Welcome back to Ian Bateman on Trombone at Googlies.

Ian marked an incredible milestone in January 2025, celebrating 48 years as a professional musician. His career transformed in 2003 when he joined Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band, establishing Ian as a leading figure in British jazz. Today, Ian presents his own acclaimed jazz performances with various ensembles and his own orchestra. Nearly five decades of musical excellence.

We're delighted to welcome back Liverpool-born saxophonist Tim Whitehead, one of Britain's most thoughtful composers and improvisers. Tim plays soprano, alto and tenor saxophone, plus flute, with what The Times describes as "a sense of grace and economy."

We're thrilled to welcome back vibraphone virtuoso Anthony Kerr, widely regarded as one of the most exciting vibes players in British jazz today.

Born in Belfast, Anthony studied at the Belfast School of Music before moving to New York in the mid-1980s to study with David Friedman and Kenny Werner. He won a scholarship to the New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music in 1987, launching a stellar international career.

We're delighted to welcome back award-winning clarinettist Julian Marc Stringle, hailed by Sir John Dankworth as "the best clarinet player to emerge in British jazz for several decades."

Julian started as a child prodigy reed player. He studied at the Latymer Music School and London College of Music, learning clarinet with Wilf Keeley and composition with William Lloyd Webber. He made his TV debut with Acker Bilk at just 14, leading his teenage Dixieland band "Young Jazz." At 17, he formed a modern jazz quintet and toured Europe.

We're pleased to welcome back rising trumpet and flugelhorn talent Marco Natale-Miles, a versatile player making his mark on the jazz scene.

Marco is an alumnus of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO), which he joined at age 13 and remained involved with throughout his development. He studied at prestigious institutions including the Purcell School, the Royal Academy of Music Junior Jazz department, and graduated from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.