Q.H.C.B. (Quartet of the Hot Club of Bournemouth), formed in 2023, plays music in the Hot Club/Gypsy Jazz-style, drawing it’s set list from the extensive repertoire of the composers and musicians who have popularised this genre, including the legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt. They also play some contemporary tunes in the Hot Club/Gypsy Jazz style. Q.H.B.C members, based in the Bournemouth area, have a wealth of experience as working musicians in the local music scene.
Simon Newton: Guitar/Vocals
Simon is an experienced all-round guitarist and accompanist who has performed extensively in the South of England with various rock, jazz bands and guitar/vocal duos since the early 80’s. He is a freelance musician, composer, professional guitar teacher and guitarist/occasional vocalist with popular local jazz band Swing Easy. His main influences are Django Reinhardt, Joe Pass, Tuck Andres and too many rock guitarists to mention!
John Belben: Guitar
John was the first musician to join Simon during the formation of Q.H.C.B. He has played with a variety of bands in the Bournemouth area and apart from forming an integral part of the QHCB Hot Club sound is guitarist with the Charlie Farran Blues Band.
Ray Russell: Double Bass
Ray started his bass playing career at age 16, his initial musical influences being 60’s pop music and blues, diversifying later into Prog Rock. Joining a big swing band playing Glen Miller and 30’s & 40’s music, he fell in love with the double bass and the big sound of the brass section. Alongside this, he started to play in several trad jazz bands. Moving to Poole, he gradually got involved with the local music scene and has acted as “dep” for several bands, playing rock and roll rockabilly, blues, jazz, rhythm and blues and swing. Ray also plays with the Chimneyfish duo and the Charlie Farran Blues Band.
Gill Tolliday: Violin
Gillian is a professional freelance violinist – as a soloist and in small bands – playing Classical, Irish, Folk and Pop for weddings and Jazz Duo for receptions. She played swing and jazz classics in local bands in Portsmouth pubs before moving to Bournemouth in 1998. In 2003 she joined the gypsy jazz band Swing 39 – a band which Simon Newton also joined two years later. Gill says that “The ‘Hot Tub of Bournemouth ‘experience is bubbly, warm and relaxing!”
Contact Details: Simon Newton simonnewton22@aol.com 07801 513776