Ashley Slater: Merry Jazzmas!
I'm breaking the habit of a lifetime and mentioning the 'C' word in November - only because singer, composer and trombonist Ashley Slater is a good friend and he's produced the album that you need for every gathering you're planning over Christmas. This album has been a closely-guarded secret throughout 2024, with Ashley barely mentioning it more than once a week across social media. Now that's it's finally arrived in your listening ears, you're going to love Merry Jazzmas ! Featuring a bevy of brilliant musicians, every track was crafted by the witty Mr Slater (listen out for "One and one makes true") and the arrangements show them all at their finest. There's Gary Alesbrook (trumpet), Iain Ballamy (sax) Mark Edwards (piano), Mark Fletcher (drummer), Jamie McCredie (guitar and vocals) and Mark Preston (guitar). Ashley has always been a self-deprecating and amusing musician and human being. He's worked with some of the big names includi