Band Biographies:
Fiona Kalin – Vocals
Fiona started her recording and singing career with the Renaissance Singers in Belfast, and as part of this group toured the UK, winning the Montreux International Choral Festival in 1986, followed in 1987 with the album Advent to Easter. She applies her vocal talents to a wide range of musical styles including blues, jazz, african, 60’s/70’s R&B, and covers. Her passion for jazz and swing is clear when performing with the FigiroQuartet whom she has been with since 2018.
Gilmour MacLeod – Piano
Gilmour studied music at Trinity College of music in London. As a soloist he performed the Grieg piano concerto at St John’s Smith Square and his diverse talents saw him playing jazz standards at the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall. He toured England with a clarinet trio and now back in his homeland Scotland supports musical theatre, plays for silent films and though equally at home with classical and jazz, jazz is his passion playing and he loves playing with the Figiro Quartet.
Robert Kalin – Double Bass
Bob studied music theory and conducting at the State University of New York in the early 1980s.
In the past decade he has focused mainly on bass guitar, playing blues, jazz, and covers on a range of electric and acoustic instruments. He is the curator of the Beacon Arts Centre Jazz Club, and spends spare time mixing, mastering and producing.He finds playing with the Figiro Quartet a wonderful opportunity to work with exceptional musicians.
John Patton – Drums
John is an accomplished Jazz drummer who has shared the stage with a range of Scottish Jazz artists such as Brian Molley, Konrad Wiszniewski and Stuart Gorman. He was away from the Scottish Jazz scene for over a decade before returning to Inverclyde from Islay in 2022 and joining the Figiro Quartet
After a short interval Jazzmain will take the stage to perform some standard tunes. Jazzmain is a band consisting of seasoned veterans of the Scottish Jazz scene with a versatile swinging style that has been honed over years of playing together.
Band Biographies:
Nick Gould – (tenor sax)
An exceptional tenor saxophonist who has been high in demand on the Scottish jazz circuit since 1998.
He is a fluent improviser, comfortable in every environment whether it be a small group or big band.
He has appeared at The North Sea Jazz Festival, as well as festivals in Cork, Doonbeg, Chamonix, Montreux and Isle of Bute amongst many others.
Steve Grossart – (piano/keys)
Steve began his career early in life by taking on classical piano and trumpet by the age of ten.
He turned professional at 15, by which time he was already making a name for himself as a very versatile and in-demand pianist. In the last 30 years, Steve has played many genres of music from Big Band to Ceilidh and is a full-time music tutor and live performer.
Iain Harkness – (electric 5-string bass)
Iain started playing the accordion at the age of five, winning the Under 18 Scottish Championships at the age of 14, when he also took up double bass, moving soon after onto bass guitar. He then moved onto playing in clubs at the age of 16 playing his 76 Fender Precision Bass (which he still has). Iain is very much in demand as one of the country’s most inventive bass players.
Kevin Dorrian – (drums and percussion)
One of the busiest drummers on the Scottish Jazz scene and promoter of Whighams Jazz Club, Edinburgh.
Renowned for his verve and driving, powerful and inventive swing feel, he is regularly ‘in-demand’ across Scotland and the North of England at jazz clubs and festivals.
These two fantastic bands promise to bring our festival to a swinging finish
NOTE EARLIER TIMES – Doors open 6.30 for 7.00 pm.
Tickets £13 from Ticket Source (booking fee for online tickets) or £15 at the door. Tickets can be reserved for payment at the door via info@langtounjazz.co.uk New for 2023, contactless payment will be available on the door.
