Ferg's Imaginary Big Band: Live at Ronnie Scott's

At the end of a lively and exuberant performance that filled the stage with musicians and the air with very real performances, Leeds-based Fergus Quill's Imaginary Big Band spilled out onto Frith Street and blasted passers-by and fine diners with their experimental arrangements.

Frith Street comes to life

Led by bandleader and bassist Fergus Quill, this disparate group of young musicians performs arrangements of tunes, free improvisations and a plethora of compositions by Quill and other members of the band. Although I was aware of Quill's work - he won the Musicians’ Company 2022 Tina May Jazz Award - I only found out about the Ronnie Scott's gig by chatting with pianist and composer Nico Widdowson in Watford last week. Widdowson won the Tina May award in 2024.

This is no ordinary big band. There's no Glenn Miller or Billy Strayhorn. And that's OK. Because there's plenty of Quill and Widdowson: this is music of the 21st century with a VERY big band - six saxes, 12 brass including trumpets of different shapes and sizes and trombones, plus drums, percussion, bass, guitar, two keyboards and four singers. Plus a selection of more unusual instruments that were hidden at the back: Ronnie's was full to the rafters and the sound was extraordinary.

There is more than a nod to the Sun Ra Arkestra and the influences from Ellington and Mingus are strong, but there's a punk aesthetic and energy that is unbridled.

If you're fortunate enough to be attending Love Supreme Festival in July, Ferg's Imaginary Big Band will be there, too. In any case, check them out when they come to a venue near you.

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Hilary Seabrook - writer, podcaster, musician

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