Matt Anderson – Tenor Saxophone

Quentin Collins – Trumpet

Sam Watts – Piano

Oli Hayhurst – Double-Bass

Sam Gardner – Drums

Wild Flower Quintet celebrates the 60^th anniversary of Wayne Shorter’s classic recordings for Blue Note Records with an all-star line-up. Led by saxophonist Matt Anderson, the group plays original music inspired by Shorter’s sound and approach, alongside new arrangements of both his classic and lesser-known compositions. Their 2015 album Wild Flower was described by Selwyn Harris in Jazzwise as “Their own unique stamp on Shorter’s very personal repertoire… of a quality that resonates with its inspirational source… Enjoyably un-pretentious.”

Born in the North Yorkshire Moors, the son of a music teacher, saxophonist and Dankworth Prize-winning composer Matt Anderson has lived in London since 2015. Since his debut with Wild Flower, he has made three further albums with the Matt Anderson Quartet, with the latest Live at Leeds Jazz Festival released in 2024 to glowing reviews, including four stars in Jazzwise, and airplay on BBC Radio 3. Extensive touring with this group has also seen them perform in venues like Jamboree, Barcelona and Bimhuis, Amsterdam.

Becoming part of the fertile jazz scene in the capital, Anderson has performed with artists/bands such as the Gareth Lockrane Big Band, Jamie Doe’s The Magic Lantern, Will Vinson and Ivo Neame. He has also toured in New Zealand, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. In 2023, he was made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music for contributions to the music industry, and he is proud to be a D’Addario artist.

Press Quotes

“This is sophisticated stuff, with a proper handle on Shorter’s post-bop genius… Everyone plays superbly and the whole set is wholly recommended.” Jazz Journal *****

“a well-integrated, swinging and supremely confident ensemble… [with] a soulful depth to his musicality that underpins the academic attention to detail” Jazzwise ****

“a terrific live set. Individually and collectively, the performances are first-rate. Anderson takes his influences… but adds his own freshness and open approach showing a vibrant, warm tone throughout.” All About Jazz ***½