Emily Masser is a 20-year-old jazz singer and saxophonist from Wigan, currently at London’s Guildhall School of Music and making a name for herslef on the UK jazz scene.
Emily gained attention and encouragement from jazz luminaries Claire Martin and Liane Carroll and also, during the time she spent honing her craft in the Clark Tracey Quintet. Her breakthrough came as a member of The Clark Tracey Quintet, with the release of their acclaimed album, “Introducing Emily Masser” consisting of Emily’s arrangements and vocals, taking classic jazz standards such as “So Near So Far” and “The Man I Love” and making them sound newly minted and excitingly different. Her contributions to this album enhanced Emily’s presence on the scene and also garnered support from jazz media, marking her as a “New Star of British Jazz” (London Jazz News). Her performance on this recording draws on influences and inspirations such as Annie Ross, Betty Carter, and Sonny Stitt and has already picked up the attention of reviewers, magazines and radio broadcasters.
If the Masser name sounds familiar it is because she is the daughter of the respected saxophonist Dean Masser who is the sax player in her quintet along with veteran bassist Dave Green, Matyas Gayer on piano and Steve Brown drums.
Dean Masser started his professional career as a member of the Jack Parnell Quartet and recorded a live album during a week-long stint at Ronnie Scott’s shortly after graduating from Leeds College of Music as Saxophone Prize winner. Dean has been honoured to play and record alongside many of the leading names in British jazz, such as Alan Barnes, Mark Nightingale, Gilad Atzmon, Martin Shaw, Seb de Krom and Georgina Jackson. In 2019 he won the public vote in the Tenor Saxophone category in the British Jazz Awards.
Dave Green is a prominent British jazz bassist. His career took off in the 1960s, and he quickly became known for his versatile musicality. Green has played with jazz greats including, Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson, Art Blakey, and was a key member of the Don Rendell-Ian Carr Quintet. He has also performed with Humphrey Lyttelton and Ronnie Scott. With a career spanning over six decades, Green has been a frequent recipient of the British Jazz Award for Best Bassist, and the BBC Jazz Awards too.
London based, Hungarian jazz pianist, Matyas Gayer has become a prominent part of the British jazz scene by forging his own style and musical voice through the use of the jazz piano tradition. A regular performer on the London and European jazz scene, Matyas has collaborated with the greats of jazz such as Eddie Henderson, Scott Hamilton, Rick Margitza, Grant Stewart, amongst others. He was recently part of a live recording at Pizza Express, Soho with Don Branden, shortly followed by a studio album recording with Scott Hamilton. Matyas has released a new trio record this year with Dave Green and Steve Brown.
Steve Brown is a British jazz drummer originally from Manchester. His career began in the 1990s, and he has since worked with notable artists such as Scott Hamilton, Barry Harris, Alan Barnes and Dave Newton, along with his involvement with The Echoes of Ellington band. He has been recognized with several prestigious awards throughout his career. Notably, he has won the British Jazz Award for Best Drummer multiple times, including in 2007, 2009, and 2013.
