Ashley Slater's Heptet

Ashley Slater is heading back to Brighton on 3 June 2026 for a performance at Komedia. If you have followed the local music scene for a while, you might recognise his name from his work with groups like Loose Tubes, Microgroove, Freak Power, Big Lounge, or Kitten and The Hip. Having moved to Germany five years ago, this show marks a return to the city for the musician. He is bringing a new band, which he has titled the Ashley Slater’s Heptet, though it is worth noting that the group is actually a six-piece ensemble rather than seven.

The lineup features Jan Korinek on the Hammond organ and Oli Lipenský on drums, alongside Nick Etwell on trumpet, Julian Nicholas on tenor sax, and Nichola Pope on baritone sax. Slater himself will be on trumpet and vocals. The sound they are putting together draws on a mix of jazz classics and original material. Slater has described the musical direction as having influences from Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker, but with what he calls 'more mischief'—or, in his own words, 'Gerry Mulligan with better drugs'. It is a specific approach to the arrangements that aims to balance traditional jazz structures with a different kind of energy.

The setlist for the evening is quite varied, covering tracks from artists such as Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Benny Golson, and Grace Jones, alongside pieces from his own previous projects like Freak Power and Big Lounge. It is a blend of jazz standards and original compositions that reflects his career history. The band has mentioned that they are encouraging the audience to get involved during the performance, specifically suggesting that people bring their voices and perhaps even some spoons to join in. It should be an interesting evening at Komedia for anyone interested in seeing how these different influences come together in a live setting, especially given the specific mix of musicians Slater has assembled for this project.