Luke Bainbridge’s second album PETSTEP weaves avant chamber jazz and improv into a palindromic, emotionally charged cycle shaped by grief and growth. Following the critically acclaimed Surface Tension, the lineup of Huw V Williams (bass), Ralph Wyld (vibraphone), Kieran McLeod (trombone) and Luke Bainbridge (drums) returns to double down on the quartet's “distinct and identifiable voice” (Jazz Views). In this new set of compositions, Bainbridge reflects on the difficult first steps of adulthood, following the loss of a family pet. With influences ranging from MF DOOM to Olivier Messiaen, PETSTEP channels experimental composition, hip-hop energy and virtuosic contemporary jazz interplay into a bold and inventive album.

London-born Alex Hitchcock is a leading international voice on the saxophone. An Ivor Novello-nominated composer and described by The Guardian as a “virtuoso” saxophonist, his innovative collaborations have confirmed a growing reputation as a catalyst for musical encounters that continually push the envelope a little further. Hitchcock has released music as a leader on New Soil, Edition Records, Whirlwind Recordings, and Fresh Sound New Talent. Dream Band: Live in London (2023) was Jazzwise Editor’s Album of the Year. Recognition for his work includes the Peter Whittingham Award, the Conad Jazz Prize at the Umbria Jazz Festival, selection for Sound and Music’s 2026 In Motion cohort, and appearing on the 2026 DownBeat Rising Star Tenor Saxophone list. Working between London and New York resulted in Letters From Afar (2025), which was selected as a Stereogum and NPR Album of the Week. He arranged and performed on Jasper Høiby’s 2025 release We Must Fight, reworking the landmark Phronesis catalogue for an oud, flute, and saxophone frontline. His work has been featured by the BBC, France Musique, WDR, JazzFM, Worldwide FM, and in publications including DownBeat, MOJO, Jazzwise, The Guardian, Musica Jazz, Stereogum, and Uncut. His music is at times intense and chaotic, at others disarmingly sparse and emotionally direct, inspired by the radical tradition of Black American music.

 

Hitchcock has become known for distinctive contributions in a wide variety of musical contexts. He has played, recorded and toured with artists across generations, including Dave Adewumi, Maria Chiara Argirò, Jeff Ballard, CHERISE, Chris Cheek, Empirical, Sun-Mi Hong, Jasper Høiby, Jongkuk Kim, Lex Korten, Ant Law, Alice Leggett, Kirk Lightsey, Myele Manzanza, Sabeth Pérez, Harish Raghavan, Alexandra Ridout, Dabin Ryu, Jesse van Ruller, and Nasheet Waits. He tours across the UK, Europe, and North America with his own quartet, performing at major venues and festivals including Ronnie Scott’s, the Barbican, the Royal Albert Hall, Glastonbury, Bimhuis, the North Sea Jazz Festival, Jazz à Vienne, the Umbria Jazz Festival, the Rochester International Jazz Festival, and Love Supreme.

 

'A big presence on the British scene as both an astonishingly quickthinking virtuoso, and an increasingly creative bandleader/composer' – Jazzwise

 

‘He’s evolved such musicality, death-defying facility, and this capacious artistic vision, with such an original and emotive approach to improvisation’ – Soweto Kinch, BBC Radio 3
 

Sliding-scale ticket options:

Please note: ALL ticket prices are for general admission, with all seats unreserved and first-come-first-served.

 

High note: £25.00

Cool cat: £20.00

Standard jam: £15.00 

Students & MU members: £7.50 [ID required]

 

As always, carers go free, call the box office to book: 020 7258 2925