The Old Avengers

Mark Roadnight-Guitar/Vox Mark began playing the guitar at age 12, and has been playing the guitar professionally since 1990. He spent 5 years playing full time with various bands performing all over the country but decided to concentrate on teaching, songwriting and session playing when his first child was born. In addition to teaching acoustic, electric and bass guitar, Mark has entered over 200 students to date through the RGT (Registry of Guitar Tutors) exam syllabus, again with exceptional pass rates. Mark gives his expertise to solo artists who want to improve their overall performance technique as well as helping them with song writing. He also assists in the preparation of audition pieces and in recording demo tracks for college and university entrants. Mark also song writes and produces with major label artists on a freelance basis. Dan Edwards-Keys Dan is a freelance keyboard player and tutor working out of London, England. He is active in the Jazz and retro Rhythm and Blues scenes, and has played gigs and festivals all over the UK, Europe and Ireland. His TV and radio work include 'The Late Late Show' RTE1 hosted by Pat Kenny, 'The Paul Jones BBC radio 2 Blues Show' as part of The Bluesfest at the Royal Albert Hall and BBC radio Foyle as part of The Derry Jazz festival. Some of the Artists Dan has has the pleasure of working alongside include Big Boy Bloater and the Limits, Paloma Faith, Young Jessie, Roddy Jackson and Bobby Brooks-Wilson (Jackie Wilsons Son). Roger Evan - Keys Roger has been playing Jazz, pop and classical piano for many years both as a solo artist, in small jazz ensembles and larger function bands. While playing many styles, his true love is for jazz, soul and funk, - with many gigs played on Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer EP200 and Hohner D6 Clavinet. A music graduate of the Surrey University Tonmeister course, he also continues to teach both the technical and artistic components of music composition, improvisation and recording. As well as many gigs in regular bands and as a freelance session musician, Roger has played alongside artists including Carleen Anderson, Pee Wee Ellis, and Marcella Detroit. Mark Wilson-Sax Mark started playing at the age of 12 and started properly playing in bands when he went to university in Sheffield. There he played in several bands ranging from jazz, rock, soul and funk. On graduation Mark moved to London where he formed 'funk force 5' some 18 years ago. The 5 piece band played mostly funk instrumentals and over the years grew into the 10 piece funk band 'the live45s' covering tunes from Maceo Parker, James Brown, James Taylor Quartet, Lyn Collins, Brand New Heavies and many more. Mark's main influences on saxophone are Maceo Parker and Cannonball Adderley amongst many others. David Mcleod-Bass David began playing the piano at age 6, and has been playing the bass professionally since 1989. He studied for 7 years at the school of renowned bassist, composer & tutor Joe Hubbard and it was at Joe's school that he was award the title of Bass Player of the Year. Having written music for short film & TV, his time now is divided between a number of projects: Since 1989 he has been the Musical Director of Living Word Christian Fellowship. Other projects range from production work (Word of Mouth Music), working with vocalists, ranging from beginners to professionals, playing bass with producer Ian Copeland Green, and bass duties with jazz groups; Timeline, The Kelvin Christiane Quartet and The Soul Jazz Collective, with whom he has enjoyed a residency at The Hare in East London. Russell Parker-Guitar Having started playing the guitar at the relatively late age of 14, Russ spent the next few years quickly gaining a mass of knowledge and experience of the instrument through playing, touring and recording before settling into a career of teaching. Playing in bands in and around the Croydon area before graduating to higher profile venues in central London, Russ also began working on Denmark Street; the country's spiritual home for the guitar since the 60's; while his band began to gain national recognition. This led to extensive touring in Europe and to Russ settling in Italy for a time where, he made his first steps in teaching. Since returning to the UK Russ has taught extensively both in schools and private practice and has been with South End Music School since 2003 and continued to play in bands around the South East. Mark Claydon-Drums A true ambassador of playing the groove, Mark Claydon is known in musician’s circles as the man to hire for the fattest beats in town. With an impressive and extensive CV including hit singles with Liberty X and regular work with The Getup, Lizzie Deane, and tours with Soul legend Sir Joe Quarterman and Gizelle Smith, his playing is in high demand. Specialising in old school Funk and Soul, Mark has years of live and studio experience and caters for a variety of demands, from Musicals to Break-beats, T.V Commercials to Classic Swing. Past performances include appearances on ITV, live sessions for BBC Radio, work with EMI Records, Virgin Records and Dreamworks Productions. His work has taken him to multiple countries across the world including Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Germany, Greece, Belgium and The Maldives. Mark uses and endorses Premier Drums, Impression Cymbals,Vater Drum Sticks, Protection Racket Cases and Lion Cajons. Matt Cowley – Drums Matt is widely recognised as a true roots music specialist (check out his Levon Helm inspired Guru drum kit!), but he has played & recorded with a hugely eclectic range of artists; from laying down deep shuffles with US Bluesmen Michael Roach & Johnny Mars, to grooving with R&B legend Jimmy Thomas (of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue); from laying down the backbeat for Chicago Divas Angela Brown & Deitra Farr, to swinging the groove for Dublin’s finest Imelda May; from the classic rock of guitar hero Bernie Marsden, to the sing along classics of the legendary Tony Christie; from the fat 2 and 4 of the UK indie scene of the late 90’s & early 00’s with Ambershades, Casino and The Lucas Group, to pounding a ride cymbal behind swing sensations King Pleasure & the Biscuit Boys; from playing tribute to Johnny Cash to getting low down greasy & as heavy as metal with Revcounter; from the contemporary R&B of Big Boy Bloater to TV appearances & festival headlines; from all manor of sessions to live radio broadcasts … about as eclectic as you can get really! Matt always loves the chance to indulge in his love for Blues, Jazz and Roots music and regularly finds himself in demand to play with some of the finest artists in this genre. Matt endorses Guru Drums, Istanbul Mehmet Cymbals, Los Cabos Drumsticks, Protection Racket Cases, Lion Cajons, Duallist Pedals & Aquarian Heads. Tristan Gaudion - Trumpet Tristan decided early in life to become a trumpet player and after completing his studies at music college he began teaching and performing in orchestras and theatres around the UK. Today he runs his own brass quintet as well as performing with various brass bands and orchestras. He still plays with many big bands around the capital and can regularly be seen on stage with some of London’s top session musicians. Tristan is also the trumpet player in top UK funk band The Getup, which has seen him perform in some of Europe’s biggest jazz venues such as the Jazz Café, Pizza Express and the Brooklyn Bowl. James Smith-Drums James is a freelance London based drummer and has been playing since age 8. He plays many styles of music, covering Funk, Soul/RnB, big band and small group Jazz, Rock/Pop, Drum & Bass, Drum Corps and anything else he can get his hands on! James has had the pleasure of working with Blue Note recording legend Reuben Wilson, UK Soul artists Sulene Fleming and Noel McKoy, Jazz great Pete Long, The Fantastics!, Box 9 Drumline and many more. James has appeared on recordings and live broadcasts for BBC Radio, Jazz FM, Freestyle Records and Imagem Production Music. Theatre work is also a regular feature for James, who has played on shows including Jesus Christ Superstar, Avenue Q, The Wedding Singer and others. Being involved with such a wide range of artists and music, James has travelled all over the UK and Europe, playing venues and events including The Montreux Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scotts, Pizza Express Jazz Club (Soho), Knebworth Park and on one strange occasion, The Royal Courts of Justice! 9 piece blues, jazz, funk band Steely Dan, The Meters, Stevie Wonder and Tower of Power