Josh Bailey trio

Enthralling pianist Josh, who turned 18 last month, has just started his first year on the jazz degree at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire this autumn – a year early, given his precocious talent – but has already made his name on the local scene, appearing at Symphony Hall’s Jennifer Blackwell Space, at Peggy’s Skylight in Nottingham. Just last month, his group supported US jazz saxophone giant Tim Berne at the Conservatoire.

Josh is a newcomer to jazz composition but comes armed with fresh takes on the Great American Songbook and influences including Keith Jarrett, McCoy Tyner, Mulgrew Miller, Shai Maestro, Sultan Stevenson, Pablo Held and Kit Downes. He is promising to bring some of his recently composed originals, displaying his fertile imagination and improvising chops.

Brought up in Hall Green and now based in Solihull, he is in his fourth year playing jazz, having become hooked while developing a blues tune in Year 8 of his GCSE music course, forming his own trio on the spot. Having imbibed the genius of Oscar Peterson early on, he went on to join the Birmingham Junior Conservatoire while absorbing the music of Brad Mehldau and others.

Outstanding instrumentalists Casper and Isla are comparative veterans, having just started their second year on the Conservatoire degree. We expect a busy one, so do get in early for your tickets!