Steve Waterman trumpet, flugelhorn.
George Haslam baritone saxophone.
Steve Kershaw double bass
Robin Jones drums, percussion.

The music of the new GHQ comprises “jazz standards” ~ some less familiar than others ~ presented afresh through Haslam’s imaginative arrangements. Creating an original performance of established and well performed songs offers a great challenge to the arranger, a challenge calling for a searching choice of the right material, an intimate understanding of the musicians … and conception.

The song maybe one the arranger has used for many years but suddenly inspired by a startling new arrangement – such as ‘It’s only a paper moon’ given a completely new identity as a ‘St Thomas’ style jazz calypso, or a stranger to the jazz repertoire appearing in a new guise – the ballad ‘I’ve never been in love before’ from Guys and Dolls sounding so good as a jazz waltz it’s difficult to believe it was ever anything else.

The choice of musicians may not be difficult – what is difficult is assembling such in demand artists. Haslam’s quartet brings together three of the greatest musicians he has worked with over the years.

Photos by Simon Murison-Bowie and Irmgard Hüppe


Steve Waterman must be anyone’s choice of high energy, inventive but always in complete control jazz trumpet.