IAN SHAW, POLLY GIBBONS & JAMES PEARSON
World -Class Contemporary British Jazz Giants
Three powerhouses of the UK British Jazz scene join forces to bring you a truly unforgettable show with the UK’s number one and multi -award winning jazz singer Ian Shaw, Polly Gibbons, twice-nominated as "Best Jazz Vocalist" by the BBC and Jazz FM and James Pearson, Artistic Director, pianist and composer at the world – famous Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in London.
Ian Shaw
Ian Shaw is one of the most recognisable names on the UK jazz scene, performing in the UK and worldwide both solo and in collaboration with an array of first-class musicians and ensembles.
His career of over thirty-five years encompasses not only music but also broadcasting, comedy and acting. “The leading male jazz singer of his generation in the UK” (Jazzwise,2008), Ian delivers “shades of Mark Murphy and Jon Hendricks, artists in whose company Shaw very much belongs.” (All About Jazz, 2025)
Ian is the recipient of two BBC Jazz Awards and a Parliamentary Jazz Award.
Polly Gibbons
Polly Gibbons has forged a successful career on the international jazz circuit spanning two decades. Polly has been twice-nominated as "Best Jazz Vocalist" by the BBC and Jazz FM and compared to a female version of Gregory Porter by US magazine Downbeat.
While an accomplished jazz artist, Polly’s musical influences as a vocalist and composer began in childhood with roots in blues, soul, gospel, and R&B - so much so that The Sunday Times described her jazz vocals as “vintage R&B with shades of Aretha Franklin”. Straight out of rural Suffolk, Polly arrived onto the London jazz scene at age 17, surprising audiences with her raw talent.
"Polly Gibbons is unmistakably a class act" - The Guardian
James Pearson
James Pearson is a pianist, composer, and creative tour de force.
He is the Artistic Director at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club where his trio are the house band.
James is one of the countries most respected musicians. His work covers all genres of music, especially contemporary music, jazz and classical.
He graduated from the Guildhall School, having completed his degree and the Advanced Solo Studies Course. Whilst at college he studied with Robert Saxton, Francis Shaw, Peter Bithell, and James Gibb. He regularly performed with the symphony orchestra, including a concert at the Barbican with Takemitzu.
James has broadcast on all the major radio and television networks. Classic F.M broadcast his concert of Rachmaninoff’s 2nd piano concerto, and BBC Radio 2 broadcast his performance of the Gershwin Piano Concerto and Rhapsody in Blue.
He was the pianist in the Steve Martland band and his work as a jazz musician has taken him all over the world.
IAN SHAW, POLLY GIBBONS & JAMES PEARSON
24 Aug 2025 14:00 - 17:00
Powerhouse Trio Of Contemporary British Jazz At St Mary's Church