MUSICIAN PROFILES
All the musicians come from South Wales, but are happy to commit to bookings anywhere in the UK mainland. Together they provide a unique, very special jazz/swing sound
Keith Marshall
MD/Music Arranger/Piano
Keith is responsible for most of the repertoire's arrangements for the Little Big Band and and its smaller ensembles. He has written arrangements for groups in studios, theatre and for private hires. Keith was very popular in SE England, where he managed the much larger 'Keith Marshall Orchestra'
Sarah Benbow
Vocals
Sarah is the band's principal singer for both the big band and its smaller ensembles. She has a career as a musical director in her own right, and is much sought after for events around the country. Sarah’s singing repertoire is large and varied, and ideally suits the live performances that Keith manages
John Rodge
Guitar and Bass Guitar
John is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music. He plays rhythm guitar with the Little Big Band and bass guitar with some of the smaller ensembles. John is a guitar enthusiast, an exceptional jazz soloist, and an active teacher in the local community
Chris Rose
Bass Guitar
Chris is a music graduate and an active teacher. He is a trained pianist and capable music arranger with some lively band arrangements to his credit in the repertoire. Chris also manages and plays in his own covers pop/rock band
David James
Drums/Percussion
Dave is an outstanding, capable and skilled drummer. He is an accomplished music reader and expert soloist, with a wealth of professional experience. He provides the solid rhythm base for both the Little Big Band and all its smaller ensembles
Andy Jackson
Saxophones/Clarinet
Andy is one of the two great reed players in the front line. He is at home on a variety of different reed instruments, and provides a powerful top line for much of the band's sound. Andy is known for his fluent jazz improvisations. He is also an active music teacher when he is not playing in bands
Chris Ryan
Saxophones/Clarinet
Chris is another music graduate and is much in demand by several different bands throughout Wales. He also provides some memorable solo improvisations in the Little Big Band as well as in the smaller ensembles. Chris also plays regularly in a local covers pop/rock band
Scott Pickrell
Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Earlier in his life Scott played in brass bands before studying trumpet at The Welsh Academy of Music in Cardiff. He is an outstanding and powerful lead trumpet, capable of a huge range of notes. Scott doubles on the flugelhorn when required, which provides a unique sound
Rob Owen
Trombone
Rob is a front-line brass player who has helped transform the Little Big Band sound into a real force. He has huge musical theatre experience, has a great range in his playing, and is a very versatile musician. Rob's expert trombone skills provide increased depth to the band's overall sound
MORE ABOUT KEITH MARSHALL
The Keith Marshall Little Big Band - once known as ‘The Swing Machine’ - has wowed audiences for many years, providing vibrant programmes of jazz, swing, big band and popular ballad music across the country. In particular the band has been featured on the South of England circuit, playing alongside some of the big names of the time. Many of the band’s arrangements are written in the style of Count Basie and Duke Ellington, producing a big sound that is much larger than the band’s name suggests. The band also owes its success to its vocalists, and currently features Sarah Benbow, who is also well known in classical circles. Sarah is also a leading soloist with the ‘Bella Voce’ ladies choir.
Keith is responsible for almost all of the musical arrangements. He has written for - and played with - a large variety of other ensembles and popular groups in both studio and theatre, especially in the South of England. It was here that the larger Keith Marshall Orchestra featured in what were hugely popular Sunday evening concerts at the Adeline Genée Theatre in East Grinstead in Sussex, backing well known artistes such as Lesley Crowther and Bobby Crush. Sadly this theatre is now closed. Keith has also featured as a solo lounge pianist in such places as the Waldorf Hotel in London, and many similar venues.
As can be seen in the musicians profile summaries above, some of Wales’ most in-demand and versatile jazz musicians have committed themselves as regular members of The Keith Marshall Little Big Band, making it a sought-after experience for many different types of events, including corporate functions, weddings, festivals, balls, dances, and a variety of other party occasions in Wales and throughout the UK.