About St. Albans Jazz Ensemble

Ever since my dad introduced me to records as a young boy, I’ve loved Jazz music.

Over the years, I have also come to love many other forms of music, including Soul, House, and even Jungle/Drum and Bass. 

But it’s not just about the music itself; I also love building a community around the music that I’m passionate about.

I became increasingly frustrated with the lack of opportunities to play or, perhaps more appropriately, showcase Jazz.

The lack of venues that provide a space to perform this music was only part of the problem.

Jazz jam sessions (especially those in London) seemed to exist mainly to show off technical skills and were often intimidating to less experienced players.

Community Big Bands were excellent places to get together and build community. Yet they rarely attracted the pro players who could not commit to regular rehearsals (often with too few gigs in sight).

So, in 2010, I set up STAJE so amateur and pro players could get together and play with a clear goal: a concert performance.

This model of two rehearsals and a concert all in one week without regular weekly/monthly commitment has fuelled a unique culture of intense and exciting music-making, and this spirit has certainly had a profound impact on the audiences that have come to witness STAJE in concert.

I was also keen to provide an arena where new or unknown music could be showcased, so long as it works in a big band setting. 

STAJE has become a space where musicians and music lovers alike can come together and enjoy the very best of what the world of Jazz has to offer. It is also a place where a unique balance of well-loved classics and exciting new/unknown music can be performed side by side. The intensity of the short preparation period creates an exhilarating spontaneity for the players, and this in turn adds a level of excitement for the audience experience. 

The wide variety of styles means that there is something for everyone. STAJE is not just about playing Big Band music; its ethos is more about showing what a Big Band can do with a range of music.

From Jazz standards to swing charts, from ‘70s Film-Noire and Funk to Soul and Blues to Latin and Disco, and even live Drum and Bass, STAJE’s mission is to remind us how much there is to love about Jazz music.

Andy Baddaley | STAJE - Musical Director