Other Gigs Featuring Simon Bates

Simon is very busy with private gigs and sessions, but here are a selection you can come to

Simon Bates Organ Trio & Harry Greene

On Monday 20th December, 8pm at The Kings Head, Bexley we present The Simon Bates Organ Trio with talented young guitarist and saxophonist Harry Greene. The gig also features the incredible Pete Whittaker on Organ, Elliott Henshaw on Drums and Simon Bates on Saxophones.

The repertoire mainly comes from the 1950s and 60s Blue Note era, with music from artists such as Jimmy Smith, Stanley Turrentine and Lou Donaldson, and is guaranteed to get your feet tapping and your mouth smiling. The band will also be premiering some of Simon’s original tunes! Members of the band have worked with Kylie, Elvis Costello, Shirley Bassey and Phil Collins. With a pedigree like that, classy music is assured.

Fred Woods Big Band

On the first Wednesday of every month, Freddy Woods Big Band squeeze into a room at Horsham Cricket Club for a night’s entertainment that has been called ‘Horsham’s best kept musical secret’. Expect to hear some of the classics from Basie and Ellington alongside arrangements of tunes by Benny Golson, John Coltrane and many others including a multitude of original arrangements by Fred Woods himself. Entry is free with donations. You'll often see Simon on lead tenor playing with this great local outfit. Hope to see you there!

Simon's Gig Archive...

Here are some of the gigs Simon has performed recently.

The Drawtones

The Drawtones are a top class jazz, funk and soul band.
They’ve appeared at many leading jazz venues and festivals including Ronnie Scott’s on several occasions.
Line up:
Rod Pooley - Keyboards
Simon Bates - Saxophone
Andy Williams - Guitar
Daniel Dotor - Bass
Jessica Dann - Drums
Tapas can be ordered on the night as an optional extra.
Licensed Bar throughout the evening. Disabled access and facilities.

Simon Bates / Chris Dean and Guests

Simon Bates presents live jazz at the Ship & Castle, 1 The Hard, Portsmouth, PO1 3PU.

The band features an all star line-up of Simon on Saxophones, Chris Dean on Trombone and Vocals, Sally Creedon on Vocals, Bill Mudge on Piano, Dan Sheppard on Bass and Bobby Worth on Drums. There will be some special guest appearances and the chance, should you wish, to sit in with some of the finest UK jazz musicians - Bring your instrument!

The music kicks off around 8.30pm and it's FREE!

Zappatistas

Acclaimed guitarist John Etheridge brings this long established and hugely popular band to Pizza Express for a rare London appearance. Gigs by this band are uncommon and each one is a riotous celebration of the fabulous music of the late Frank Zappa, played by a band of some of the great names of British music. Originally formed in 1998, for an Arts Council show, the band went down so well that a long tour was undertaken, and they have stayed together to this day. Everybody who hears this show is struck by the vitality of the music and the performance. John is joined by Steve Lodder (keys), Annie Whitehead (tbn), Shanti Jayasinha (tpt), Simon Bates (sax), Rob Statham (bs), Mike Bradley (drs).

Natasha Watts Band

Natasha Watts burst onto the UK Soul music scene back in 2009 with her first collaboration with Coolmillion with a track called ‘Show me’. This track was to become a firm favourite within the UK Soul music scene and subsequently set the foundations for Natasha’s success and journey in becoming a well-respected UK artist.
Natasha has written and released well over 100 tracks to date, She constantly strives to provide the audience and her followers with better songs and better performances – doing so brings her great joy.
Natasha lives to be on the stage and without a doubt, she was Born to be a Star!
Her band includes Tony Remy on Guitar, Simon Bates on Saxes and Nick Cohen on Bass.

Vince Dunn's Medicine Band

Vince Dunn leads his critically acclaimed soul jazz outfit ‘The Medicine Band’ with a stellar line-up of first class musicians. Individually they have played on some of the worlds most prestigious stages alongside some of the biggest names in the music industry. Collectively they have continuously delivered unparalleled live performances that have consistently sold out venues all around the country, making ‘The Medicine Band’ on of the most sought after soul jazz bands in the UK.
the band features Simon Bates – Saxes, Chris Jerome – Piano, Neville Malcolm – Bass, Vince Dunn – Drums