Chris Bridges performs regularly with The Night Creatures, 52 Skidoo and Baked a la Ska, as well as enjoying working with David Braid in the UK Sinfonia Collective, and with the London Jazz Composers Orchestra. His composition work has included music for his own story, I Have a Duck Who Can Roar, which was commissioned by the Marsden Jazz Festival.
Keith Phillips is a guitarist and researcher with a debilitating interest in philosophy, causing his reputation for a cerebral yet tongue in cheek style. Often cursed with at least one thought too many, Keith has developed an intense approach to writing music. He has played in various ensembles in different styles for quite a while really, including appearances with Cusp, String and Bone, Get the Blessing and That Meets This.
Dave Tompkins started playing bass guitar in rock bands at the age of 16. In 1984 he joined up with Brian Grantham (ex Slaughter & The Dogs), Peter Nichols (ex IQ) and Dave Bennett to form Niadem’s Ghost. They realeased one album, In Sheltered Winds(Giant Electric Pea Label). In 1987 he left the band in order to study jazz & improvisation and started playing double bass in 1989/90. Since then he has been an active player on the jazz & latin circuit in the North West. Regular bands have included D’Semble, Eddie Robert’s Organisation, Basil Clarke (ex Yargo), Johnny Dangerously (John Bramwell from I Am Kloot), The Moochers, The Gary Boyle Quartet, The Nat Birchall Quartet, Mike Hope’s Jazzmahoot, & RSL. He started playing with Christian Weaver’s La Timbala in 1998 playing in all it’s myriad incarnations from a 5 piece up to the 27 piece Orquestra. He joined Mojito in 2010 having worked with most of the members in other bands. Current bands include his own quartet, The Bowline Ensemble; his trio Lifemask Trio (playing bass guitar with Graham South, trp & Anton Hunter, gtr); Cusp with Keith Phillips and Chris Bridges; Ducie, and Peter Glennie & The Hitchcock Orchestra In 2010 he was recording and rehearsing a new flamenco project with Joe Botham from RSL. In early 2013 he recorded with Folk duo Bluebell Would, produced by Tim Bazell. In 2016 Recorded with Kirsty McGee He has also played with Byron Wallen, Peter King, Bobby Wellins, Dave O’Higgins, Art Themen, Tony Kofi & Roger Beaujolais.
Hugh Lawrence is a versatile jazz drummer with 20 years’ experience as a professional musician. Equally at home playing Drumkit, Congas, & Latin Percussion, Hugh has worked with numerous bands, artists & soloists, from British Jazz luminaries to visiting American “Mo Town legends”. Currently Hugh divides his work between performing, teaching and running a small business in the drum accessory market.
Cusp Quartet 