JAZZNIGHTS Joy Ellis Quintet
‘Contemporary jazz piano playing of studied elegance and constantly absorbing interest.’ Jazz Journal

Joy Ellis: vocals/piano

Mike De Souza: guitar

Jonny Wickham: double bass

Adam Osmianski: drums

Phil Meadows: saxophone

For our first concert in the JAZZNIGHTS series on September 27 we are delighted to welcome back to Wainsgate the composer, pianist and singer Joy Ellis who performed to great acclaim at the Chapel in 2023 with her trio. Her return visit features the Joy Ellis Quintet in which the trio has now been expanded to include guitar and saxophone.

Based in London, Joy has toured all over the UK performing her original music supported by the Arts Council England and Help Musicians UK Performance. Highlights include the Manchester, Cheltenham and London Jazz Festivals, the Roundhouse in Camden and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.

As a leader, Joy has released three critically acclaimed albums of her original compositions. Her most recent release ‘Peaceful Place’ was featured as Editor’s Choice in UK in Jazzwise Magazine – and she is now excited to be releasing her fourth studio album entitled One Hundred Years this autumn.

Her music fuses jazz harmony and improvisation with classical and groove-based influences, continuing her exploration of song-based contemporary jazz. Joy is heavily influenced by artists such as Esperanza Spalding, Camila Meza and Joni Mitchell.

‘Fantastically wistful ambiance and beautiful voice.’ BBC Radio 3

‘Fiery improvisations from Ellis who provides well-structured hard-bop solos on piano and Fender Rhodes.’ John Lewis, The Guardian ★★★★

‘Stylish maturity of composition and playing.’ Tony Benjamin, Jazzwise ★★★★ (Editor’s Choice)

Guitarist Mike De Souza has worked with internationally recognised musicians including Byron Wallen, and has featured on numerous recordings. In 2017, he co-released the album Pond Life as part of the group Big Bad Wolf, which was ranked 3rd in Jazzwise Magazine’s Top 10 Albums of the Year and received widespread critical acclaim: Mike currently leads a quintet performing music from his 2025 EP Schism, as well as his other releases.

Bassist, composer and band leader, Jonny Wickham has worked with critically acclaimed world music ensembles such as Caravela, Waaju, Juanita Euka, and Samba Azul – plus jazz artists Burnheart, Alex Western King, Ian Shaw and The London Jazz Orchestra.

Phil Meadows is a multi-award-winning saxophonist and composer whose music fuses jazz improvisation with cinematic harmony, global rhythms, and contemporary grooves. His work has been featured on BBC Radio 3, Jazz FM, and praised in The Guardian, Jazzwise, and All About Jazz for its originality, emotional depth, and adventurous spirit.

Adam Osmianski is a Pittsburgh-born, London-based drummer working across jazz, Brazilian music, and groove-based contemporary styles. His playing is grounded in jazz language, with the flexibility to move between straight-ahead jazz, improvisation-led projects, and more production-focused contexts.

‘Contemporary jazz piano playing of studied elegance and constantly absorbing interest.’ Jazz Journal