham Music Service, MYJO, The Notebenders Big Band, Jazzlines, and the junior jazz department at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where he studied under Mike Williams and Percy Pursglove. His recent graduation from Trinity Laban Conservatoire was made possible with support from the Fela Anikulapo-Kuti Scholarship.

Alexander draws inspiration from jazz legends like Clifford Brown, Roy Hargrove, and Miles Davis, as well as the string arrangements of Kenny Wheeler and Clare Fischer, which uniquely fuse classical and jazz elements.

The Ibaia String Quartet, consisting of Trinity Laban Conservatoire students and alumni, has graced stages nationwide, including Wigmore Hall and the Royal Naval College Chapel. With a foundation in classical training, the quartet is currently exploring the jazz domain, collaborating with jazz musicians to perform fresh compositions and arrangements at various UK festivals and venues.

Doors/DJ/Bar 19:15pm

Alex Polack 19:45pm

Tom Stringer Quintet 20:45pm