Kevin Grenfell – Trumpet / Trombone / Vocals
Kevin started his musical career as a boy with the Cornwall Youth Orchestra and brass bands in Cornwall.
With this firm grounding Kevin enlisted at the age of 18 as a musician in the Queen’s Own Hussars, Royal Amoured Corps and studied for 2 years at The Royal Military School of Music. On completion he returned to the QOH as principal trombone and featured soloist, which involved extensive touring and concert engagements all over Europe.
After leaving the army Kevin spent several years free-lancing in London before returning to the South-West for further study at the Dartington College of Arts where he obtained a B.A. in Music and the Performing Arts.
Since that time Kevin has become well-established and respected as both a trombonist and a vocalist in the UK and tours extensively across Europe with a wide variety of ensembles.
Richard Hughes – Keyboards / Vocals
Rich is a well established and versatile piano player on the music scene having worked with an impressive roster of renowned artists and established jazz musicians, including Alex Clarke, Greg Abate, Simon Spillett, B.D. Lenz, Ray Gelato.
His performances have taken him to some of the world’s most prestigious venues and festivals, including the Umbria Jazz Festival. Recent highlights as individuals include a live performance on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Woman’s Hour’ and performance at one of London’s premier jazz venues, Pizza Express.
Steve Street – Drums
At the age of ten Steve joined his local town brass band, then through his teenage years performed in school bands progressing to the county orchestra and brass band. Steve studied in London inspired by the teaching of Francis Seriau and Jim Chapin and the drumming of Gene Krupa, Roy Haynes, Buddy Rich and Elvin Jones who he opened for at Ronnie Scott’s. He joined the Jubilee Jazzmen and began touring in Europe; he recorded for the London jazz label Black Lion and UK’s Next Step label (along with Mike Green in GTS). As well as Hot Banana, Jeremy Huggett’s Cadillac Xpress, and Jeremy Huggett’s Jazz and Boogie Band; Steve is currently playing drums with Rich Hughes Fugue & Groove Trio, Soul Perfection, Sally Minchin and Andy Bole’s Fret and Fiddle, Ralph Allin and The Brian Newton Big Band.
Simon Smith – Bass
Simon Smith is an upright and electric bass player with over 25 years of professional experience. He grew up in the Midlands and is primarily a self-taught musician. After buying a bass to use on homemade 4-track recordings he gradually began to play with a wide variety of bands and singers on the local scene.
Since then, he has worked extensively as a freelance musician throughout the UK, Europe and the US, including a five year stint based in Los Angeles. Simon’s recording credits include Stevie Nicks, Sarah McLachlan, Wilson Phillips, Glen Ballard and Dave Stewart. Simon is currently a member of Jeremy Huggett’s Cadillac Xpress, and Jeremy Huggett’s Jazz and Boogie Band and Kevin Grenfell’s Jazz Giants
Howard Gregory – Guitar
Howard was born in Bath, Somerset. His musical career began when he played guitar with school friends. A couple of years later he started to play fiddle and was heavily influenced by the playing of Stephane Grappelli.
Inspired by visits to numerous concerts and music festivals (including the very first Glastonbury), he was soon playing gigs locally with rock bands ‘Inertia’, ‘Cirrus’ and ‘Institute’. And soon in demand with bands from other musical genres, including jazz, funk and western swing.
Howard has toured all over the UK Ireland and Europe, performing Blues and Boogie Woogie. In addition, he began playing fiddle with a Bluegrass band called ‘The Toyhearts’. He has performed numerous times at the TT and Manx GP races on the Isle of Man.
In 2018 he co-led a band with Singer Suzi Woods Playing Jazz, Latin and pop songs and is also a member of Jeremy Huggett’s Cadillac Xpress.
James Clemas – Piano
Pianist and Singer James Clemas performs regularly throughout the UK and abroad in a wide variety of styles including Jazz, Soul, Funk, Prog Rock, Country and Rock n Roll.
James graduated from Leeds College of Music in 2000 with a BA Hons Degree in Jazz Studies and moved to Devon to work regularly with his friend Jeremy Huggett. Over the last 25 years, James has become a much in-demand bandleader, soloist and sideman, performing alongside a host of popular artists/musicians including, Maggie Reeday, Pete Allen, his wife Hilda Clemas, Nick White, Greg Abate, Hawkwind, Martin Dale and more recently tribute act “I’m Every Whitney”.
James has performed on BBC Radio Devon, BBC television and Internet Radio.
James is also an experienced Piano Teacher with pupils ranging from 6 to 84 years young!